/S'. 3. C. 3^0. '* \ n i v * % ‘ A . ) i J / 1 % / \ \ I PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS, GIVING SOME ACCOUNT O F T H E Prefent Undertakings, Studies, and Labours, O F T H E INGENIOUS. IN MANY Confiderable Parts of the WORLD. VOL. XL VIII. Part II. For the Year 1754. LONDON; Printed for C. Davis, Printer to the Royal Society, over-againft Grafs- Inn Gate , in Holbourn. M. DCC. LV. . I . PHILOSOPHICAL ' ■ •> • T *T YT’ TRANSACTIONS. The CONTENTS. Part II. VOL. XLVIII. LVIII. A Treat ife on the Precefpon of the Equi- noxes, and in general on the Motion of the Nodes , and the Alteration of the Inclination of the Orbit of a Planet to the Ecliptic. Infcribeit to the Gentlemen of the Royal Society, by M. De St. Jaques Silvabellc. Tranfated from the French M. S. by J. Bevis, M. D. Page 385V LIX. A Letter to the Right Honourable George Earl of Macclesfield, P. R. S. concerning the Ages of Homer and Hefiod. By George Coftard, M. A. p. 441. LX. An additional Remark to one of Mr. William Watfon, F. R. S. in his Account of the Abbe . Nollet’j Letter concerning Electricity. By Tho» Birch, D. H. Seer. R. S. p. 484. LXP. Extract of a Letter of the Reverend Mr.. jofeph Spence, Profejfor of Modern Hijlory in the TJniverfity of Oxford, to Dr. Mead, F. R. S . LXII. A Letter to the Right Honourable George Earl of Macclesfield, P. R. S. concerning the Va- lue of an Annuity for Life , and the Probability p. 486. p. 487. LXIIL CONTENTS. LXIII. A Letter to Mr. Peter Collinfon, F. R. S* concerning the Pheafant of Penfyl vania, and the Otis Minor. By Mr. George Edwards, p. 499. LXIV. A Letter to Mr. Peter Collinfon, F. R. S . concerning a Species of Corallines. By Mr. J ohrt Ellis, F. R. S. p. yo4, LXV. Obfervations on the late fevere cola JVea- ther. By William Arderon, F. R. S. and Henry Miles, D. D. F. R. S. p. 507. LX VI. A Letter from Monfeur Dc rifle, of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, to the Reverend James Bradley, D. D. AJlronomer Royal , and Savilian Profeffor of Aftrouomy at Oxford. Tranflated from the French. p. yi2. LXVII. Defcription of a Piece of Mu' han't fm con- trived by James Fcrgufor., for exhibiting the 'Time, Duration , and Quantity , of Solar Eclipfes , in all Places of the Earth. p. 520. I.X VIII. A Letter from the Reverend Henry Miles, ‘ D . D. F. R. S. to Mr. John Canton, F. R. S. concerning the late hard IVeather. p. y2y. LXIX. A Catalogue of the Fifty Plants from Chelfea- Garden, prefented to the Royal Society by the worjbipful Company of Apothecaries, for the Tear 175*3. Purfuant to the Dir eft ion of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. Fled. Reg. & Soc. Reg . nu- per Praf j by John Wilmer, M. D. Clarijf. So- c.etatis Pharmaceut. Lend. Soc. Hort. Chelf. Pratf. & Prat left. Botan. p. 5-28. LXX- An Account of fame Experiments upon a Machine for meafuring the IVay of a Ship at Sea. By Mr. J. Smeaton, F. R. S. p. 532. LXXI. Ob fervat tones Eclipfium Satellitum Jovts habit a UliJJipone in Regali Collegio BeatiJJimec Virginis CONTENTS. Virginia d neceffitatibus , diftee a Joanne Che- v altar, Frasbytero Secular i Congregationis Ora- tor it, Anno p. 546. LXXII. Obfervario Solis defeftus UHJJlpone habita, in z_yEde Beatiffimte Virginis a neceffitatibus , nuncupate a Joanne Chevalier , Frasbytero Con- gregationis Oratorii , die 2 6° Oftobris 1753. p. 546. LXXllI. An Account of fome aftronomical Objer- vations taken at Lisbon by M. John Chevalier, in the Tear 1753. By James Short, M. A. and F. R. S. > p. 548. LXXIV. An Explanation of a new Injlrument for meajuring fmall Angles , the firft Account of which was read before the Royal Society May 1 o, 1 75'3- By Mr. John Dollond. In a Letter to James Short, M. A. and F. R. S. p. yyi. LXXV. An Account of an Earthquake felt at York on the 19th of April 1754. In a Letter from Mr. David Erskine Baker to Tho. Birch, D. D. Secret. R. S. p. 564. LXXVI. An Invejligation of fome Theorems which juggeft fome remarkable Properties of the Circle , and are of Uje in refolving Fractions, whofe *. Denominators are certain Multinomials , into more fimple ones. By Mr. John Landen. p. 566. LXXVI I. An Account of an extraordinary Llifeafe of the Skin , and its Cure. Extracted from the Italian of Carlo Crufio; accompanied with a Let- ter of the Abbe Nollet, F. R. S. to Mr. William Watfon, F. R. S. by Robert Watfon, M. D. F.R.S* ?• $79° [3 bi 1 LXXVIII, CONTENTS. LXXVIII. Experiments concerning the Ufe of the Agaric of Oak in flopping of Hemorrhages. p. f88. LXXIX. Defer ipt ion of a new ‘Pyrometer, with a Table of Experiments made therewith. By Mr. J. Smeaton, F.RS . p. 5-98. LXXX. A Remark concerning the Sex of Holly. By Mr. ]ohn Marty n, F. R. S. Profeffor of Bo- tany in the Univerftty 0/* Cambridge. p. 613. LXXX I. A Continuation of the Account of the Weather in Madeira. By Dr. Thomas Heberdcn, F. R. S. • p. 61/. LXXX 11. Ob fer vat ions upon Father IvircherV Opi- nion concerning the burning of the Fleet of Mar- celius by Archimedes. By James Parfons, M. D. F.R.S. p.621. LXXXIIL An Account of fever al Bones of an Ele- phant found at Leyfdown in the IJland of Shep- pey. In Two Letters from Mr. Jacob, Surgeon at Fevcrfham, to James Parfons, M. D. F. R. S. dated May 24, 175-4. p. 62.6. LXXXIV. A Letter from Mr. John Ellis, F.R.S. to Air. Peter Collinfon, F. R. S. concerning the animal Life of thofe Corallines, that look like minute Trees , and grow upon Oyfters and Fuchs s all round the Sea-coaft of this Kingdom, p. 627. LXXXV. Extraft of a Letter from Camillo Pa- derni, Keeper of the Mufeum Herculaneum, to Tho. Holies, Ejq-, dated at Naples, April 27, *77 4- ^ P* <>34* LXXXV I. Experimental Examination of a white metallic Subftance , J'aid to be found in the Gold Mines of the Spanilh Weft-Indies, and there known CONTENTS. known by the Appellation of Platina, Platina di Pinto, Juan Blanca. By William Lewis, M. B. F.R.S. p.638. LXXXV1I. An Explication of all the Infer ipt ions in the Palmyrene Language and Character hi - therto publifhed. In five Letters from the Re- verend Mr. John Swinton, M. A. of Chrift- Church, Oxford, F.R.S. to the Reverend Tho- mas Birch, D. D. Secret . R. S. p. 690. LXXXVIII. Extract of a Letter from John Lining, M. D. of Charles Town, in South Carolina, to Charles Pinckney, Efcji in London: IVith his Anfwers to fever al Queries Jent to him concern- ing his Experiment of Electricity with a Kite . P* 7f7- LXXXIX. An Anfwer to Dr. LiningT Query re- lating to the Death of Profejfor Rjchman. By Mr. William Watfon, F. R. S. p. y6f. XC. Extract of a Letter from John Henry Wink- ler, Profeffor of Natural Philofophy at Leipfic, and Fellow of the Royal Society , to Thomas Birch, D. D. Secretary of the Royal Society , relating to Two electrical Experiments ; tranfi lated from the Latin. p. 772. XCI. An Account of a Fire-Ball, feen at Hornley, by William Hirft, F. R. S. communicated in a Letter to Samuel Mead, Efq-, F.R.S. p. 773. XCI I. A Letter from Monfieur Clairaut, Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, and F.R. S. to Thomas Birch, D D. Secret. R. S. containing a Comparifon between the Notions of M. de Courtivron and Mr. Mclvil, concerning the Difference of Ref tangibility of the Rays of Light. p. 776. XCIII. CONTENTS. XCIII. A Letter to the Right Honourable the Earl of Macclesfield, Prefident of the Royal Society , concerning fome new elehlrical Experiments , by John Canton, M. A. and F. R. S. p. 780. XCIV. Part of a Letter from Cheney Hart, M. D. to William Watfon, F. R. S. giving fome Ac- count of the Effi his of Elehiricity in the County Hofpital at Shrewsbury. p. 786. XCV. A Letter from the Reverend William Erakcnridge, H.H.and F.R.S. ^George Lewis Scot, Efq'y F. R. S. concerning the Number of Inhabitants within the London Bills of Morta- lity. p. 788. XCVI. A Letter from Mr. William Watfon, F. R. S. to Charles Gray, of Colchefter, Efq\ F.R.S. in relation to a large Calculus fund in a Mare. p. 800. XCV1I. A Differtaticn on the Bclemnites, in a Letter to Smart Lcthieullicr, Efuire , F. R. S. by Mr. Guftavus Brander, F. R. S. p. 803. XCV1II. Some Obfervations upon the Agaric, lately applied after Amputations , with regard to the determining its Species. By Mr. William Wat- fon, F R. S. p. 81 1. XCIX. Two Letters concerning the Ufe of Agaric, as a Styptic. One from Mr. jofeph Warner, F. R. S. and Surgeon to Guy V Hofpital , to Tho. Birch, H. D. Seer. R. S. the other to Mr. Jo- ieph Warner. p. 813. C. Extract of a Letter from Monf. Bonnet, F. R. S. of Geneva, to John Clcphane, M. D. F. R. S. tranfate d from the French. p. 818. Cl. Extrahl of a Letter from Conftantinoplc, of the 1 6th of September 1754, from Murdock Mackenzie, CONTENTS. Mackenzie, M. k ... . - 1 - ' ’ .\h.v *• . .t K' '• ' [ 385 ] LVIII. A treat if e on the preceffion of the equi- noxesr, and in general on the motion of the nodes , and the alteration of the inclina- tion of the orbit of a planet to the ecliptic . Infcnbed to the gentlemen of the Royal Society, by M, De St. Jaques Silvabelle. Tranjlated jrom the French M. S. by J. Bevis, M. D. Introduction. Read March 12, 1752. IF the earth were perfedtly fpherical, the adtion of the fun on all the parts which compofe it, would not produce any effedt to make it turn round its centre ; becaufe the moment, which would be produced on one fide, would be always counterbalanced by an equal moment on the oppofite fide of the centre. It would be the fame, if the earth were a fpheroid flatted at the poles, and the fun was always in the equator, or in the ninetieth degree of declination : But in every other degree of declination its adtion on the excefs of matter about the equator has a tendency to make the equator approach towards the fun’s place, or to diminifh the angle of the fun’s declination, by making the earth’s axis to turn round its centre in the plane of the circle of the fun’s declination. The earth has then, at every inflant, two motions of rotation ; one about the axe of the equator, called ilfo the earth’s axe 5 and this is the diurnal motion, C c c which [ 386 ] which is uniform ; the other motion of rotation is performed about the axe of the circle of the fun’s declination, which is a diameter of the equator j and this motion is produced by the adion of the fun on the redundant matter about the equator, and is conti- nually accelerated, from the continual application of the folar adion producing it. The point E, Jig. i. n° 2. which is the interfedion of the circumference of the equator and the circum- ference of the circle of declination, has two motions, whofe diredions are perpendicular to each other. Let Ee be the fpace, which it runs through in an in- fant d t, in the circumference of the equator, by the uniform diurnal motion, and let E e be the fpace it runs through in the fame inf ant, in the circumference of the circle of declination, by an accelerated motion, as has been explained. The point E, in vertue of thcfe two motions E e and E g, will not circulate either in the circumference £ e i^/' QE of the equator, or in the circumference EeP E‘ P E of the circle of declination, but forming the redangular parallelogram E e e g, the diagonal E e will be the elementary arc of the circumference E eqE\ in which the point E will circulate, and the angle e E e will be equal to the angle QJC q, and equal to the angle P' C p' which the pole P' runs through in an in- fant in the circumference P'p' Qjq P whofe plane is perpendicular to the plane of the circle of decli- nation ; and when the lines Ee, Ee are known at every infant, P p' will alfo be known, fince the angle e E e1 = to the angle ^ C q = to the angle F Cp'. The T/m/os. Trans. Vol. XLVUL TAB.X3K. Taj. i . JVf 2 . /J.3S6 . l/c . E J.-Mifftr/e j'cu//i . [ 387 ] The inftantaneous motion of the pole, which is P' p\ or Pp, fig. 2. rfi.&rfi*. may be refolved into two, P R and P M, perpendicular to each other, and both to the earth’s axe. The former caufes the pole P to move parallel to the ecliptic T © vr, and alters the place of the folftice & , and confequently alfo that of the equino&ial points T and ; the latter, which is according to P alters the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic. To have the motion of the pole parallel to the ecliptic, or, which is the fame, the motion of the node r, or the preceffion, in the fame time that the fun paffes from the equinox r to the folftice $ , take the integral of the lines P R , fuppofing P R gene- rally to exprefs the inftantaneous preceffion for any declination of the fun S. And to have the alteration of the inclination in the fame time that the fun is paffing from r to take the fum, or the integral of the lines P My fuppofing P M generally to exprefs the inftantaneous alteration of the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic for any given declination of the fun. The fum of the lines PR is always the fame, and has the fame fign, or the fame direction, during every quarter of the fun’s revolution, whether he moves from t to 5, or from s to tfs, or from as to vy, or from yp to t ; fo that the preceffion anfwering to any one quarter of the fun’s revolution about the earth, or to three months, being known, that multiplied by 4, will be the annual preceffion ; by 8 will give it for two years ; by 16 for 4 years, &c. C c c 2 Likewife * Fig, 2. is explained at the beginning of Preb. 5. t [ 388 3 Likewife the fum of the lines PM is ever the fame for every quarter of the folar revolution; but it has alternatively a contrary iign ; that is, a contrary di- rection. During the quarter from y to $, the altera- tion of the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic is pofitive, and the angle of the inclination increafes; but during the fucceeding quarter, or from £ to the alteration of the inclination is negative, and the angle of the inclination diminifhes : And as the di- minution from $ to ==; is equal to the augmentation from r to ®, it follows, that at the end of the femi- revolution the inclination of the earth's axe to the plane of the ecliptic will become again the fame, having undergone an ofcillation, which is completed in a femirevolution. It is the fame, when the fun paffes from to T . The angle of the inclination in- creafes from ^ to vp, anddecreafes from vp to T, where it becomes again the fame it was at -. And hence the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic may be confidered as conftant, tho’ fubjeCt to this ofcillation, and indeed to feveral others, which will be prefently explained, they being all regular, and performed in regular periods. The earth’s inclination to the ecliptic being con- ftant, and the motion of the pole which produces the preceffion, being always parallel to the plane of the ecliptic, the earth’s pole moves in a parallel to the ecliptic, about 23 degrees and a half diftant from the pole of the ecliptic, and the terreftrial axe de- fer ibes a conic furface. To this motion of the terreftrial axe or pole is to be aferibed the apparent motion of the ftars about the pole of the ecliptic. But C 389 ] But hitherto we have not confidered, that to the preceffion, thus caufed by the fun, we are to add that likewife produced by the moon ; and it remains, that we examine into the motion of the earth’s pole, caufed by the adtion of the moon on the redundant matter about the earth’s equator. All, that has been faid concerning the fun, is alike applicable to the moon, which we may put in the place of the fun ; the moon’s orbit in the place of the ecliptic ; and the time of the moon’g revolution round the earth in the place of the revolution of the fun round the earth : And we fhall find the motion of the earth’s pole parallel to the lunar orbit, which is always the fame at every quarter of the time of the revolution of the moon round the earth, and the ofcil- lation of the earth’s axe to the plane of the lunar or- bit, which is completed in each femire volution of the moon round the earth. But whereas the plane of the lunar orbit, which is always inclined to the plane of the ecliptic in an angle of about 5 degrees, never continues in a con- ftant pofition, like the plane of the ecliptic, fo that its pole defcribes a final! circle parallel to the ecliptic, at the diftance of about 5 degrees from the pole thereof ; it follows, that the preceffion, with refpedt to the lunar orbit, is not the fame as with refpedt to the ecliptic j and that the motion of the pole parallel to the lunar orbit ffiould be referred to the plane of the ecliptic : Which is done by rcfolving the motion of the pole, parallel to the plane of the lunar orbit, into two motions, the one parallel to the plane of the ecliptic, and the other perpendicular thereto, and in the plane of the folfticial colure. The [ 390 ] The former of thefe two motions gives the pre- ceffion with refpedt to the ecliptic, and has its di- rection always the fame way. The latter motion has two oppofite directions, in the two femirevolutions of the pole of the lunar orbit round the pole of the ecliptic, and caufes an ofcilla- tion of the terreftrial axe on the plane of the ecliptic, which is compleated in a revolution of the pole of the lunar orbit round the pole of the ecliptic. From all that has been laid, it follows, that there are five diftinCt motions of the pole of the earth ; namely, two of preceflion, which are parallel to the plane of the ecliptic, and three of ofcillation on the plane of the ecliptic. The two of preceffion are caufed, the one by the fun, the other by the moon. That, which is caufed by the fun, is conftantly the fame at every quarter of the time of the revolution of the fun round the earth, that is, every three months : That which is caufed by the moon, is conftantly the fame at every quarter of the time of the revolution of the moon round the earth ; that is, about every feven days. Of the three motions of ofcillation, one is caufed by the fun, and is completed in the time of the femi- $evolution of the fun round the earth, taken from one equinox to the following one; that is, in fix months. The other is caufed by the moon ; and each ofcil- lation is completed in the fpace of a femirevolution of the moon round the earth ; that is, in about 1 4 days. The third is caufed likewife by the moon, and arifes from the plane of her orbit being different from the plane of the ecliptic, and from the pole of the lunar orbit making its revolution about the pole of the . ecliptic [ 39i ] ecliptic!'- in about 18 years and two thirds. And this ofcillation is compleated in the time of the revolution of the pole of the lunar orbit about the pole of the ecliptic ; that is, in about 1 8 years and two thirds. It will appear in the memoir, that there is a relation purely geometrical between the quantity of the nu- tation, during the time of the femirevolution of the pole of the lunar orbit, and the quantity of the pre- cedion, caufed likewife by the moon in the fame time. This relation is quite independent of the force of the moon, of the quantity of the earth’s fl'atnefs, of the quantity of the terreftrial matter, and, in a word, of every thing of a phylical nature that can enter into the problem. We are content to examine the motions of the pole of the earth produced by the fun and the moon. The fame method, and the fame formula, will give likewife the motions of the terreftrial pole arifing from any other planet, as Saturn, Jupiter, &c. but thefe motions are too minute to merit attention. Whatever has been faid of the action of the fun on the redundant matter about the earth’s equator, is alfo applicable to his action on a limple ring placed at the equator, without adhering to the terreftrial globe ; and the motion of the pole of fuch ring may be determined by the fame method, and confequently the motion of its nodes on the plane of the ecliptic, and the alteration of the inclination of its axe to the fame plane. And fnce thefe motions are the fame, whether the ring be fuppofed entire, or a fmall por- tion of it only be confidered, or a mere point thereof, the motions of the nodes, and the alteration of the inclination of a moon, or a fatellite of a planet, may thereby 2 [ 392 ] thereby be known. And the formula differ in no- thing from thofe of the motion of the nodes of the earth’s equator, and of the alteration of the obliquity of the earth’s axe to the plane of the ecliptic, but in this j that the adtion of the fun on the ring to make it turn, is exerted entirely thereon whereas in the problem of the preceftlon this force mu ft neceffarily be diftributed throughout the whole mafs of the earth, on account of the adherence of the ring to the globe of the earth. DIVISION of the WORK. This memoir is divided into four fedtions. The i ft fedtion treats of the motion of the pole of the terreftrial equator caufed by the fun. The 2d fedtion treats of the motion of the pole of the terreftrial equator caufed by the moon. The 3d fedtion treats of the motion of the pole of a ring, or of the orbit of a moon, caufed by the fun. The 4th fedtion contains the application of the for- mula found in the other fedtions. SECT. I. Of the motion of the pole of the terrejlrial equator caufed hy the aSlioit of the fun . Problem I. Article 1. To find the moment, which refults from the attraction of each particle of the earth towards the fun, in the inverfe ratio op the fquare of the dijlance , to make the earth's axis turn upon its centre C. Let E F E F £, fg. 1. if 1. be the fedtion of the earth by the plane of the circle of the fun’s declina- tion ; [ 393 ] tion ; P EP' E' P the circumference whofe diameter is the earth’s equator, E E' or P P . Let E E' be perpen- dicular to P P’> and in the equator. Let 1 1 be per- pendicular to C S , and affome this diameter IT for the leaver to which all the moments are to be referred. The motion of any point, as g , towards the fun, is g =-j. By refolving this motion into two, one accord- Sg ing to gCy the other parallel to C S ; the motion ac- cording to g C has no tendency to make the point g turn round the centre C. The motion of the pointy ill r1 c mi i S SC S y. S C parallel to C o will be =; x tt— or ■ — ; but the sg1 SS S & motion of the centre C according to CS is =-. j SC therefore the relative motion of the point g, in regard i ^ - S x S C S ever1 gard to the centre C, is -==- 77-^ or b X b L x s £ b C The moment of the point £ to turn about the centre C, will therefore be S x S C x f =L- — =L- )xg*CI, 5 { sg sc y the moment being the product of the motion by the mafs of the body, and by the arm of the leaver. And this moment caufes the point I to approach to- wards the fun, when it is pofitive, or when S C is greater than S g j and caufes the point I to recede from the fun . when it is negative, or when Sg is greater than S C. D d d It [ 394 ] It will be found, in like manner, that the moment of the point g‘ to turn about the centre C, is S x SC x or with regard to the point I which is on the oppofite fide of the centre to the point /, this moment, by changing the figns, will be, Sx SCxf =7 — =JL- )xg' x C I = S x SCx V SC S g' y r==r-3 — ~r~i ) x o- x C I. Therefore the moment sc s g y ° of the two equal points g and g to caufe the point 1 to turn about the centre 6', is S x S C x f ==7 — ==7 ) [ Sg sc}y xgxCl + SxSCxf JL JxsxCI = g x C l*SxSCx(=p — = If the points y and y be taken equally diftant from the points D and D\ as the points g and g\ it will likewife be found, that the moment of the equal points y and y to caufe the point I to turn about the centre C, is y x C 1 x S x S C x f -^-3 J y x C 1 * Sx SCx f ==5 — =jFTi )• { sg sg y Therefore the moment of all the four points to- gether, g , g y y, y y to caufe the point I to tui n about the centre C> is(£ — y) *C1* S x S C x ^ =p —7 ), which [ 395 ] which becomes = © when the point g can be taken =■ y, as may be done throughout the whole extent of the circle PEP'E'P-, but if the zone EP' E' PEF'E FE be taken away from this circle, to have the true figure of the earth, we (hall have g — gf x gry and y — — yf * y £> taking the points g and y for the ele- ments of the zone, and g — y = gf x y g — g r, becaufe >/ = gf Let the lines C S and C P, or C E> be called s and <7, refpeftively ; the radius i, or unity ; the fine of the angle S C P, V-, its cofine, or the fine of the angle S CE , u i C K, x ; g K, y, g m, z y_M, z' ; gf or yf, d u ; P Fy a a ; we fhall have g n — a z-, yv — a z (by the property of the ellipfe) ; alfo calling g r, r ; and y £, g ; and regarding the little triangle g r n as a right-lined one, and fimilar to the triangle z g Cmy we fhall have r — — x a z, and likewife g = z' , — x a z . a By the proportion of fines to the fides of triangles, we fhall have y G = y V: C N — x u. Finally, if we confider the point S , or the fun, as at an infinite diftance, we fhall have Sg = SK=SC — C K = s — x, and S g' = S K — S C -f C A' = s -j- x. j3 -f- 3-r* -f $sx + x' Therefore =- D d d 2 *>g 6^# -J- 2x3 (i — *)J x (j+ *)5 6 x magnitudes, = [ 396 ] t | ' ; and, rejeding the infinitely fmall Therefore the moment wherewith the four points g, g\ y, y , caufe the point / to turn, will, by lubfti- tuting in the place of the letters their analytical va- (yX lues, b e. (odu — rdu)xSxyx — ; or putting, in- deed of ^andr, the values above found, we fhall have for the moment ( — z'z — — zz jxdaxSx yx \ a ay 6x 6 a 5 \ , 1 N-n = — — x y x d u x [z 4- z) x (z — z). But s3 s*a ' z -J- z = y M -j~ g m = 2 y G = 2 y V ■, and z — z — y M — g m — 2 G M — 2C N — 2 x u. There- fore (z' -f- z) x (55' — z) = 4. Vu x y ; and the mo* • 6 a 5 _ , ba^S rr > ment is — — x ± V uxx xy du — — —x/l Vu xxxdxu. s3 y s3 But in the circle D g I we have y d u = a d x, and , . (Sab . 6a.S _ . the moment is — — x^v u xxxy d * = — x 4, Vuxdx V aa — xx. But the integral o f x1 d x V aax x is x a af d x V aa — xx {a a — x x) % and when x — a , this integral is \ aa f d x V aa — xx , or, cal- ling the ratio of the circumference to the diameter 77 we fhall have f d x V aa — xx, or the area of the qua- drant whereof a is the radius, = ~ a ?r x ; a — a1 x. 6^ S ** Therefore the integral of — - x 4 . V u x x x d x y/ aa [ 397 ] V ad — XA7,or the fum of the moments of all the points which compofe the elliptic zone E P' E' P E F E1 F E . 6 a S V u 7r a+ is X . J3 * 4 If the terreftrial fpheroid be cut by any plane pa- rallel to the plane P E P' E' P of the circle of de- clination, fig. l. n 2. the fedion will be an ellipfe fimilar to the ellipfe E F1 E F E j and if the greater femiaxe c' L of this ellipfe be called X , it will be found, as has been already in the ellipfe E F' F F Ey that the fum of the moments of all the points of this ... r , r • 6a S UttX * elnpie to turn about its centre L, is — x . f o3 4 It has not been taken into confideration, that here the centre S of the fun is a little below the plane of the fedion, the line c S making an infenlible angle with the line C S. Calling C c;, the moment of all the fedions pa- rallel to E F' E' F E to turn about the axe C c will be the integral of ^—7- x 3 a S V UttX* x d T] or the inte- 1 f ^ U 7T , y~>y~\x l U 7T s;ral of - — - x x (aa Lx ) x d 7 — - — x x (<2+ d T — 2az 2 2 dT - f- T* d 2"), and this integral is 3-^ x X (<2+ T — 1 a"1 2~3 -f- } T5)-} and when V— a , the integral is 3 a S Vu . x ~ 0 1 x IT s. This is the fum of the moments of all the points of the hemifpheroid of the earth formed by the fed ion E P' E' P E of the circle of declination, and the fum of the moments of all the points of the whole fphe- [ 398 ] 2 ^ f roid to turn about the axe is 2— 7r x t87^5. Which was to be found. Corollary. 2. If it were required to find the fum of the mo- ments of all the points of a fingle crown E L^E1 ZE, fig. I. n° i. placed at the equator, and detached from the earth, to turn about the axe of the circle of the fun’s declination, the thicknefs of the crown be- ing a a : The moment of the point L to turn about c is the fame as that of the point y to turnabout Cy as is ma- nifeft from the refolution of the motion according to S L into two, Ly , and y S* ; and from the great diftance of the fun y S will not differ from L S 5 the triangle L y S being right-angled at y. By the preceding problem, if c L , or C Y ’ be called X-} and C c1, Y ; and all the other denominations of that problem be retained ; we fhall have yx. = Xuy zndCx. = XY. And the moment of the point y is y x y x x S x 3Cx(=*j— And putting inftead of y , the element of the crown, which is a a x d calling, in this cafe, d u the ele- ment of the circumference ELQE\ the moment of an element of the crown will be arz x x Vu x j3 * The lines S L and yS are not drawn in the 7%. to avoid con- fu’ion. XX chi [ 399 3 XXdu. But in the circle E QE1 E we have, Xdu = a d Tj therefore the moment of an element of the 3* i3 x a az V u v. crown is a a x ~ yVuxaxdX: s* d TV a a — XT, and the fum of the moments of xS the quadrant E of the crown is ^ x a a1 V u x xS \ a 7r x f a — y x a Vu x tt And every other quadrant of the crown having an equal motion, the fum of the moments of all the points of the crown, to turn, in vertue of the folar adion, about the axe ^L', is yjxa Vux tt a*. Problem II. 3. To find the fum of the moments of all the points of the terrefirial fpheroid turning about the axe the motion of the point E being given , and = jx. We mud firft feek the fum of the moments of all the points of the ellipfe EF'EFEy fig. 1. n° 2. turning about its centre C j and to have the fum of the moments of all the points of this ellipfe, we (hall firfi find the fum of the moments of all the points of the circle E P' E1 P E , and then we fhall fubdud therefrom the fum of the moments of the whole el- liptic zone EP' EP EF E' F E. The motion of any point of the circle EP' E P EC, x placed at the difiance x from the centre C, will be — jx j the motions being here in the fame ratio as the di- 4, fiances [ 4C0 ] fiances from the centre, fince all the points com- plete their revolution in the fame time •, and the mo- ment of all the points which coinpofe the circum- ference 2 7r x will be 27 r-vx"- w x x > the moment a ' being produced from the mafs by the motion, and by the arm of the leaver. Therefore the motion of all the concentric circum- ferences which compofe the circle, is*/' ~~ ~ x xz d x . 7T U 7T fJL A . r . = v x = 7 x a*, when x = a. as for the a. 1 a circle E P' E' P E. To have the fum of the moments of all the points of the elliptical zone E P1 E P E F E' F E, all the points of the zone may be confidered as placed at the didance a3 from the centre C, and having, confe- quently, the fame motion as the point E, becaufe the greated thicknefs P F of the zone is very fmall. The fum of the moments of the zone will be equal to the quantity of matter multiplied by the motion u, and by the arm of the leaver a3 or 2^7rX-j-a«x /xX*2=7T//.a<23. Therefore the fum of the moments of all the points of the ellipfe E F' E' F E turning about its centre C, the motion of the point E being ^ will be 7 r/u. a x a* — 7T fJ. a a It will likewife be found generally, that the fum of the moments of a fimilar ellipfe, of which C L , or X , is half the greater axe, and which turns about ts centre C, is f ~ x X — x X . Therefore a a [ +°I ] Therefore the fum of all the fimilar ellipfes which X ' • 2 2L compofe the terreftrial hemifpheroid, is f • ia Tu.%x*dr= - — —XTru.xf{aa — rryxdr, r ia which, as has been feen at the end of Prob. I. when, after the integration T has been made = at will be i — 2.a — 7r [x x t8t ^ 5, and multiplying by 2, the fum 2 Cl of all the points of the terreftrial fpheroid will be ( [ — 2a) x 7T x t87 a \ Which was to be found. Corollary. 4. If you would find the fum of the moments of all the points of the ring E £>^E' Jig. 1. n°2. turning about the axe * The moment of an element L of the crown placed at the diftance X from the axe of rotation is a a d u x — a tity of matter by the motion, and by the arm of the a dP leaver. But in the circle E $JE' E we have, d u j X therefore the moment of an element of the crown is a a julY. X d P, whofe integral, which is a a ^ x a a tt, gives the fum of the moments of all the points of the crown. Which was to be found. E e e Pro- [ 4°2 ] Problem III. 5. Having given, the moment wherewith the earth turns about the axe Qfif of the circle of the fun's declination , To find the motion of the pole P, or , which is the fame , of the point E in the plane of the circle of the fun's declination. By Prob. I. the moment wherewith the earth turns 2 S about the axe C by the a&ion of the fun, is ~ s x a 7r v u * tt aS- By Prob. II. the moment wherewith the earth turns about the fame axe C 6), the velocity of the point P, or of the point £, being is (1 — 2a) x ^ p x ^ T a - g We fhall have then a yr v u x ^ = (1 — 2a) , 2, S aa vu x tt h x fV 4 ; whence we get ^ = — And this is the motion of the pole P, or of the point £, about the centre C. Which was to be found. COROLLAR Y. 6. In like manner, the moment wherewith the crown E £fE' gfE turns about the axe being given, the motion of the point E may be known. For, By the Coroll, of Prob. I. the moment of this crown, turning about the axe CJ^by the adtion of the r . 2, $ fun, is ~-—r x a tt 1/ w x a*. s By C 4°3 ] By the Coroll, of Prob. II. the moment of this crown is alfo a a px a* iS We have then — - x a tt p u x a4- = a a u. x a1 tt ; s whence we get y — x a v u. Which was to be found. Remark. It is proper to obferve, that the motion of the point E of the crown is the fame, whether the crown be entire, or there be no more of it but the point E. For, by Prob. I. the motion of any point g, paral- lel to C S,Jig. 1 . na 2. and refpedtively to the centre Ct is 5* x S C x ( =Lt — £=Lt V which is = S x ; and XC3' S3 when the point g becomes the point E, we have x=av, v being the cofine of the angle D C E. Therefore the refpedtive motion of the point E pa- rallel to the motion CS of the centre C, is S x 2^-^ j AJ and refolving this motion into two, the one according to E Cy and the other perpendicular to E C , this latter will be -- S x x “ — ~ a v Uy being the fame as that which was found for the point E when it is united to the crown. This fhews that the motion of the other points of the crown produce no alteration in the motion of the point Ey which is owing to this ; that all the points of the crown have the fame angular motion about the axe E e e 2 Pro- [ 4° 4 ] Problem IV. 7. To find at every infiant the variation of the place of the pole of the earth . The earth has two motions of rotation, the one about the axe of the equator, which is likewife the earth’s axis ; and the other about the axe C of the circle of the fun’s declination ; this motion is caufed by the fun’s adtion on the redundant matter about the equator. The point E,fig. 1. n° 2. which is the interfection of the circumference E ^ E ' 9fE of the equator and the circle P E P‘ E' P of the fun’s declination, will therefore have at every inftant two motions, whofe directions are perpendicular to each other. The former of thefe two motions, which is the diurnal motion, is uniform ; and if we call it m, the fpace run through in an inftant, dtf\s m dt\ the mo- tion being always equal to the fpace divided by the time, or the fpace equal to the produdt of the time. Alfo let E e be that fpace. The fecond motion of the point E which is per- formed in the circumference E P E' P' E of the circle of the fun’s declination, and arifes from the adtion of the fun, is continually accelerated, from the continual application of the fun’s adtion ; and if we call the initial motion at the firft term of the inftant, d t> or the increment of the motion, the motion at the end of the inftant dt, is jx. d t j and the fpace gone thro’ uniformly by the motion during the inftant d ty is ltd t x d or d P. Let E e be that fpace. The [ 4°S 3 The point E, in confequence of thefe two motions together, E e and E e, circulates neither in the cir- cumference E g^E <^E of the equator, nor in the circumference E P E P1 E of the fun’s declination.. But if we form the redtangle E e e g E, the diagonal E e will be the elementary arc of the circumference E e' q E E wherein the point E will circulate ; and the angle e E e1, equal to the angle Qc <7, equal to the angle P' C />', will be the angle whereby the pole P is elevated, and the pole P depreffed, below the circle of declination, by moving in the circumference P' p' Qjq P p P', whofe plane is perpendicular to the plane of delination ; and the point p is the true place of the pole at the end of the inflant d t , and the fmall arc P' p> expreffes the inftantaneous varia- tion of the place of the earth’s pole. Which was to. be found. Corollary I. 8. The fimilar fe&ors e E e\ q, or P' C p'y whofe three fides of the one are each parallel to the three fides of the other, give this proportion, E e : e e or E g : : C P' : P' p‘ = ~ x C P' = (by the Lj 6 preceding Prob.) to ——7 — x C P — — x a. But r & ' mat m by Problem III. fx — ^ (7— 2a>) ; therefore P P ~ 3 i* a n v xadt — Avuadt, making A iJ)(fflx( i — 2a) 3 $ a a s3 x m x ( i — 2a) CoRQL* [ 4°6 ] Corollary II. <>. If, inftead of the terreftrial lpheroid, we fup-* poled only a fingle ring, it would be found in like manner, that the pole P of fuch ring would fhift its place during the inftant d ty by running through the arc P' p> = — x CP' = -x a. But then we fhould E e m take the value of u as in Coroll, of Prob. III. which is ~ x a v u. Therefore we fhall have P' f = u-~ — sJ m 5 S a j x a =— *vua at. s'xm To apply, then, the formula of the preced. Coroll. cl it will fuffice to make in that Coroll. — i. for i — la then the formula of Ccroll. I. becomes the fame with that juft now found in this Coroll. This will be of ufe hereafter for applying the for- mulae of the motion of the nodes of the terreftrial equator to the mo don of the nodes of a moon or fa- tellite of a planet. Corollary IIL io. It fhould be well obferved in the preceding Corcll. that the diredion P' p' of the pole P is ever parallel to the diredion E e of the point E of the equator, fmee they are both perpendicular to the plane of the circle of the fun’s declination, and the di- redion P' p' goes on the lame fide as the diredion Ee of the point Ey which is placed on the fame fide of the I L 407 1 the pole P\ with refped to the line S C and the direction of the oppofite pole p, goes on the fame fide as the diredion of the point E of the equator which is placed on the fame fide of the pole P with refped to the line S C D . This fhould be carefully attended to in regard to the following Problem, . Problem V. 11. Eo determine at every injlant the motion of the ; pole of the earth with reJpeSl to the ecliptic. P P', fig . 2. 7z° i. & n 2*. is the earth’s axe, T $ vj> reprefents the ecliptic ; s E' p E s is the tangent plane to the pole P, and parallel to the equa- tor j the line JD s Dz is the interfedion of this plane with that of the ecliptic, and is tangential at the com- mon point s to the circles & E p E s> and T s * The angle PC s is the angle of inclination of the earth’s axe to the plane of the ecliptic, being like- wife the folfticial angle. The earth, by its diurnal motion, turns about the axe P' P according to the order of s s £' /> £ s ; and the fun, by the annual motion in the ecliptic, moves according to the order of T $ - Vf. Let S be any place of the fun in the ecliptic. By Art. 10. the motion of the pole P making the acute angle P C S , will be according to P p perpendicular to the plane P C S D P, and confequently to the line P D. * Note , That the fig. «° 2. is only to reprefent the circle S E p S, which could not be reprefented but by projection in fig. n° !• [ 4°8 J Forming, therefore, the redangle P M p R, the motion of the pole according to P p will be refolved into two, according to P R and P M. The motion of the pole according to PR is pa- rallel to the plane of the ecliptic, and to the line of the nodes T Ca. This motion tends to move the pole P about the axe of the ecliptic, and in a parallel to the ecliptic, and caufes the equinodial point T to recede, and the point vp, and the node «&, to advance towards the fun ; which produces a preceftion of the equinox equal to the angular motion of the pole P about the axe of the ecliptic ; for it is indifferent whether the pole P of the earth moves about the axe of the ecliptic, whilft the plane y s - v remains fix’d; or the fame be fuppofed to be fix’d, and the plane of the ecliptic T $ & yr to turn about its centre C, and the axe of the ecliptic. If we take another place Sz of the fun at the fame diftance from the folftice s, but on the fide contrary to S , the diredion of the pole P will be, by Art. io. according to Ppz, perpendicular to the plane PCSZDZP^ and confequently to the line P Dz ; and the fun’s de- clination being the fame in Dz as in D, the motion P pz will be equal to the motion P p. Refolving the motion according to P pz into two, according to P K and P M', the motion according to P R produces the fame preceftion, and with the fame fign, or the Fame diredion, as when the fun was on the other fide of the folftice ®, and in D; and the pre- cefilon is ever the fame at every quarter revolution of the fun. The motion according to CP M caufes the fame variation in the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic, [ 4°9 ] ecliptic, as when the fan was on the other fide in S, but with a contrary fign, or direction ; and the fum of the lines P M', from the folftice $ to will be the fame as the fum of the lines f M, from T to s, but with a contrary fign : fo that the angle of inclination of the earth’s axe to the plane of the ecliptic is con- tinually increafing from V to s, and then decreafing from to ^ 3 and as the diminution is equal to the increafe, the inclination becomes again the fame in as it was in T, having undergone an ofcillation whofe period is fix months. Whilft the fun paffes from £1 io v?, there are the fame motions of the pole, as whilft it was paffingfrom $ to Thus is the motion of the pole determined at every inftant, with refpedt to the ecliptic. Which was to be done. Problem VI.. 12. To find the quantity of the precejjion , or, which is the fame , the arc of the parallel to the ecliptic run through by the pole of the earth P in the fipace of time the fun is pajjing from the equinox to the fiol- fiice , or from the folfiice to the equinox ; which may he taken for a quarter of the time of the fun's revolution about the earth ; the angle comprehended between the equinox and the enfuing folfiice differing but by an infinitely Jmall quantity from 90 degrees. Calling, as in Prob. I. the femi-axe C P, a ; fig * 2. ?i° 1. & m 2. the fine of the angle P C S, or P C D , V ; and its cofine, or the fine of the fun’s declination, u : F f f Let C 410 ] Let P be b ; C 2o, r ; we fhall have C D = ? ; P D = - P‘, the difference & of the arc V £, which is u the fun’s diftance from the node T, will be rrydCD CDx&D' ■ 1 as is found by thefe two proportions, r : S s ::C D ~ CDyTs , n CDyJs : D w = , and D m = — : « — d CD : C s =r : &> D whence we have C D* Ss — rry.dC Z) C D x $ D xSj D — r r y d C D, and d’ r r Z z* . , — — -= (putting inftead of CZZ and d1 Z), their P ^ # . — r r values - and V aa ^ = to the fpace run through a rr ) r G by the fun S in the ecliptic in an inftant, == 277-r x *lL calling T the time the fun employs in running thro’ the whole circumference 2 tt r. Whence we have d t = d u r d u 2 7r r V aa — zzzz 2 rr 7T V aa — uu rr By * C 4*1 ] By Art . 8. we have a P p—AV uxadt‘, there- fore, by Prob. V. the inftantaneous preceffion will be A r r J , PR .rr J , CP © 1 A V u xflij/x — — , or AV u* a a t x - , the tn- Pp *P D angles P pr, P D s, being fimilar, fince the three fides of the one are perpendicular to the three fides of the other. Putting, therefore, inftead of P D , P s, and d t , their values above found, we ffiall have the • n . rr a rr a & P V aa UU lnltantaneous preceiiion = A v u x — - x — — • aV 2 7 r rr z=. Ab* — x uu du 2 7T ^ aa — «« rr But uu d u ' f — = J V aa — uu rr UV aa — uu- f- jdti'J aa — z/zq or limply = rr rr uu d u fv aa — uu rr when u = — , as it happens when the fun is in the fol- r Bice s , and then J d u V aa — uu, which is the area rr of a quadrant of a circle whofe radius is will be a 7r a 2 r 2 r aa-jr 4 rr Therefore the preceffion, whilft the fun is paffing _ . . . T aa 7r from Y to £p, is A b x — x 2 7r 4?*r Ff f 2 A , P aa A bx - x -T 2 4 rr and » [ 412 ] and calling C H, which is = the radius of the circle parallel to the ecliptic which the pole P runs thro’, g-, we fhall have g = — , and the preceflion A b x was — - will be likewife A bx^-x Which 2 4 rr 2 4 r to be found. And this alfo is the quantity of the preceffion during the time the fun paffes from the folftice to the equinox, or generally, during the time of each qua- drant of the fun’s revolution ; as was feen in Prob. V. Remark. # 13. The difference of the fun’s diflance S T from the equinodtial point, is equal to the arc the fun goes through in the ecliptic, when the node T is fix’d, as was fuppos’d in the foregoing Prob. but when the node T moves in the ecliptic the contrary way to the fun’s motion, the difference of the fun’s diflance from the node is equal to the arc gone through by the fun, increafed by the arc gone through by the node Y. Therefore always taking S s, Jig. 2. n° }. for the difference of the fun’s diflance from the node, we {hall have ~S s equal to the arc defcribed by the fun, more by the arc defcribed by the node. But, by the former Prob. we have feen, that the arc run through by the pole P in an inftant d t, and in a parallel to the ecliptic, whereof g is the radius, is AVuyadty ^ =AVu x ^x d t = Ah u u d t . P D aP u The arc run through by the node T will be then Abu [ 413 ] V A b uu d t x -, fince thefe arcs, which meafure equal angles, are as their radii g and r. We {hall have, therefore, in the above c. Troblem , r du d t , A , r , — — , = 2 7T r x ~ A b u u 'A - d t > V aa — uu P g Ss7 or rr whence we get dt ■ T d u 2vVaa-uu 1+Abuu^ •r " rr But- 14* A b u u x T ■= 1 — Abuux r 2 TTg iTTg ■4 2 TT g where the other terms may be neglected which con- tain the powers of A , becaufe A is a very fmall fra- ction. We {hall have, therefore, d t = — — — x V aa — uu rr T \ (1 — A buu x )• and the inftantaneous pre- lirgJ ceflion will be ^ £ x — x — — 11 x { 1 — Ab uux 2t V aa — uu rr *r\ / whofe integral for the fir ft term, in the folfti- 2jrg^ cial point, where u — is A b x — x , as was r iir 4 rr feen in the preceding Problem . But the integral of ^ u [ +*4 ] V aa — uuy when we fuppofe, after the integration. rr - — u ; and r aa Ctt ^ a& a a ir ~x ~~~ % ~ X — — — . rr 2.r rr 4 r r Therefore the preceflion from the fun’s departure from the equi- nox till his arrival at the folftice, is A b x ?"x — — x 2 4 rr ( 1 — A b x — x-j" ) = ( g being = — ) A b x 27rg rrS 0 0 ^ x - x ( I — £ x x 4). 27rr When the motion of the node is not very fenfible, it will fuffice to make ufe of the formula of the pre- ceding Problem , which is the firft term of this ; But when that motion is fenfible, which is the cafe of the moon's node, when it is to be determined for a quar- ter of the revolution of the fun, it will be requifite to employ this formula ^ which contains two terms of the feries. Nay, it would be very eafy to take a greater number of terms, fo as to negledl nothing; but this would be abfolutely ufelcfs, becaufe of the quick con- verging of the feries. Pro- [ 4i5 ] Problem VII. 14. To find the alteration of the inclination of the earth's axe to the ecliptic , during the fun's pajfage from the equinox to the folflice , or from the foU fiice to the next equinox ; which is the fame, only affeSled with a contrary fign , as has been feen in Prob. V. By Art. 8. we have a P p — A Vu x a d t ; and by Trob. V. the inflantaneous variation of the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic is A V u x a d t x PM ■pp = A V u x a d t x $ D W‘ becaufe of the fimilar triangles '•P pM, P D — (taking the denominations r /T7Twrr 7* r % dCD S D Arr of Prob.Vi.) AV uxar. — x— — -= x — -~-~AFuy 2tt CD x ffijD P D du aT rdCD __ X — = ~AV U CD x PD r x uu -AVy ar a 2 x ■ — x - u u X u d u , whofe integral is i A rx — xuu-, and when 2 7T the funis at the point $, we have 1 : u :: r : a, and a = r u ; therefore the preceding integral is then T Ax x a a. Which was to be found. 2 irr Remark. 1 5. When the motion of the node is not infenfible, you are to take the value of d t of the Remark that follows C 416 ] T r x dC D follows Art. 1 2. which gives dt~ x = — =x 2 7r CD x <&D T (1 — A b x %uu)y and the inftantaneous varia- 27Tg tion of the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic will be^rx — Kudu x(i — A b x — — x u u\ 2 7T 2 Tg whole integral, when the fun arrives at the folftice, where we have r u = ay becomes 7 A a av. T A a‘ T T x x A bx = ( becaufe g 2 -rrr 2 7 rg 2 7r r -t) T , T \ A a a x x ( 1 — 27 rr the formula to be made ufe of when the motion of the nodes is fenfible. A b x — — J j and this is 27 rrA SECT II. Of the motion of the pole of the equator of the earth caufed hy the a&ion of the moon. 1 6. Whatever has been faid in SeB. I. of the pre- ceffion, and of the ofcillation of the earth’s axe on the plane of the ecliptic, through the action of the fun, is equally applicable to the adtion of the moon ; it being requilke only to fubftitute every-where the moon inlfead of the fun ; L inftcad of S, and A inftead of s ; the time which the moon em- ploys in completing her revolution about the earth, inftead of the time the fun employs in performing [ 417 1 his revolution about the earth, or M inftead of Ti Laftly, the lunar orbit, inftead of the ecliptic. Like- wife, inftead of A, which [Art. 8.) was equal to 2 S n r, 7 L a a — , we mult put B = x Km i — 2 a 17. We lhail find then, by Art. 12. that the arc defcribed by the pole P of the earth parallel to the plane of the lunar orbit, whilft the moon makes one quarter of a revolution about the earth, is Bb x — x — \ 2r 4, which gives the arc defcribed by the mean motion in an inftant, d /, equal to Bby.-—xdt = Bby. — a ■ 2 r 2 rr x d t‘j putting, inftead of g, its value — . 18. We fliall find alfo, by Art. 14. that the varia- tion of the inclination of the earth’s axe to the plane of the lunar orbit, when the moon is at its point of ftation po degrees diftant from the node of the equa- M tor with the lunar orbit, is i B x x a a, whereby 2 irr the angle of inclination of the earth’s axe to the plane of the lunar orbit is increafed when the moon is at its point of ftation. 19. We therefore ftiould have nothing to add, if the plane of the lunar orbit were the fame as that of the ecliptic, or if it always retained the fame pc- fition : But as this plane continually varies its pofition, and its pole deferibes a fmall circle about the pole of the ecliptic, from whence it is always about 5 degrees diftant j it ftiil remains that we examine what is the G g g pre- [ 4l8 ] preceflion caufed by the moon, with refped: to the ecliptic ; which may be done by refolving the mo- tion of the earth’s pole, parallel to the plane of the lunar orbit, into two motions, one whereof is parallel to the plane of the ecliptic, and the other perpen- dicular thereto, and which varies the inclination of the earth’s axe to the ecliptic. This is what we fhall determine in the following Problem. Problem VIII. 20. Having given , the motion of the pole P of the earth parallel to the plane of the lunar orbit , to find its motion parallel to the plane of the ecliptic. * C P, fig. 3. n° 1. & 11 2. is the femi-axe of the earth. The plane of the figure is the plane of the folfticial colure; C Z is the axe of the ecliptic, confequently perpendicular to C S ; s the folfticial point, and PCs the folfticial angle : P Z is parallel to C $ , and perpendicular to C Z \ and it is equal to the line C H o ^ fig. 2. The circumference /, /', /% /3, / is the circumference deferibed by the pole, /, of the lunar orbit ; L, L\ U, L 3 is the fe&ion of the cone C7, l P l3 l prolonged, by the plane that is tangen- tial at the pole of the earth, P. Let /° be any place of the pole of the moon’s orbit, tf upon the point P be erected PR , perpendicular to the plane P C i°, this perpendicular will be the di- rection of the motion of the earth’s pole, parallel to * The lines which are in the plane which touches the earth’s pole /, are ieparately reprefented in fg. 2. »Q- 3. i the C 419 ] the plane of the lunar orbit, the plane PCI9 being perpendicular to that plane, P C la being the axe thereof. Letting fall from the point R the perpendicular R M upon the line s P Z, the motion of the pole of the earth according to P R may be refolved into two -y the one according to P M} the other parallel and equal to R M ; and this latter exprefies the pre- cefiion with regard to the ecliptic, and the former gives the alteration of the inclination of the earth’s axe to the plane of the ecliptic. The motion of the pole reprefented by M R , which gives the preceffion with regard to the ecliptic, is al- ways on the fame fide during the entire revolution of the pole of the lunar orbit, and is the fame on either fide the point / at the like diftance from it • the motion according to PR being then the fame, and always on the fame fide, as has been explained in Prob. V. * The motion according to P M is the fame on either fide of the point / at the fame diftance from it, but with a contrary fign, that is, in an oppofite di- rection. For it is manifefi:, that if another point, as /°, be taken on the other fide, and at an equal diftance from the point /, the point M , where the perpendi- cular R M falls, will be on the other fide with regard to P , than the point iff, fince the angle R P Z\ which is here obtufe, will then be acute, and lef$ than the right angle of an angle equal to L° P Z' , * The point 1° placed on the other fide of the point /, that is, between / and P, is not marked in the fig. nor the point M‘ where the perpendicular K AT falls; for the fake of not embarraflingthe fg, with too many lines, it being eafy to conceive. G cr 2 ? 5? ■ For [ 420 ] For this reafon, the motion according to P M mufl produce an ofcillution of the eai th's axis, whofe period is the time of an entire revolution of the pole of the lunar orbit about the pole of the ecliptic. Problem IX. 21. To find the quantity cfi the precefiion caufied hy the moon with regard to the ecliptic j that is , the arc parallel to the ecliptic , run through by the earth's pole P, during the time of a femi-r evolution 1 l1 P of the pole 1 of the lunar orbit. Let there be drawn the lines N K, 1° K perpen- dicular to the axe of the earth C P, and parallel to the lines NP , 1° P, fig. 3. no 1. & n° 1. The triangles PR M, P N L° , K N 1° are right- angled and fimilar ; for the three fides of the firil are perpendicular to the three fides of the fecond, and the three fides of the fecond are parallel to the three fides of the third. Still retaining the foregoing denominations, let z l — Z N = z-} P Z == g, as in fig. 2. the line C II-, CZ=f -, ClovCl° = C. We dial 1 have N P = V xx. — zz ; NP — g — Z; NK f a x£ Zj or- - x g-\-zi when the point /* a lies on the other fide of /’ ; P R = - xg — z> or'-x a a when the point ln is on the other fide of /'. Tire triangle C l K is here fimilar to the triangle whofe three iidts are reprefentcd by the letters afi\ r, fince [ 421 3 b ' fince — exprefifes here the fine of the angle of in- clination of the earth’s axe to the plane of the lunar orbit, and -is its cofine ; we fhall have then 1° K =*; r cic ; C K b c = C

and by Prob . 2 r VIII. the fpaee run through parallel to the plane of the ecliptic, will b sBbx — xdtx = (by the P X zrr preceding denominations) Bb x— x — x d z f. a**~* * * nT x — B x — x — x a c r r 4^ Vxx, ££ 2rr 27 r VXK-a5 and putting inflead of-, its value, which was found be^7 we fhall have B x f d z to a c xg — «x V XX — X — x Jj+gx 4t cc 6 V j and when the point 1° is on the other fide with regard to l\ we fhall have B x — / ~ — r — dz X ^ x£ + * x 77= wu V xx. nf 4 vr Therefore always taking the precefiion for the two points to- gether placed on either fide of l\ and at an equal di- itance from it, we fhall have, by joining the two values • now found, after making reduction, B x — x J— x 4 7T ^ « „ nT fg ■—=.======, or Z5 x — x x V xx — ,22; 2 7r a a IgJJ— *SZZ* //— X d z V*: Put [ 423 ] But the integral of ff x d si V X X ZZ * d Z . ff X 7 r f f 7r ===== is — X — — , — ~ — , when we take V xx. — ■ ,£.3 JC 2 2 all the points / * from l1 to /j and the integral of which is — 2; v/xx — ££ + fdz V XX — ZZ J V xx — ZZ} when, after the integration, we make or the area of .... A, A, is = x 7 r ' 2 X 2 4 • wT" /V - Therefore the integral of B x — x^-2. xyy_ 27T dCC dz . D nT fg fffir ; — ■ — IS = B x — * x x ' Vxx — 2?r zt ^ff 7T XKtJ 2 acc v 2 4 y 2 2 a c cc This is the fum of all the inftantaneous precef* fions for all places of the lunar orbit from / to /% be- caufe we have always taken two points together placed on either fide of l\ And this is the quantity of the preceflion with re^ gard to the ecliptic, during the time of a femi-revolu- tion of the lunar orbit. Which was to be found. "\ Pro* [ 424 J Problem X. 22. T'o fnd the quantity of the nutation , or of the variation of the inclination of the earth's axe to the ecliptic, caufed hy the moon during the femi -revolution 1 1‘ l2 of the pole of the lunar orbit . The fpace run through in an inftant d t by the pole of the earth, parallel to the plane of the lunar aa orbit, being, by Art. ly. = B b x — xdt, the inftan- irr tancous nutation for any one place 1° of the lunar or- bit will be, by Prob. VIII. = Bbx °a ’ ' PM xd tx DD irr PR (by the denomination of the preceding Problem) z aa nT B bx — x — x — ■ ■■■-■. — . 2 rr 2 7r V-jcx — zz V XX — .32; a c r aa nT' x — x — x z b = £x~ r b . Putting inftead of —its r 27T V XX — 33 yy . ^ value, which was found to be — — , we fhall have a c B x — x ttfgz^dz i and when the point 2tt X 2 C C la is on the other fide with regard to we fliall have J] x — !L — xff — gzxdz. 2 7T X 2 C C Taking therefore the nutation for the two points together, /°, placed on either fide of /‘, we have B* £x n T X 27T X 2 CC , is B x - [ 425 3 X 2 ffd Z, whofe integral, when z is nT rr D nT ff xijj 3t = £x — x - — x x. 2vr X 2CC 2 7T c C This is the quantity of the nutation caufed by the moon during the femi-revolution l ll lr of the pole of the lunar orbit. Which was to be found. Corollary. 23. By Prcb. IX. the quantity of the preceflion caufed by the moon, with regard to the ecliptic, is, during the fpace of a femi-revolution / /' /* of the pole of the lunar orbit, Bx^x-^-x (1 — f x-^ ), 2 2 acc J j y By the preceding Problem , the quantity of the nu- tation during the fame time of a femi-revolution of the pole of the lunar orbit / /‘ /*, caufed alfo by the moon, - D nT ff is B x — xy-d- x x. 2tt CC Therefore the preceflion, during the time of a femi-revolution of the pole of the lunar orbit, is to the nutation, during the fame time, “ ( I — f — . ), is to - ; or as g f v x Jjs T? 50C \ ( 1 — i jjJ is to 2 a x* But the preceflion is performed in a parallel to the ecliptic, whereof g is the radius ; and the nu- tation is performed in the plane of the folfticial co- lure, and in a circle whereof a is the radius : Di- ll h h viding. As — x 2 a [ 426 ] viding, therefore, each circular arc by its radius, we fhall have the quantity of the angle : And The angle of the preceffion, during the time of a femi-revolution of l ll lx of the pole of the lunar orbit, will be to the angle of the nutation, in the fame time, As f 7T x ( i to 2 x, or as x Schol 1UM. 24. Whatever has been faid as to the moon and the fun, may be equally applicable to all the other planets ; but as the effedt of the adtion of the reft of the planets upon the earth is not fenfible, we fhall not take it into confideration. S E C T. III. Of the motion of the foie of a ring , caufed by the aSlion of the fun: or of the motion of the pole of the moon s orbit . 25. We have feen, in slrt. 9. that if, inftead of the terreftrial fpheroid, we were to fuppofe a fimple ring placed at the circumference of the equator, the motion of the pole of fuch ring would be found by the fame formula as that for the motion of the pole of the earthy fuppofing only, in tha tformule, — 1 — = k 1 1 2 a • . • t . ■ 1 1 • i : v* vy, : n i’a By [ 427 3 By this means we may apply all the formula which have been found in Sett. I. to the motion of the nodes of this ring, and to the alteration of the inclination of its axe to the plane of the ecliptic. But by the Remark on Art. 6. the motion of the plane of this ring is the fame, whether the ring be entire, or there be only a iingle point which circu- lates in the ring’s circumference : Whence it fol- lows, that Thefe fame formula do likewife give the motion of the pole of the orbit of a moon or fatellite ; the motion of the node of the orbit of fuch moon in the ecliptic ; and the variation of the inclination of its axe of the orbit to the plane of the ecliptic : Ob- ferving to put the time of the revolution of this moon about the fun, inftead of the time of the earth’s re- volution about the fun, and the motion of the moon in its orbit inftead of the motion of a point of the equator. Remark. It may be obferved, that although the motion of the pole of a ring be the fame as that of a moon, during the time of the revolution of the ring, or of the moon, which is the fame ; yet there are fome particular motions which take place when there is only one moon revolving in the circumference of the ring, and which ceafe to exift when it is an entire ring that revolves. For example; in Art. 2. the force, according to Ly , fig. i. n 2. of the point L, is deftroyed by an equal and diredtly oppoftte force of another point a placed on the other fide, and at the fame diftance from the point £, as the point L , when the ring is entire ; H h h 2 but [ 428 ] but when there is but one point, as L, or, which is the fame, one moon, which revolves in the circum- ference of the ring • this motion fubfifts, and difturbs the motion of the moon in the plane of its orbit. In like manner the force of the point L parallel to y Cy or according to c L, is deftroyed, in a ring, by the force of another equal point a' placed on the other fide with regard to and at the fame diftance as the point L. But this force fubfifts in the cafe where there is but one fingle point L, or one moon, and this motion diforders, befides, the motion of the moon in the plane of its orbit. Laftly, If the ring, which circulates about the centre C, be elliptical, the motion of every point of the ring in the orbit is proportional to its diftance from the centre ; becaufe, on account of the conti- nuity of the ring, all the points complete their revo- lution in the fame time, and have equal angular mo- tions; but when it is but one fingle moon that re- volves, in an elliptic orbit, it defcribes areas propor- tional to the times, and has an angular motion fo much the greater, as it approaches nearer the centre ; which is the contrary of the motion of the points of the elliptic ring, the more diftant whereof Irom the centre, have the moft motion. And it arifes from hence, that the motion of the pole of the lunar orbit is much the fame as that of the ring, taking it during the entire revolution ; but that there is a fmall varia- tion, or inequality, in the inftantaneous motion of the pole of a moon ; whereas this inftantaneous motion is conftant through every inftant of the revolution of the ring. I (hall [ 4^9 ] I fhall fpend no more time on the ring, with re- fpedt to thofe motions which have nothing to do with the fubjedt in queftion j but they {hall be thoroughly difcuffed, and applied, in a fecond memoir, which I {hail publifh, on the particular motions of the planets. SECT. IV. Containing the application of the formulae of the preceding Se&ions . 26. The motion of the fun, or, to fpeak more ex- actly, of the earth, in the ecliptic, is which is the lpace divided by the time. 27. The earth’s central force will therefore be ^ x the central force being equal to the fquare of the motion divided by the diameter of the circumference in which the body moves ; and the earth’s central force being the force — wherewith it s s is attracted towards the fun 5 we (hall have s s 2 7T7T 2 7T 7rS . S -JY 5 whence we get - = C-rJ'h 28. The motion of a point of the equator whofe radius is a, will be, calling the time of its revolution t = which is the fpace divided by the time. We have therefore m = 2 A 7T 29‘ [ 43° ] 2q.' By Art. 8. A = — x -~a - = (by Articles 7 s3m l — 2a >o\ 2 tt 7t a<2 3 ^ a 27. 28.) 3 x = ^x 7T x x 2a7r 1 — 2a Tf ‘ 1 — 2a 2 t = (by x4r/. 3 1. following) r^— x tt x -rfo-. 1 X 30. Putting q for the ratio of the lunar force — S L S to the folar force we fliall have — , = - x q ; and JB, which (byx^r/. 16.) is = 3-^ x will alfo be A 3m 1 — 2a 3 (S’ a # :£_ Xy x = s m 1 — 2 a 3 1 . Suppofing a (by Art. 29.) |^,x 7r x , which is conformable to 178 the obfervations of the gentlemen of the Parifian aca- *1 II demy, we Hi all have = = . 1 — 2a 0 2 176 I78xi-T7s Problem XI. , f 32. To find the precefiion caufed by the fun during the time between the equinox and the folfiice ; that is to Jay , in a quarter of a yeary or three months. By Art. 12. the precefiion, during this time, is T jr A by. ~x — . Putting, inftead of Ay the value 1 4 r found [ 43i ] found in Art. 29. we fhall have J— - x v x -2- x — TT 176 2 *l = ^x^.*hu T 176 r 8 4 r b But — is the ratio of the fine of the inclination of r the axe of the earth to the ecliptic, to the radius, or of the fine of 66 degrees 32 minutes to the radius, = 9 1 7 - 9 1 9 . ancj ^ ^ is the femi-circumference of 10000600 the parallel to the ecliptic wherein the pole of the earth moves, and, confequently, equal to i 80 deg. /, which is the time of the revolution of a point of the equator, is equal to one day ; and T equal to 365^ days j we fhall have, then, by fubffituting all the values in the preceding formula > -5 — x -^.I2.2?I9 x 3 10000000 1 1 80 1 x degrees. This is the preceffion produced by the fun during the fpace of 3 months. 33. Multiplying by 4, we fhall have the annual preceffion caufed by the fun = — \ — x x r o r: 7 36ft 1 0000000 180 x 2 degrees, = -~ 9172919^45 176 2 “ 3 657 10000000 88 = (after due redu&ion) 13". 52'". 11"" degrees. Pro- C 432 ] Problem XII. 34.. To find the precefiion caufed by the moont during the time of a femi-revolution of the pole of the lunar orbit about the pole of the ecliptic ; that is , in about years t or pf x T, as T = 1 year. By Art. 21. we have found this precefiion = — x - — x(i— f x — ). 2 2acc v Jf J By Art. 30. B = x ^ x : Subftituting this value in the preceding formula , it becomes ^=?x -x JL *2r f ff I , — x — X -- 7 r£ x (1 2 <2 f f 170 'a x x ) 7J'J' f . But - is the ratio of the fine of 66 deg. 32 min. to the radius, = . 10000000 L is the ratio of the fine of 8 f deg. to the radius, c the angle l c z, whereby the pole of the lunar orbit is diftant from the pole of the ecliptic, being, at all times, about y degrees. Therefore^ = ~99.^LP^7.m c IOOOOOOO *; is the ratio of the fine of f deg. to the fine of 8y , _ 87if57 degrees, = — - — 1 . 6 99<>m7 3 Therefore t 413 1 Therefore fubftituting thefe values, and thofe of /, T, and vg found in the preceding Problem , we ihall find that the precefilon, during a femi- revolution nT of the lunar pole, which is — , by Art. 2 1. becomes = q x ” x J_ x _91I29J9 r 9961947 2 3 6^4 10000000X2 ' 76 x 180 deg. x (1 — £ x 10000000 V 87155-7 V) v 996154.7 V This is the precefilon caufed by the moon during the time of a femi-re volution of the pole of the lunar ,. «T . ^ orbit, — - = 5^ x y, 35. Therefore the mean precefilon caufed by the moon during the time 7*, which is the mean annual precefilon caufed by the moon, will be, by dividing 9172915) n the preceding formula by — , = a x -7 — x r 0 2 3 65-4- 10000000x2 .7 99 which expreftfes the time of the moon’s revolution about the earth, 27 -days; in- , , , 398215-5 T r {lead of the mean value — ; I fay mean r iooooooo J value , becaufe the earth’s axe is not always equally inclined to the plane of the lunar orbit, as has been 3 X £ jfhewn in Art. 19. &c. we (hall have y x x (3 »7l 2 X 176 IOOOOOOO (putting, as in the pre- ceding [ 437 ] ceding Problem , inftead of a , 1~ x 180 degrees) f x 22 X -^Zj_ x x 7 x , 3o degreeS) = (365^) 2x176 IOOOOOOO 22 D (after reduction) 10'". 19"". Problem XVI. 4,0. To find the motion of the node of Jupiter** fourth fate llite, caufed by the fun , during the time of \ of a revolution of that fatellite about the fun . We need only make ufe of the formula of Pro- blem XI. wherein, conformably to Art. 25. we muft make — 1 , t = 1 6? days, being the time of 1 — 2 a the revolution of the fatellite about Jupiter ; T — x 12 days, which is the time of the fatellite’s y revolution about the fun, or about 12 years; r becaufe the orbit of the fatellite is but little inclined to the ecliptic, and, confequently, the axe thereof nearly at right angles thereto. We fhall have then ^x 1 o or 3 x 164 180 deg. 365^ x 12 8 This is the motion of the node of this fatellite in 3 years, or during 4 of its revolution about the fun. Remark. 41. By this may be found the motion of the nodes of the reft of Jupiter's fatellites. For it appears, from the formula , that the motion of the nodes of different [ 438 J different fatellites of the fame planet, is as the times of their revolutions about the planet. Thus the motion of the nodes of the 3d fatellite, in the fpace of 3 years, is 3 X 7f x I So deg. 365-4 x 12 8 The motion of the nodes of the 2d is ■ ^ X ^2T~ 3°5t x 12 180 deg. ~8~' 3 x ij 3b5i 12 The motion of the nodes of the iff is 180 deg. 8 ' Problem XVII. 42. To find the motion of the nodes of the 5 th fatel- lite of Saturn, caufed by the fun , during the tune of t of the revolution of this fatellite about the fun. Conformably to the preceding Problem we /hall have, by putting inftead of /, 79^ days ; inftead of 7^365! x 30 days, which is nearly the time of the revolution of this fatellite about the fun, and we fhall have-i4-7-2L x '** 3651 x 3° 8 43. In the fame manner may be found the motion of the nodes of all the reft of Saturn's fatellites. Pro- C 439 ] Problem XVIII. 44. To find, the motion of the moons node during the time that the fun is pafling from the node of the moon' s orbit 'with the ecliptic , to its point of flat ion \ that is, in three months , wanting a few days. Here we are to make ufe of the formula of Art. 13. becaufe the motion of the moon’s nodes is very fen- iible in refpedt of the motion of the fan. To- T Wefhallhavey4/$x — x-x( 1 — Ah x x |) ; and 2r 4 2 irr employing the values of Prob. XI. except that here t — 27 \ days, which is the time of the moon’s re- volution about the earth, and that - = to the fine of r 85 deg. divided by the radius; the axe of the lunar orbit being inclined in an angle of about 87 degrees to the ecliptic. Therefore - == —9ft-1 947, Laftly, by r 10000000 Art. 2 c. we muff take = 1, and the i — 2a ^ X ^ 7 x formula will be changed into this, ■ ■ ■■■■■ x 365t xil2deS-x (1 3 x 27ly 99^ 1 94-7 y 1 8 365^ 10000000 2 x b 9661947 — ■ ■ ■ am icooocoo redudtion) 40. 36'. 33". This is the motion of the moon’s node during the time that the fun is palling from the node of the moon’s orbit with the ecliptic to its point of flation ; that is, during the time the fun is moving 90 < — 4 de- grees C 440 ] grees, 3 6 minutes, 33 feconds , or 85°. 23'. 27". And if the motion of the node be required for one year, 'tis only multiplying the motion, juft found, by 77-, and it will be found 19°. 25-'. 39". 05 .23.27 . being a very fmall matter more than the truth, for reafons which will be explained elfewhere, and be- caufe we have taken 27} days for the time of the moon’s revolution about the earth, which is really a little lefs than that quantity. Problem XIX. To find the greatefi difference of the inclination of the lunar orbit to the ecliptic ; which happens when the fun arrives at his point of Jl at ion with regard to the moon. Here the formula of Art. 1 5. muft be made ufe oft T T \ which gives \Aaa x x ( 1 — i A b x ) or, 27 rr 2 irry which is the fame, \ A x -^x — x ( 1 — \ A x — \ 2-n-r 22 27 rrJ fttbftituting the values as in the preceding Problem, and inftead of — , putting — — which is the ra» ioooooco 2x2 7 J" tio of the fine of f to radius, we fhall have 2: i_i x i 871557 7 o j / * 3x274 x — — x — x 1 80 deg. x ( 1 — 7 x 0 2x2 icoooooo 2 2 y_996l947 )= ,s- 1 oooccoo Remark . [ 4+i ] Remark. 4 6. It fhould be oblerved, that, to Shorten the computations, I have contented myfelf with taking the times of the revolutions pretty near the truth ; but if the utmofl exadtnefs be required, the accurate times of the revolutions mud be employed. 47. This might be a proper place to add the me- thod of determining the perturbation of the orbit of any planet, as derived from another planet j but fince this depends upon no other than the very fame principles that have been made ufe of in this me- moir, and as their application will be fhewn, in its full extent, in the memoir which I am going to print, and intend myfelf the honour of fending to the Royal So- ciety, I flial l defift, that I may not run this paper to a greater length. LIX. A Letter to the Right Honourable George Lari of Macclesfield, P. R. S. concerning the ages of Homer and Hefiod . By George Coftard, M. A My Lord , Read Dec. 13, "V'T feems to be an opinion pretty gene- *75 3- rally received, that Homer and He- fiod lived much about the fame time. If this be true, and they did fo, whatever arguments prove the age of one, will equally ferve for fixing that of the other. What that age was, is indeed not at all agreed on among writers ■> the only thing in which they con- Kkk fpire L 442 .1 fpire, being, I apprehend, to place both of them much earlier than they ought to have done. Among the ancients, Velleius Paterculus (i), as now printed at leaft, fays, that Homer lived 950 years before his time. This author dedicates his hi- ftory to the conful Vinicius, who is placed in the fcifti coiifulares A. V. C. 782. which is A D. 30. So that, according to this computation, Homer mull: have flourifhed about the year before Chiift 920. And with this account agrees pretty nearly the Parian marble (2). Plerodotus, according to our prefent copies of him, placeth Hefiod and Homer not more than 400 years before his time (3). Herodotus, according to A. Gel- lius (4), was 53 years old at the beginning of the Pe- loponnefian war, or the year before Chrift 43 1 . And (1) Hie longius a temporibus belli, quod compofuit, Troici, quam quidam rentur, abfuit. Nam ferme ante annos DCCCCL floruit, intra mille natus eft. Hiji. Rom. /. i. c. 5. In the Fajl. confular. as publifhed by Cardinal Noris, the confuls Vinicius and Longinus are placed the year following, or A. V. C. 7 83. (2) A^or OMHPOS o HOIHTHS E$ANH ETHJh HAAAAIII BA2IAETONTOX AGHNU .... IOTNHTOT. N° 45. where fee the commentators. (3) Hoi o-f oj yd f »1 \intnv t«t £yx.ooio/oi zrzot dotico (azu orpurCvTi^t yzviO&cti, xj b orKzooi. Pag. 109. Edit. Grono'v. (4) Not 7. Attic. 1. xv. c. 23. And if Xerxes came into Greece in the year before Chrift 480. as is commonly fuppofed, then Ho- mer muft have lived, according to Herodotus, at moft, but about 400 years before that expedition, But in this Herodotus differs widely from himfelf, if he is the author of the Life of Homer com- monly attributed to him. For there he fays, dtp » 3 O/Aup^- iykvir:, tT zd. zsiv h.ooicl itKooh Ztp^zco J'ictC etozuc , Jub fin. See Bayer in the Atl. Petropol. vol. 3. p. 338. where he icje&s this piece as fpurious. if [ 443 ] if to this we add 400 years, we fhall have the year before Chrift 831. about which time confequently, according to him, both Homer and Hefiod muft have flourilhed. Among the moderns, Petavius (y) places Hefiod A. P. J. 3714. or about the year before Chrift 1000. and in his Ratiojiarium ‘ Temporum (6) he fays, that Heliod was contemporary with him, and that this ex Arcturi ortu, qaem poeta ijie defh'ibit , eruditi ar - tis i/lius colli gun t ; and in the margin refers to L011- gomontanus in his Aftronomia Danica (7). With Petavius agrees very nearly Palmerius, as cited by Dr. Hyde in his notes on Ulug Beigh(8), tho’ Sir Ifaac Newton (9), whofe authority with fome perfons is deciftve, tells us, that from the achronical rifing of the fame ftar it follows, that Hefiod ftou- rifhed about 1 00 years after the death of Solomon. This again he places, in his fliort chronicle, in the year before Chrift 979. from which, if we fubtradt (5) Uranolog. l.vii. c. 5. (6) Part I. 1. i. c. 1 2. (7) And in this he hath the authority of AulusGellius,!. xvii. c. 21. who fays, ‘ De Homero & Hefiodo inter omnes fere feriptores con- ‘ ftitit, aetatem eos egifle vel iifdem fere temporibus, vel Homerum ‘ aliquanto antiquiorem ; utrumque tamen ante Romam conditam ‘ vixifie, Silviis Albas regnantibus, annispoft bellum Trojanum, ut ‘ Caffius in primo annalium de Homero atque Hefiodo feriptum re- < liquit, plus centum atque fexaginta, ante Romam autem con- ‘ ditam, ut Cornelius Nepos in primo chronicorum de Homero ‘ dixit, annis circiter centum & fexaginta.’ The building of Rome is commonly placed the year before Chrift 752. To this add 160 years, and Homer and Hefiod will both, according to Cornelius Nepos, have lived about the year before Chrift 912. (8) Page 3. (9) Chronology , p. 95. Kklv 2 IOC [ 444 ] loo years, we (hall have the year before Chrift 875?. when, according to him, both Heiiod and Homer, if contemporaries, mull have flourifhed. In what man- ner Sir Ifaac Newton computed this, or whether in- deed he ever computed it at all himfelf, is not, at leaft publickly, known. It is probable he only fol- lowed lome one elfe ; and therefore, without dero- gating in the lead; from his authority, or thinking it a failure in refpedt to the memory of the greateft man that ever lived, I fhall confider a little how far the age of thefe poets may be determined, with any cer- tainty, from this achronical riling of Ardturus. Longomontanus, in his AJiron. Da?iic.( 10) fup- pofeth Heiiod to have flourilhed about the year be- fore Chrift 776. when he makes the place of Arc- turus ri? 120 16, the place of the Sun’s apogee *5 200 10', and his place, 00 days after the winter l'ol- ftice, X i° 10'. In the year after Chrift 1610. he fays, the place of Ardturus was ^ 180 47' ; fo that from the year before Chrift 776. to the year 1610. Ardturus had moved through 36° 31', = 131460'^ which divided by 2386, the number of years elapfed, gives the annual motion of the fixed liars 5 f". But as he makes the annual motion of the fixed liars 49" 45'", or i° in 7 1\ years j 55" will, according to him, require about 2658 years. So that Heiiod, ac- cording to his computation, mull have lived about the year before Chrift 1048; unlefs, as he feems to- fufpedt, that poet defcribes the riling of Ardturus, not (ro) Lib. II. Spbaric. cap. iv. prob. 2. 3 as [ 445 ] as it was in his own time, but 272 years before. So that from hence, we fee, nothing certain can be con- cluded with regard to his age. Kepler , in his Epitom. djtronom. (11) fuppofeth, that from the time of Hefiod to the year after Chrift 1618. are 2400 years, and that the annual motion of the fixed ftars is fi", which, in 2400 years, gives 340. From whence, and feveral other affumptions, he con- cludes, that, in Hefiod’s time, Ardturus rofe achroni- cally March 3. in the Julian year reckoned backward, when the Sun was in X 50 if. Riccioli, in his Almageft. (12) fuppofeth, that He- fiod flourifhed about the year before Chrift 775. when the place of the Sun’s apogee was 2o°j and therefore the Sun’s true motion for 60 days was 6i° 1 o', which added to the place of the winter lol- ftice, or the beginning of yp, gives the Sun’s place X i° 10', the point oppofite to that point of the ecliptic which rofe along with Ardturus, or fl£ Therefore, in the figure here annexed, according to him, the point K is ng i° 10', and K P the distance from the next equi- nodtial point, = 28° fo'. The height of the equator at Athens, or the angle P H K, from Pto- lemy’s Geography , = 72° 15'. He farther fuppofes, as Longo- montanus before him, the ob- i° 10 (xi) Lib. III. p. 396. (12) Tom. I. p. 463. liquity [ 4+6 ] liquity of the ecliptic, or the angle, H P K, = 230 32'; from whence he finds the angle PKH= 107° 43', and the complement of it MKD = 720 17'. He affumes like wife the latitude of Ardturus, or M D, — 31° 3' north ; from whence he finds the arc K M = i)° f'; which added to the point K, or W i° 10', gives the place of Ardturus, or M, = rfl: 1 2° 1 y'. But at the end of the year 1644. the place of Arc- turns, he fays, was a 180 19'; therefore from the time of Hefiod, before affumed, to the end cf the year 1644. that ftar had moved through 36° 4'. But this it would do, he fays, in 2597 years. From whence, therefore, fubtradting 1644, there remains the year before Chrift 9 53 . H e concludes, therefore, as Longomontanus, we faw, fufpedted before, that Hefiod fpeaks of the achronical rifing of this ftar, not as it was in his own time, but two centuries be- fore. Befides, as the refradtion of Ardturus would accelerate his rifing, and the Sun’s refradtion wuuld retard his fetting ; and as the time of the folftice was then known, at heft, but in a very grofs manner (13)5 he is of opinion, that this method is not much to be (13) Meton and Eu&emon obferved the time of the folftice Olymp. LXXXVI. 4. or the year before Chrift 432. and Ariftar- chus Samius afterwards ; but Ptolemy fays they were very rudely made : And that Hipparchus, before him, was of the fame opinion. Ei's/.er 5 Hrotyi$cL. Syntax, p. 62. But if this was the cafe of obfervations then made, what muft we fuppofe it to have been two or three hundred years before their time ? depended C 447 1 depended on ; contrary to whatScaliger (14) and Vof- fius(i5) both thought. As there are, however, feveral errors in this com- putation, it may not be amifs, perhaps, to form an- other, upon fuppolition, with Sir Ifaac Newton, that Hefiod flourished about the year before Chrift 879. or, in round numbers, the year 880. and let us fee what will be the refult of it. At the end of the year 1689. the place of Ar&urus, in the Britifh catalogue, was - 19° 53 ' 5 2 "■> or 6 5 190 ^2" y and from the year before Chrift 880. to the end of the year 1689. are 2569 years, the preceffion for which time is 1* y° 4° 5° * This,, iubtradted from the place of Ardturus 6s 19 53 52 , gives his place, in the year be- fore Chrift 880, == 5s 1 40 1 3' 02". The lati- tude of this ftar, is, in the fame catalogue, == 30° 57'. Therefore, in the figure here, we have G M KB the ecliptic, RLKA the equator, C P the com- plement of the ftar’s (14) Hefiod us florebat eo fsculo quo Ardturus *)t?ovv%o; orie- batur in Bceotia vm die Martii, fi quid hoc ad conje&uram facit, faltem apud excellentes aftrologos, qui ex hoc parapegmate, infra Septuaginta plus minus annos, feculum Hefiodi deprehendere pof- funt. Animadverf ad Eufeb. Cbron. Num. MCCLV. Operae vero eft attendere ad id quod Hefiodus ipfe format, fua state Ar£turum *Kp'on >yj>v in Boeotia exortum fuifle vm die Martii : Unde poets hujus stas in tantum faltem poffit colligi, ut error fi quis fit faltem intra lxx annos fit conftitutus. V off. de Poet. Grs rots dvifjLon, xj davuetrcii fj.lv dva.7ea.vKAi zx01^^ iv 0 o/]®* tv Xe-“ fj-avi , riiv Atrxptiv iv nj MzffHfj.CpJVa> kzi(j.z vw ra cpa?, f pilv in, r dvlfjuv an Tohctveiv fit in loc. [ 45° ] In the year before Chriff 880. the time of the win- ter folftice was December 29. at 1 5- minutes pah: fix o’clock in the morning, according to the vulgar reck- oning ; or, in the aftronomical account, 28^ i8h iy ; and Co days after this, brings us to February 27. when the Sun's place was 1 is oo° 6' 23'' ; his decli- nation louth 1 1° 27' 18" j his right afcenfion 3 3 20 ji' y6' j from whence we fliall have his aicenfional difference K N = 90 8' iy . Then 0 / // The femidiurnal arc, in a right fphere, is 90 00 00 Afcenfional difference 9 08 iy Semidiurnal arc 80 yi 45 This, converted into time, gives the time of Sun-fet- ting then at Athens y*1 23' 27"; from whence we fhall have the nodturnal arc 13H 13' 6". . 0 • " Again j the Sun’s oblique afcenfion is 341 19 11 Oblique afcenfion of Ardturus 147 52 40 Difference 193 26 31 h ' " This, converted into time, gives 12 y3 46 Nodturnal arc 13 13 06 Difference 00 19 20 Semidiurnal arc, add y 23 27 Time of Ardturus’s rifing y 42 47 By this it appears, that at Athens, in the year be- fore Chriff 880, and 60 days after the winter tropic, the fiar Ardturus rofe at 19' 20" after Sun-fetting. ^ But [ 45* ] But if we would inqu re the time when it role achronically, in the proper fenfe of the word, wc have, in the figure here, EAL the ecliptic, JE A the equator, C D a portion of a fecondary of the eclip- tic perpendicular to E A L, A C the diftance of the point of oblique afcenlion from the autumnal interfedtion = 31° 48 ; we have like wife the angle CAB the obliquity of die ecliptic, = 2 2° 29' , and the an° ;le fE C H the height of the equator at Athens, = fi° — ACB. Then Tan. BAC 0 / // 23 29 00— — 9.63797<>3 — Rad. + cof. A C 31 48 00— 9.929364I Cot. A C D 69 44 00— - 9T<>7320+ — A C B 71 77 00 Sine DC B 17 49 00— — 948y6820 Cof. BAC 23 29 00— — 9.9624727 Sum 1944.81347 — Sine A C D 69 44 00— - 9.972 2448 Cof. ABC 107 24 27— 94778899 Then Cof. BAC 23 29 CO — 9.9624527 — Rad. + Tan. A C 31 48 00— — 9.7924IOI Tan. A D , 29 ?7 37- — 9774862 8 L 1 1 2 Sine [ 452 ] • Sine AD 29 37 3 5 9.6940277 Tan. BAC 23 29 00 9*^379^63 Sum 39. 23 1984a • — Tan. ABC 107 24 25 10. 5037429 SineDB 3 yi 38 8.8282411 A*> 29 37 35 A B 2 y 4 y 57 which taken from 6*, gives the point of the ecliptic riling with Ardturus j i.e. 154° 14' 3";. the point opposite to which is X 40 14' 3'. Then Longit. of the Sun from the equinox • I I O 04 / 14 t) 03 Precefiion of the equinox,, fubtradt 1 1 24 32 OO Longit. of the Sun from lft * of Y* 11 09 42 03 Mean anomaly correfponding 8 29 22 5S> Subtract 880 « • 6 28 27 12 2 00 47 March 1 28 09 04 2 4.6 4? 2 d 1 J8 16 48 27 I9h 46 49 So that the Sun entered X 40 14' 3", that year, March 2, at 1911, in the agronomical account* or, in the vulgar [ 453 ] ulgar way of reckoning, at 7 o’clock in the morn- ng, March 3. Either this day, therefore, or the preceding one, might, at that time efpecially, have been taken, indifferently, for the day when Ardturus rofe achronically. But tho’ this is what is properly meant by achro- nical rifing (19); yet as a (tar, at that time, is invifible, and, confequently, can be no rule for hufbandmen, for whofe uie thefe obfervations were intended ; there is another achronical rifing, called the apparent one : This is when a ftar firft appears above the eaftern ho- rizon afer fun-fet(2o); which, therefore, requires fome certain depreffion of the Sun in the oppofite part of the heavens, more, or lefs, according to the magnitude of the ftar required to become vifible. It was faid before, that in the year before Chrift 880. Feb. 27. Ardturus rofe, at Athens, 19’ 20" afier Sumfet ; but whether this, tho’ a bright ftar of the farfl magnitude, could be feen there fo foon in the eaftern horizon as even at 30 min. paft Sun-fet, may well be queftioned : And therefore Feb. 27. or the 60th day after the winter folftice, could not be there efteemed the day of the apparent achronical rifing of Ardturus. (18) Ft it ctv J v zl'Hx.of]* [xzta rptvsreif hzKtow Op. & Dief l- ii. v. 185. A/ ' q 'mf iycu Gemin. ibid I have S [ 454 J I have hitherto called it the ftar Ardturug ; but it is not improbable that Hefiod meant the whole con- ftellation Bootes (21). He calls it, indeed, A1ETHP, and that word, according to Macrobius (22), fignifies only a Jingle Jtar. But whatever it might do in his time, it teems evident, that, among the antients, and efpecially the poets, that diftindtion was not always nicely abler ved (23). If this, therefore, fhould be the cafe with refpedt to Hefiod, the time of this ri- fing of Arcturus will be fomething more indetermi- nate, as a confledation cannot rife all at once, nor is it now known how many IHrs this conllellation, in par icular, was, in thole early times, fuppofed to con- lift of. Cut farther; it hath been hitherto taken for grant- ed, that Hefiod is to be underllood as fpeaking of Afcra, or fome place in the neighbourhood of it ; but this, like wife, is not altogether certain : For it was no unufual thing with the antients to fet down in ca- lendars, of this fort, obfervations on the Tilings and (21) Afy.'lzpQ’ Jj Aiyt To/ x} ctu] & oA& 0 fWrur, lAiuf o l ka] b t ajuth ds'hf Suid. in voc. Aptt]& . And fo Theon ; Rva E tyu ( Ar&ophylax) cv y.eKiv A? 4 par, Z 10P/0V otr b Jtj ArpodiTH/AA xa\E'< At. Didym. inllliad.Vt. 'W- 7 , • (.23) Aratus ufeth the words As-»p and Arpov indifferently. Siiptar tr he^va trnpj^sit Arjjp a THfAuivoitv Avppdmv bl p’ i fAtripA TTAVTA tyVVVTAI N*btf ifii^oy.a.1. Matt, xxvii. 63. and anv- ko.1 eKrdJji/ ny/ip etf, in the LXX. Gen. viii. 3. is on the 150th day, as appears from the next verfe. The Arabs ufe their particle likewife in the fame manner. Th°S caA-^ jilc ’i—Jt (*_/ 1 converfa eft Keblah ad Caabam menfe Rageb, menftbus poll fu- gam 17. vel juxta alios menfe Shaaban interdi&um vero vinum 4. poft fugam annis, anno fc. quarto. Alkodaius in Pocock. Spec, tiijl. Arab > f- *75' Self [ 456 ] felf one of the number, which, confequently, will bring us only to Feb 26. Befides; what hath been faid, hath been built up- on the fuppofition that the day of the fohHce was, at that time, precifely known ; a thing, however, not haftily to be granted. The inaccuracy of obfervations, and the want of proper inftruments, in times much later than this we are here fpeaking of, would incline one not to attribute too much to them, in a cafe of fo much nicety. Since, then, we find the folftice fell out fo early in the morning ; either December the 28th, or 29th, might have been taken for the folfli- cial day: And, accordingly, 60 days after will be ei- ther February the 26th, or 27th. But as the Sun’s change of declination, at that feafon of the year, is very flow (26) ; an error of a day, or two, or more, either forward, or backward (a thing by no means impof- fible), will bring us to Feb. 2 y. or 28. which is a dif- ference of no lefs than 4 days. If any one thinks fuch a miftake as this incre- dible, let it be obferved, that in the calendar pre- fixed, in fome editions, to Ovid’s Fafti , the Sun is faid to enter Aquarius XV kalend. Feb. or Jan. 18. Ovid himfelf feems to place it XVI kalend. Feb. or Jan. 17. and with him agrees Pliny j tho’ Columella, under the reign of Claudius, and Ptolemy, under An- toninus Pius, place it one day earlier, or the XVII kalend. Feb. Here is plainly a difference of 3 days, and yet all of them wrong : For Ovid, as is generally agreed, infcribed his Fafti to Germanicus foon after (26) Keill. Lett. AJiron. p. 250. his C 457 ] his banifhment, or about A. D. 10. but, by the ta- bles, the Sun entered Aquarius, that year, Jan. 21. and in the fecond year of Antoninus Pius, or A. D. 139. when Ptolemy obferved the fixed ftars, he en- tered the fame fign Jan. aod 1611, or at 4 o’clock in the morning Jan. 21. according to the vulgar reck- oning. But if fuch miftakes could be committed at this time, how little muft we fuppofe the true time of the folftice known, fo early as the year before Chrifl: 880. But not to affume too much, let us fuppofe a mif- take of two days only, in the rifing of Ardturus. By calculating as before, we fhall find, that A. C. 1689. the point of the ecliptic riling along with Ardturus, in the latitude of Athens, was jo* 35' 5 5", the point oppofite to which is T 100 35' yy". But this point the Sun entered, that year, March 20. when, con- fequently, Ardturus rofe there achronically : But in the year before Chrifl: 880. as before obferved, Arc- turus might be faid to rife achronically there March 2. this gives a difference of 18 days in 2)69 years- from whence a difference of 2 days will give 2 8y years, which fubtradted from the year before Chrilt 880. will give the year before Chrifl: y9y. for the time, of Pleliod, and, confequently, of Homer too, if con- temporary with him, for any thing that can be ga- thered to the contrary from the achronical rifing of Ardturus. Having now fhewn, in this manner, what little pre- cifion there is in this argument, I might, as I at firft intended, take my leave of the fubjedt, and refer the fettling the age of thefe two poets to authorities of M m m another [ 45» ] another nature. But as the favourers of their high antiquity will, I queftion not, be ftartled to hear that their age may be brought down fo low as the year be- fore Chrift yqf. your lordfhip will not be difpleafed, I hope, if I add lomething farther in confirmation of this date, and fliew, that it is not fo unreafonable, or abfurd, to fix them at this very time, as at firft fight it may appear. I fhall not trouble your lordfhip with a variety of philological arguments, that, I think, I could produce in fupport of this affertion. That would fwell this letter beyond the bounds of your lordfliip’s patience : l fhall therefore confine myfelf to a few internal evi- dences alone, taken from the poets themfelves ; which, being of an agronomical nature, will, I flatter myfelf, on that account, at leaf!:, recommend themfelves to your lordfhip’s attention. The firft that fhall be offered, (hall be from the fol- lowing lines of the Iliad itfelf. 'OlQV S' Ct^i^CC VKS Y.90V0V 7TCU$ ayKVXo fJLYiTeto H pd.v)rr, TvSi t£ 7toAAo) a.'zuo ar'zm v^rr.pes /Wlat. To; eir.tf ’ rn^ev e-ui'i y^rovoc rictAAas A Srnvn (27). Qualern autem Jlellam mittit Saturni filius vcrfuli > Aut nautis portentum , aut exercitui lato popular urn. Splendidam , unde mult a fcintilla emittuntur. Huic Jimilis , impetu ferebatur in terram Pallas Minerva. (27) Iliad, iv. v. 75. Some, C 459 1 Some, as Euftathius (28) himfelf, take this to be a defcription of a comet j. and the juftnefs of it will be acknowleged by all that remember the late one in 1743. By the beauty and livelinefs of the defcrip- tion, likewife, one would be induced to believe far- ther, that it mu ft have been the defcription of one feen by Homer himfelf. But if the comet that ap- peared in 1681. hath a period of about 575 years (29), as it feems to have, we fhall find, by counting back- wards, that it muft have viftted the earth about the year before Chrift 619* at which time Homer might have been alive, and old enough to remember the terror and confternation that it caufed. Another remarkable paftage there is, in the Odyf- fy (30), where, juft before Ulyftes recovered his wife and kingdom, the poet tells us, that Se Ouoourd f^a'sroAwAg, tccocx 1 cf1’ a^Aus ■Sol quoqiis Ex ccelo per lit ; omino/aque ingruit call go. Tccvtoc cf ? 00s of.'zzrQ hA iov Ex.A«dg&)s, fays Euftathius tnere 1 And again, H cT? tU HA;gu EzA drSis qvx. u'zji^’ocr^ otoc. yil'OUiV/l eu Isl OVfJLYwlcjL- What authority Euftathius had for fuppoiing that this tranfadtion was at the new moon, I know not. 1 (28) A( Xiy&i, ciAAa Tt ci? olov KoiMiTW « (nvA-vrJi AS'oc. (29.) See Dr. Halley’s' Ajlron. Tables > or Mi fed* Curl of, Vol. II. (30) Lib. XX. v. 356. M m m 2 think [ 46o ] think it no-where appears from the poet himfelf. That it is a delcription of fome total eclipfe, is, how- ever, not improbable : And tho’ an eclipfe, at the time Homer is fpeaking of, feems purely poetical ; yet the great eclipfe of the Sun, in the year before Chrifl 603. that parted the Lydian (3 1) and Median armies, muff have made fir on g impreffions on every Ionian’s mind, that faw it, and may be here very beautifully intro- duced. I defire no greater ftrefs may be laid on thefe paf- fages than they will bear: But I obferve, that, in placing the age of Homer thus, we fliall be enabled farther to folve a difficulty mentioned by Strabo (32). For this curious and accurate geographer and hiflorian remarks, that Homer no- where mentions the empire of the Medes, nor the cities of Babylon and Tyre. But this lafl city was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, after a long fiege (33), about the year before Chrift 593 . and was to continue, according to Jfaiah(34), in a low defpicable condition 70 years ; and therefore, probably, did fo the greatefl part of Homer's life-time. The city of Babylon was, I think, taken by the (31) Herodot. p. 29. Edit. Gronov. See Maier’s Chrvnolog. Scy- thic. in the Adi. Petropolit. Tom. III. and what I have laid in the Pbilof. Tranf. (32) OjUiifof yvv r.Tz r t M ie/W dpypv o//iSr yut> oil1 AiyumtAS ovofj.d.i^uy, K&i r k&i t ov boivmyi tAktoi, t iv B itGukcbvi ^ N l tvo ^ EnCdTayoii Pag. 1068. O.' uAv \v rronnai, f "S-iSlva, Ti5pukkiiKA7i //4AAor O/ziipS^ 3 xdi /xi/miTAi d TuF«. Pag- 1097. x , , (33) Ezek. xxix. 18. E*m EibuGakeo rx Het7ikiu; i00.. But tho’ the word wpec itfelf could not be proved to have been in ufe among them at this time, yet it feems as if they had what was equivalent to it be- fore: For according to Menander, as cited by Julius Pollux (47), what was then called d>ccc, an hour , and j'j half an hour , was called 7 rctpd tois ttocXouois by the antients ; 2w/>t«or, a mark : And the reafon, I fuppofe, was, becaufe the ends of the fhadows were marked with the letters of the alphabet, called Z.I01- y&cc, elements , as their lengths were meafured by feet. And as the day was divided into XII parts, fo the greateft length of their fhadows were XII feet ; the Sun being after this, in the evening, and before this, in the morning, too low to make any farther meafures ufeful. Inftances of what hath here been faid, are eafily to be met with in the comic writers. Thus in Ari- ftophanes’s Concionatrices[^ 8). (46) In Vit. ejuf. (47) Pag. 47. Edit.Ku/ler • (48) Pag. 457. ibid . crcl [ 469 ] co\ 9 fttAiicra Olocv v AEKAHOTN to STOlXEION A iwccfs X'Wpeiv ercrt S'ararvov. I tibi autem curcc erit Quando fuerit decern pedum elementum pingue (unShim) ire ad ccenam. Upon which word AEKAnOTN, the fcholiaft ob- ferves, y t& HA/y cntidi olccy v S'excc vrodtev’ Q:Aet vv araav ole yifvelco o’U. AAA ojs to ttocAcuov xccAuvlss \tAi da-zcrvov Xj xocAiyfyjoi Trct^iaYifxocLvovlo r axixi’y £ Sites 01 jmev 5/j.evov t rds xAnSrevlctSy 01 5 dwhscrciv erj\ rds ecp'ixaas, ovSeiTte rvpvaetes ( Vid. Cafaab. \n Athenaeum , p 425.49.) »t eO / V j /£■ 'pi ^ , 3 / <•/ urns tls^ccSj cc(p vs oiov re yv rexjxypctSK as Trorcts codecs ofoy jc«. Qua?ido Solis umbra fit decern pedes longa , q. d. quando fero ft. Aliter ; antiquitus ad ccenam invitantes & invitati umbram notabant , unde hi in - vitatos manebanty illi ad convivia Je conferebanty qnum nulla alia efjet obfervandi ratio, qua indicium Jumerent quot boras jam dies declinajfet. And Hefy- chius likewife informs us, that to/s ttoA xocls/xirpow rds cyids tev rds do pees efivoocxov. And that twelve was the whole graduation, and twelve feet the longed lhadow in dials of this form, may be collected, I think, from this epigram, cited by'Salmafus, on Solinus (49): flpdco v rxorjiofe ro(pov CTYiftavlopct %ccAxev Au%s 6x MONAAOX fx& AraAEKA AOS. (49) Plin. Exercit. p. 634. And [ 47° 1 And before this, in a fragment of Menander (50), it is faid, • S'laipgpa "Kcupgpwvl®* bu Tlpos r XeA ri iTi v tlps^e r axixv iS'atv fls vyepi^cov 'irajcw apt? ti/xega, • a Chrerephonte nullo modo Homo differt , quifquis eft , qui vocatus aliquanio Ad convivium, cum umbra decern pedum forct, fummo mane Ad Lunam cucurrit confpicatus umbram Quafi re quo diutius moratus , & adfuit una cum die. And Hefychius, on the word AHAEKAnOAOX, fays, tlcos tAgJoi' fAA«7 rhxcos cyoiysaov v axial' -Aw yO av i>eh Sevl 0 exai S'cnrvov r^av nee yoi%&ou ovi®* AOAE- KAHOAOX} ds vvv nr pis flPAX (penal, lta dixerunt , fubintelleCio elemento vel umbra. Sic enim ad camam conventuros paBi funt olim exijiente elemento duo.de cim pedes longo , ut nunc ad boras jit. I have dwelt the longer on this head, as it helps 11s to form fome judgment on the nature of all thefe dials, as well that of Ahaz, as thofe of Pherecydes and Anaximander ; the J1V7PD of the fir ft being natu- rally very capable of being mark’d XTOIXElOIXon the other (yj ). (50) Menand. Reliq. p. 139. Edit. Cleric. (51) The Hebrew word comes from fcandit, afeendit ; and the Greek word from STEIX.Q, *v Kycvflo (paAcc yfts. Solon, according to Laertius, flourifhed about Olymp. XLVI. and in the 3d year of it was archon, and publifhed his laws. This was the year before Chrift 590. What his age was at that time, he doth not tell us, but that he was 80 at his death j which by Plutarch, in his life of that lawgiver, is placed Olymp. LIII. 3. or the year before Chrift 562. If fo, he mult have been about 52 the year that he was ar- chon. And that he could not have been very young then, is plain, from the poll and credit he was in. Upon the expiration of his archonfhip, as we are informed by Plutarch, he travelled for 1 o years, and returned an old man, as indeed he was, being now about 62 years of age : This was the year before Chrift 580. During this interval, it is highly pro- bable, he had his interview with Crcefus (do), and brought back with him, to Athens, Homer's poems, which he might meet with at Smyrna, or fome other of the Ionian cities. Upon his return, he found his country torn with factions, and that Pififtratus had formed the defign of making himfelf mafter of the ftate, which he foon afterwards effected. What year (60) Herodot. p. 11. Edit. Gronov. Tw q crpos Kpolccp \p\zv^ip avtv J'ok'Scip \vioi t olf ypovois co s orzsrAACfAipup tAipfretP. E yco j hoyov ’ip- Jhcjc p k*/ tct« 7** zy^o^a, ka! [o [mC,op oh) 'Trfi'&ofla. ttH 1,bAcop&> 'n&tf kai P zkzip 8 y.zfAAotp&cvpns kai comas ol^iov, k y.ot ^okco Cr£o!]CiSX y^J)VI>idis TIC I hipfAvOIS KAPOC/P, fP.VpiOl OT riE2I2TPAT02 A0HNON ETTPANNET2 ENETH HHf^AAAAnil APXONTOS IK. or. N° 56. where iee the Commentators. (62) Contra Graces . (63 ) Stromat. 1. i. (64) In Eufeb . flatefmen. [ 475 1 ftatefrnen, Teems to intimate Tome deeper views than the world hath hitherto been appriTed of. Augufttis, it is Taid, Tet a very high value on the JEneid ; and the defign of the poet in compofing it is well known ; but the drift cf the Mad, I think, hath not been To well agreed on. The Trojan war, as the mol*!; judicious, of the Greek hiftorians (65) informs us, was in itfelf no- thing near lo confiderable as the poets had made it. But for what end was this ? Was it the fports of the imagination only ? Were heaven and earth armed for nothing more than the writer’s fancy, and the reader’s amulement ? Something more interefting, Ture, was at the bottom of all this machinery ; and, if I am not much miftaken, the very circumftance9 of the times, we are now fpeaking of, naturally gave birth to fuch a poem as the Iliad. The Perfian empire, by the conqoefts of Cyrus, was growing very extenlive and formidable, and mud:, confequently, greatly alarm the Ionians, who might juftly apprehend their fharing the fame fate with the Affyrians, Medes, and Lydians. That he had formed a defign of invading them, appeared, as we are in- formed by Herodotus (66), from the anfwer he gave their ambsrffadors. This they could not but fee, and at the fame time perceive themfelves unable to op- (65) K-i/ cU'Ju. yz bvoud$-')T u, r.du rk vbv orepi avruv Jha rirf I7c/»T«f kxtW/jikoT'®'. Tbucyd. I. i. fed. 1 1‘. (66) The paflage is too long to be tranfcribed. See Herod. p. 58. Edit.Gronov . and Thucyd. lib. i. feft. i6. Ooo 2 pole [ 476 J pofehim, unlefsby a timely union among themfelves, and with the reft of the Greek ftates in Europe, and the iflands adjacent to the Afiatic coaft, Such a confe- deracy had formerly fubfifted, and Afia had felt the effedts of it in the deftrudtion of one of its hates. This, indeed, was the work of a ten years war ; but that, on the other hand, was owing only to the quar- rels and dififentions of the princes engaged in it ; a leffon very proper to be inculcated at this juncture, when they were to fight in the caufe of liberty, when they might expedf the fame gods would be on their fide as formerly, and had ftronger motives to unani- mity in their councils, than when they were only re- venging the injuries offered to a fingle family. To promote fuch a confederacy as this, appears to me to be the plan of Homer’s Iliad. This, as a bard, he was employed to fing at feafts and entertainments ; and the introducing and encouraging fiich a poem by Lycurgus at Sparta, and Solon at Athens, was every way worthy the charadfer and wifdom of thofe law- givers. But if fuch a confederacy could once be formed, it was plain, the Athenians, the moft confiderable of their if ates at that time, would bear the greateft lhare in it: Whoever, therefore, was malfer of Athens, would, of courfe, be at the head of the whole al- liance. Without fuch a head, and furnifihed with proper authority to command obedience, former ex- perience had taught them what great difadvantages muff unavoidably arife to the common caufe. There- fore, [ 477 ] Oux. cefac.S'oi' n oXvx.oif>a.viYi, ElX Koipciv®*. g A.dr,vatoi kxi N nyicoraiv Ttohhdi ojttffctv. Pag. 11. Edit. Waff. See, likewife, Meurf de Fort. Athen. c. 6. Herodotus fays, that, upon this occaiion, all the Ionian?, except the Milefians, met in their common council called Tray id 10. ; and that iJoi'i Kotvu hoy to TTiftyreiV aiyfz*.*( sc ’S.Trdfmi Fz iUTj/dfv{ \cotj yvy ^cuycyrou jtoi u t. e.\h:t UVTUS ■.TTCtA7/lV.l'iSKl T&l cfoyd. j'. Pag. £9. mer? C 478 ] mer, not enough, however, to caufe any obfervable change in the rifing of the fixed ftars ; we may take the difference, at a medium, at 20 or 22 years; which will bring us to the year before Chrift yBo. for the time when Heiiod flourifhed. Nor will the argument from aftronomy be at all inconfiftent with this determination. For in the year before Chrift 580. the time of the winter l'olftice was December 27. in the morning; and 60 days after that will bring us to February 2f. when the Sun’s true place, at noon, was ios 20° 4.7' 30", his declination fouth ii° 33' 56 ', and his right afeenfion 33 iy 53 5-3' . Then, in the figure here, O / II Tan. NO —i i 33 56 9.3109992 — R-]-coc.NKO— 51 55 00 9.8941114 KN— 91345 9.2051106 = the Sun’s afcenfional difference. From the year before Chrift 580. to the end of the year after Chrift 1689. are 2269 years ; the preceftion for which time is i* i°3o'fo"; which, liibtr acted from 6s 1 90 53' 52' , as before, gives the place of Ardturus, the year before Chrift 580 == 5s 3 8" 23' 2"; and the angle D CE, in the 2d figure, = 78° 23' 2". Then Rad. -f- cof. D C E = 78 23 02 i9-3°395^9 — Cot. D C = 23 29 00 — 10.3620437 Tan. CE = f 00 00 8.94191 72 P C = 59 03 00 Cof. PE = 54 03- o I 9.7 686966 Cof. [ 479 j O J Cof. P E = 74 03 00 — 9. 7^86966 Cof. DC = 23 29 00 9.9624727 J 9.73 1 1493 Cof. DE = 7 00 00 99983442 ■ 1 1 — — ■ ■ - Cof DP = 57 16 57 9.7328071 the complement of which, = 32° 43' 07", = the de- clination of Ardturus. ° / // Then, in 3d fig. Tan. MO = 32 43 07 9 8078283 — Rad. -f- cot. M K O = 7 1 77 00 9.8941 1 14 Sin. KO = 30 13 37 — 9-70*9397 = the afcenfional difference. Sin. PC =79 03 00 — 9.9332931 Sin. DCP = 78 23 02 9.9910119 19.9243070 Sin. DP = 57 16 75 9.9249738 Sin. PDC = 86 49 20 — 9.9993312 the complement of which =93° 10' 40". The right afcenfion, therefore, of Ar&urus then, was 183° 10' 40" j from which fubtradting the afcenfional dif- ference found above, gives the oblique afcenfion of Ardturus = 1 720 57' 07". O ' Then the femid. arc in a right fphere = 90 00 00 Sun’s afcenfional difference 9 13 47 Semidiurnal arc 80 46 j 7 which. [ 43° ) which, converted into time, gives fh 23' f" ; whence the no&urnal arc = 1311 13' fo". * ' " Sun’s oblique atcenfion 341 07 38 Oblique afcenfion of Ardturus ifa 57 of Difference 188 10 33 h ' " This, converted into time, gives 12 00 42 Nodturnal arc 13 13 50 Difference 1 13 08 Add Semidiurnal arc f 23 05 Time of the riling of Ardturus 6 36 13 Time of Sun-fetting at Athens f 23 Of Ardturus therefore rofe, after Sun-fet there, 1 13 08 Let us now fuppofe, farther, that twilight ends when the Sun is 18 deg. below the horizon; and therefore, in the figure, where H O reprefents the horizon, P O the height of the pole at Athens, we have Z P the complement of PO= fi°ff, PS =the diflance of the Sun from the pole, = 10 1 0 33' f 6", Z S = the Suns diflance from the zenith, = iob°. Then, Z S t [ 481 ] , •« * i II Z S = 108 00 00 PZ= f 1 55 ooarith.complem.— 0.1039621 PS = 101 33 y6arith.complem.= 0.0089087 Sum — 261 28 56 Half =130 44 28 z z * s= 9-8794779 — ZS = 108 00 00 Dif?.= 22 44 28 - - - = 9.5872258 Sum = 19-579 574-5 Half Sum = 9.7897872 = the cofine of 5T 57' 15"; the double of which is = 103° 54' 30" = ZPS; which, converted into time, gives 6h yy' 38'' for the end of twilight. Since, therefore, Ardturus rofe at 6h 36' 13", and, confequently, near 20' before the end of twilight ; it might then be faid very properly, in the popular and lefs determinate fenfe of the word, to rife AKPOKNEAIOhh From what hath been faid, my lord, doth it not feem pretty clear, that Homer and Heiiod both lived about the year before Chrift 580. and that, as I laid, from feveral arguments of an aftronomical nature ? The only difficulty that, I think, can be made to this, is, how to reconcile it with the exprefs teftimony of Herodotus to the contrary. In his life of Horner, as we have feen(68), he places him 622 years before the expedition of Xerxes into Europe; but in his hiftory he fays, both Homer and Hefiod were not (68) Not. 3. k 4. ppp more [ 4§2 ] more than 400 years before his time ; that is, fince there were but 50 years between the Peloponnelian war and the battle at Salamis(69), little more than 4^0 years before the fame expedition. Scaliger, in his notes on Eufebius (70), corrects the former paifage of Herodotus by the latter ; and, inftead of et'ccx.vancc, reads Ti'ipa.XQG'ict ; which will place Homer about the year before C'hritf 902. confident enough with Paterculus and the marble (71), but dif- ferent from his hiftorv by 7 1 years. Whether this correction of Scaliger’s be right, or not, I fhall not here fland to enquire ; but 1 am apt to think the word rilccococrioun itielf, in Herodotus, is corrupt. The Greek chronology, like that of other nations, hath been generally carried up too high ; the natural confequence of ignorance, and a defeCt of memoirs. This is only now to be corrected by perfons of learn- ing and abilities, capable of examining and comparing things with each other. In the time of Herodotus, no doubt, the popular accounts of Homer and Hefiod carried them up much beyond their proper time : But this writer, a better judge than the generality of peo- ple, feems to me to correCt thofe miftakes, by faying, that they lived years before his time, and no more* The words no more , appear plainly to intimate, as if, in the pafiage in queftion, Herodotus made the age of the two poets not near fo great as the common chro- nologers of his time ; whereas his number, as it now (69) Scholiaft. on Tbucyd. p. 64. Edit. IVaJf. (70) Pag. 102. (71) Sec Not. 1. 2. s Hands, [ #3 ] Hands, differs inconfiderably from what they, moll probably, made it. What his genuine number was, is difficult to determine; but, from what hath been faid, I am inclined to think it was H H H 300 ; and that it was changed by accident afterwards, by the negligence of tranlcribers, or by fome interpolator, to make it more conformable to the received chro- nology, into H H H H 400, as in ourprefent printed copies. And, in favour of this correction, it may be re~ marked, that Arifteas, the Proconnefian, as we are informed by Strabo (72), was, according to fome, I Tomer’s matter. This Arifteas feems placed, by He- rodotus, 340 years before his time (73); but Mr. Dodwell (74) intimates as if he had found, in fome copies of this author, only 240 ; and fays, that this number is confirmed by Tzetzes(75). I have now finiffied all that I final! trouble your lordffiip with, at prefent, upon this head. What hath been here advanced, your lordffiip will regard. (72) Pag. 946. , „ , . (73) Tat 3 oW'fit Wl-.T&TZQ\\\v 0171701$ l Iv ItO-AICL $VJHVC>WcLlf}cL (J-ZTct 7r)V AQAil$iV 7 Y)V J'iOTipUl’ i7i$t 7ZutpAK0lt] A KAl 7et»KO$lOI$l . Pag. 227. (74) Quo tamen in loco 240 legunt, ni fallor alia exemplaria, fuffragante, ut arbitror, in Chiliadibus Joanne Tzetze. De Cyc. Vet. p. 130. (75) After telling the fame ftory that Herodotus doth of Arifteas’s death and revival, he adds, E5r«T«. A iyo/uSpA $uyfpet754- nor pademi at Portici ; in which, fpeaking of the publication of the antiquities found at Herculaneum, he fays, Spero she il primo to?no non tardera molto tempo ad ifeire ; and then men- tions fome particular things, that had been lately dif- covered among the ruins j a little brafs bud of fome unknown philofopher, of an excellent manner, and perfe&ly well preferved : A datue of an orator, in marble j and another brafs bud:, on a term, of a 3*outh, with particularly beautiful hair, and the whole excellent. The artid has put his name to the latter, AnOAAHNIOS APXlOT A0HNA1OX FTJOIH2E. He fays, that the workmen were then jud entering on fome nobleman’s houfe, as appeared by the rich mofaic pavements, &c. and that they were in hopes it would prove a very good new mine. LXII. A [ 4 8? ] LX 11. A Letter to the Right Honourable George Lari of Macclesfield, P. R. S. concerning the M alue of an Annuity jor Life , and the Probability of Survivor flip. By Mr. James Dodfon. My Lord , Read Jan. i7,"\^T OUR Lordfhip’s approbation of my ‘754- Jp effay, concerning the method of forming the feries for making logarithms, and that for rectifying the circle, without the affiftance of fluxions, has emboldened me to lay before you the following investigations, concerning the value of an annuity for life (fecured by land), and the probability of furvivorfhip, between two perfons of given ages ; neither of which have (as I believe) been before at- tempted to be found, otherwife than by fluxions ; at leaf!:, no fuch attempt has appeared in public. I am fenfible that I ought to apologize for reciting the principles, upon which calculations of this kind are commonly founded, becaufe I know that your Lordfhip is perfectly well acquainted with them ; but I plead in excufe thereof, that I found a great diffi- culty would attend the rendring my argument intelli- gible and conclufive, if they were omitted. I am, with the greateft deference, my Lord, Your Lordfhip’s moll obliged, and moft humble fervant, J, Dodfom Bell -Dock, Wapping, Oft. 1 8, 1 7 53- [ +88 ] The writers upon the fubjedt of annuities on lives have very juftly diftinguifhed them into two kinds : In the firfl, the annuitant is entituled to receive a pay- ment if he be alive on the day on which it becomes due ; but if he dies on the preceding day, or fooner, his heirs have no claim to any part of the payment, fo to have became due ; but in the fecond, if the an- nuitant dies at any intermediate time, between the days of payment, his heirs are to receive a part of the annuity, proportional to the time elapfed, between the preceding day of payment and the annuitant’s deceafe. This latter kind of annuities have been diftinguifhed from the former, by the words, fecured by a grant of lands ; becaufc, where lands are leafed for lives, the conditions are generally fuch as are above deferibed. The values of the firft kind of annuities have been inveftigated upon principles purely arithmetical; but, in order to perform the latter, fluxions have been ufed (as I humbly conceive) without any neceffity : But as the inveftigation of the former may be ufefully made a part of the latter, I fhall firft recite the me- thod of performing that, and then proceed to attempt the other, upon the fame principles. If, with the fiigacious mathematician Mr. Abra- ham De Moivre, we fuppofe the decrements of life to be equal {viz. that out of a number of perfons, alive at a given age, equal to the number of years that a perfon of that age hath a poflibility of living, there will die one in each year, till they are all ex- tindt) ; then, out of a number of chances equal to that number of perfons, which may, for infiance, be [ 4^9 1 be 36, all but one are favourable, in the fir ft year, to any individual ; and, confequently, it is 3 5 to 1 , that he receives one payment of the annuity, by living till it becomes due 5 that is, the probability of his receiving it, is yg, and. that of his not receiving it, y'g-. Again j fince, by fuppofition, there dies but one perfon in the firft year, and one in the fecond ; there are but two chances, in the 36, againft his receiving the fecond payment, by living till it becomes due ; and, confequently, -fg- will be the probability of his receiving that alfo -} the probability of his dying in that year being yg-, as before. In like manner it may be proved, that the proba- bility of his receiving the third, fourth, fifth, &c. payment, will be yg-, -^g-, yg-, &c. and therefore, if the annual payments were each 1 /. and if the in- tereft of money was not to be confidered, we might conceive thefe feveral probabilities, as the prefent worths of the feveral payments, and the fum of them would be the value of an annuity of the firft kind. But fince the intereft of money necefiarily enters the procefs, and fince the payments become due at the end of the firft, fecond, third, &c. year ; there- fore the firft of thefe payments muft be difcounted for one year, the fecond for two years, the third for three years, &c. and the fum of their prefent worths will be the value of an annuity of the firft kind, to continue during the life of a perfon, who may pofiibly live 3 6 years j and this fum may be found by an eafy and well-known procefs (from the common tables of compound intereft and annuities), which need not be inferted here. Q^qq The C 490 ] The annuity fecured by land mult necefiarily be of greater value than the above ; becaufe, altho’ the an- nuitant dies before the payment becomes due, yet his heirs are to receive a part thereof; the annuitant, therefore, in this cafe, hath not only the probability of receiving the firft payment, but he hath alfo an expectation upon part of the probability -jg-, which, in the firft cafe, was wholly againft him. Now it may be efteemed an equal chance (fuppofing him to die in the firft year) whether that deceafe happens before the expiration of half that year, or after it ; and if it happens before, he is to receive lefs than half the annual payment; but if after it, more. The annuitant may, therefore, be fuppofed to have an equal chance, if he fails of receiving the whole firft payment, yet of receiving half thereof; and, confequently, half of the probability, which was before totally againft him, will (in this cafe) be fa- vourable to him; and his expectation of receiving either the whole, or at lcaft half of the firft payment, will be H + fr- ill like manner, fince the probability of his dying, in the fecond year, is, alfo, fg- ; we may (by arguing in the fame manner) prove, that one half thereof will (in this cafe) become favourable to him ; and, confe- quently, that -jJ + TV will be the probability of his receiving the whole, or at lcaft half, of the fecond pay- ment. It appears, therefore, that, for every year which he hath the poffibility of living, he will (in this cafe) have the probability (7V or) half of fg- in his favour, more than he had in the former cufe ; and therefore, if the prefent worths of the conftant fum 7l /. (fup- pofed 2 [ 49i ] pofed to be due at the end of one, two, three, &c. years) be found, and added to the value of the an- nuity, according to the former cafe, the fum will be the value of an annuity, fecured by land, to continue during the life of a perfon who may poffibly live 3 6 years. Now fince the fums, whereby the former annuity is to be increafed, confiff of the prefent worths of that fraction of a pound fterling (whofe numerator is unity, and denominator twice the number of years that the annuitant can poffibly live) fuppofed to be due at the end of each of one, two, three, years y it will follow, that their amount, or the difference be- tween the values of the two annuities, will be equal to the quotient, found by dividing the value of an an- nuity of 1 /. certain, for as many years as the an- nuitant can poffibly live, by twice that number of years : And, therefore, if to the value of an annuity for life, of the firft kind, we add the quotient fo found ; the fum will be the value of an annuity, of the fecond kind, for the fame life. When I had thus inveftigated the value of this an- nuity, I compared the refult with that Mr. De Moivre has deduced from fluxions, which is published in N° 473. of the Philofophical Tranfattiom ; and found, that they agree to more than a fufficient exacflnefs, for computations of this nature : I have, therefore, an- nexed that comparifon hereto. The above-mentioned author, and others, have alfo calculated the probabilities of furvivorfhip, by a flux- ional procefs ; which probabilities will flow from what is above premifed, by a very eal'y calculus ; in the doing which, the above vearly probabilities of the an- CLq q 2 nuitant C 492 1 nuitant’s receiving the whole drd, fecond, third, &c» payment, or at lead: the halves of them (being, in faCt, the probabilities of his living the whole of thofe years, or at lead the halves of them), are called the expectations of life, in thofe years. Mr. De Moivre has proved, on another occafion, that, if there be an expectation, to take place upon the happening of two independent events, the proba- bility of the compound event, will be the product of the two tingle probabilities : Now, if there be an ex- pectation, depending on one man’s fur viving another, it mud necedarily be compounded of the probabi- lities of the one’s living, and of the other’s dying. Now let the perfon, upon whofe furviving the ex- pectation depends, be of fuch an age, that he may podibly live 36 years j and let the perfon, who is to be furvived, be of that age, that he may podibly live 43 years : Then dnce the furvivor’s expectation of life will, in the drd, fecond, third, &c. year, be + 7T> if + 7?> U + 7V, &c. and dnce the pro- bability of the other’s dying, in any one year, will be 73 ; therefore, if the former be feverally multiplied by the latter, the products aridng, viz. + 77 X 7: X T'T, + will exhibit the probabilities of the fur vivor drip’s taking place, in the drd, fecond, third, &c. years. For the above expectations contain the probabilities of the furvivor’s living the whole, or (at lead) the halves of the drd, fecond, third, &c. years ; and the condant faCtor, is *be probability of the other’s dying, fome time within one of thofe years ; which may, therefore, be either in the drd, or in the fecond, half year, of either of them 5 thro* both of which periods, r 4Q3 1 periods, the probability of the furvivor’s living is above exhibited ; and, confequently, the probabilities of the furvivorfhip’ s taking place, in thofe times, will be feverally reprefented by the above products. Now the fum of 36 terms of this feries of pro- ducts, will, upon computation, appear to be 7-! 5 which is, therefore, the probability of the furvivorfhip re- quired. But if, inftead of requiring, as above, the probabi- lity of the elder perfon’s furviving the younger, it were required to find the probability of the younger perfon’s furviving the elder ; then, fince it is almoft a certainty, that both of them will not die in the fame moment of time ; we may, by denoting that certainty by unity (agreeable to another principle eftablifhed in the doCtrine of chances) determine the probability re- quired to be f 1 — or) vf: The algebraic invefti- gation of each of thefe cafes is annexed, to which I beg leave to refer, for a farther ill u fixation ; and fhall only oblerve, farther, that the above two refults will, upon comparifon with thofe given, upon a fluxional procefs by Mr. De Moivre, in his treatife of annuities on lives, appear to coincide with them exactly. The probability of any order of furvivorfhip, that can happen among three pcrfons, and, confequently, that of one perfon’s furviving two others, may, like- wife, be inveftigated upon fimilar principles, without the afliftance of fluxions ; but as this problem admits of flx cafes, and the algebraic procefs is of a length, too great for the defigned limits of this eflay, I beg leave to poftpone it. Si com- C 494 ] A comparifon of the refill t of the before going inve /li- gation of the ‘value of an annuity for life ( fecured by land J, with the value thereof given by Mr. De Moivre, in p. 67. of N° 4 73. of the Philofophical Tranfa&ions. If the annual payment, or rent, be fuppofed to be 1 /. ; if the rate of intereif (that is, the amount of 1 /. and its intereft for one year) be denoted by r ; the number of years which the annuitant may poffibly live (called by Mr. De Moivre the complement of life) by n ; and the value of an annuity of 1 1. per annumy certain for n years, by P : Then, by Prob. I. of Mr. De Moivre’s treatife of annuities on lives, the value of an annuity (not fecured by land) for the life of a 1 — -P perfon, whofe complement is n, will be — ; to which if — be added, thefum 2 n -P — + — will, -i 2 n according to the refult of the above inveftigation, be the value of an annuity (fecured by land) for the life of the fame perfon : And if the hyperbolic logarithm of r be denoted by a ; then, by the above-quoted Philofophical TranfaSiion , — will be the 1 an value of the fame annuity, according to Mr. De MQivre : Let us proceed, therefore, to examine, whe- ther [ 495 ] ther thefe two expreffions, viz. -P — + — and -i 2 n — - — are equal, or nearly fo. r — i a.n It is well known, that the hyperbolic logarithm of any number, r, is equal to the infinite feries. 2 r - x - I r-f-i I , 2 r — i - -4 — x 3 r+ 1 , 2 r — i 4- -X 5 r+1 &c. and, in this cafe (fince the intereft of money has not, for many years, exceeded f /. per cent, and is continually de- creafing), r will be always expounded by fome of the following numbers, 1,05. 1,04.. 1,03. &c. or others intermediate to them ; in the greatefi: of which [viz. 1,05) r — 1 will he expounded by (,05 or) 4_, ancj T, the firft 2 . r -j- 1 by ( 2, Of or) ; whence, - x I r- f- 1 2 2 r — 1 term of the feries will be ■ — , and - x 41 3 1 2 1 , x~ = 3 41 n 206763’ will be a fraction too final 1 to affedt r- a calculation of this kind: and therefore, - x — 1 r-j- 1 the firfi term of the feries, will be nearly equal to a, and may he wrote for it. Now by writing — x ■ for cc, the value of the expreffion, — — . ^ will become a n r — j ■ r + * r -\- I x P r — 1 X2» [ 496 ] ; and it remains, only, to prove the equa- lity of the expreflions, i — -T p — 1- — and — - r — i 2 n r — I r + i * P i x 2 n , which may be done as follows : Put i— rP 11 + P_ 2 n r — i = JV. Then i P 4- n 2 n P = r — i xiVj But, becaufe And Therefore 9 Whence 2 r m r 2 r n 2 n r — i r-h I 2 tz r4-i 2 72 2 n P = r — I x A-, r-f i x P r — i = N: r 1X272 And the equality of the two expreflions is evident : From whence it appears, that the value of an an- nuity for life (fecured by land) might have been found, exactly enough, without the afliftance of flu- xions. The [ 497 ] 7 %e invcjligation of the probabilities of fur'vivorjhip between two perfons oj given ages. Let the complement of the younger life be de- noted by and that of the elder by p : Then, Firft, If the probability of the elder perfon’s fur- viving the younger be required, let the fymbol p be ufed inftead of the number 36, and it will (from the argument above ufed) appear, that the expectations of the furvivor’s life, for the firft, fecond, third, &c. years, will be reprefented by ( ^ — - -j- - — - *T \ p 2 p p — . t=i 4-—. &c. or i t=2. Zt=l. 2. p P 2 p S 2 P 2 p 2 p Gfr. which expectations, being feverally multiplied into — , the yearly probability of the other’s dying, will give 2 p — 1 2 p n 5 2 p — 7 2 p — e , r . — — -, — &c. for the pro 2 p 72 2 p n Lability of the furvivorfbip’s taking place, in the firft, fecond, third, &c. years. Now fince, by the hypothefis, the furvivor cannot poffibly out-live p years ; therefore, only, p terms of the above feries are to be ufed ; which feries, being an arithmetical progreflion, whofe grealeft term is — lea ft term — — , and number of terms p j 2 p n 2 p n the fum thereof will, by a well-known rule, be ( 2 ft 1 — x - = 1 — x f = ) — > which V 2 fin 2 pn 2 m p 7 s 2 n Rrr ex- [ 498 J expreffion is exaCtly the fame as Mr. De Moivre gives, in the 44th page of the 3d edition of his trea- tife of annuities on lives ; which by the demonftra- tion thereof, given in fol, 1 16. of the fame work, ap- pears to have been obtained by a fluxional procefs. Secondly, Jf the probability of the younger per- fon’s furviving the elder be required ; then, if in 2.77— X 2.YI— C -, - , &c. the yearly expectations of the in m continuance of the life of the younger, be feverally multiplied by the yearly probability of the elder’s P dying j the products, in- -1 m 3 2*—5 1 11 p' 1 n p ' i?ip ' will give the probabilities of the furvivorfbip’s taking place,, in the firft, fecond, third, &c. years. And here, as before, the furvivorfhip muft necef- farily take place, before, or at, the end of p years, the longed; time that the elder can poffibly live, by fup- pofition ; and therefore, the fum of p terms, of the fe- ries above given, will be the anfwer. Now this feries is, alfo, an arithmetical progreffion, whofe greateft term is 2W 1 n p leaft, — and 2 n p number of terms, p ; whence f — — -4-— — 2~ 1 r V m p 2 np y P ^ 4^—2 P y P _ 4”— 2 P „ I _ 2»— ; p __ ) 2 2. n p 2 2 n 1 in y in will be the probability required 5 to which, if — , the pro- w [ 499 ] probability of the elder’s furviving the younger, be added; the fum will be unity, as was above ob- ferved. LXIII. A Letter to Mr. Peter Collinfon, F. R. S' concerning the Fheafant of Pen- fylvania, and the Otis Minor. By Mr. George Edwards. Fo Mr. Peter Collinfon, F. R. S. ~ College of Phyficiaa?, d 1 /V, Jan. io, 1754. Read Jan. 17, A Ccording to your requeft, and by *7 54- ^~\ your affiftance, I have drawn up a brief account of the fowl, called a pheafant in Pen- fylvania, in order to lay it, together with the birds, before the Royal Society. The coloured print, Plate XV. reprefents what is called the pheafant in Penfylvania and other provinces of North America, tho’ it rather belongs to that genus of birds, which in England we call heathcocks, moor- o-ame, or grous. It is near as big as a pheafant, of a brownilh colour on the head and upper lide, and white on the bread; and belly ; beautifully variegated with lighter and darker colours on the back, and fpots of black on the under fide. Its legs are fea- thered down to the feet, which will appear by the bird preferved dry, here prefent, as well as by the print in miniature. As this bird is, in my judgment, wholly unknown to the curious of our country, I R r r 2 rfiall. [ 5°° ] fhall, by foreign helps, give the bell account of it that I can gather. It was fent to England, a year or two ago, by Mr. John Bartram to you, with a letter giving fome account of it, and other matters; out of which letter I have extracted what follows: 4 Our pheafant was, I believe, wholly u«- ‘ known to Catefby, it being more northern than Ca- 4 rolina. They have been common (in Penlylvania), ‘ but now molt of them are destroyed in the lower 4 fettlements, tho’ the back Indian inhabitants bring 4 them to market. When living, they eredt their 4 tails like turkey-cocks, and raife a ring of feathers 4 round their necks, and walk very ftately, making a 4 noil'e a little like a turkey, when the hunter muff 4 fire.. They thump in- a very remarkable manner, 4 by clapping their wings again It their fides, as is fup- 4 pofed, Handing on a’ fallen tree.- They begin their 1 ftrokes at about two feconds of time dill ant from 4 each other, and repeat them quicker and quicker, ‘ until they found like, thunder at a diftance, which ‘ lads about a minute, then ceafes for 6 or 8 minutes,. c and begins again. They mav be heard near half a 4 mile, by which the hunters find them1. They ex- £ ercife their thumping in a morning and evening in ‘ the fpring and fall of the year. Their food is ber- 4 lies and feeds. Their flelli is white, and good. I 4 believe they breed but once a year in the fpring, ‘ and hatch i 2 or 14 at a fitting ; and thefe keep to- 4 gether till the following fpring. They cannot be 4 made tame. Many have,, to their difappointment, • attempted it by railing them under hens ; but, as 4 loom as hatched, they efcaped into the woods, ‘where they either provided for themfelves, or pe- rilhed.’ In [ 501 ] In order to be farther informed of this bird, I wrote to Mr. Brooke, furgeon of Maryland, who was lately in London, to aflift me with what he knew of the nature of it • who obliged me with a letter, wherein he fays, that the print I fent him (which was the fame with this here prefent) repre- sented their pheafant juft as it appears when furprifed, and going to take wing. 4 They breed in all parts of ‘ Maryland, except near the eaftern Shores. They ' lay their eggs in nefts made of dry leaves by the ■ fide of a fallen tree, or at the root of a Standing * one: They lay from 12 to 16 eggs, and hatch in ‘ the Spring; but how long they fit, I cannot tell. I 4 have found their nefta, when I was a boy, and have ‘ endeavoured to take the old one, but never could : 4 She would let me put my hand almoft on her be- 1 fore flae quitted her neft ; then She would flutter 4 juft before me for 100 yards, or more, to draw me 4 off from her neft, which could not afterwards be * eaSiiy found. The young ones leave the neft as Soon ‘ as hatched, and, I believe, live at firft on ants and * worms : When they are a few days old, they hide i themfelves amongft: the leaves, that it is hard to find 4 them. When they are grown up, they feed on the ‘ berries, fruits, and grain, of the country. Tho’ 4 the pheafant hatches many young at a fitting, and ‘ often fits twice a year, the great number and va- 4 riety of hawks amongft us, feeding on them, pre- 4 vents their increafing faft. The beating of the 4 pheafant, as we term it, is a noife chiefly made in 4 the fpring by the cock birds. It may be diftindtly 4 heard a mile in calm weather. They fweil their 4 breafts like a pouting pigeon, and beat with their 4 wings* 1 [ 5°2 3 * wings, which founds not unlike a drum. They 4 fhorten each found in flroke, till they run into one * another undiftinguifhed.’ Lahontan, in his voyage to North America, Vol I. p. 67. fpeaking of the fowls about the lakes of Ca- nada, I believe, mentions this fame pheafant as fol- lows: c Their flapping makes a noife like a drum, all 4 about, for the fpace of a minute -t then the noife * ceafes for half a quarter of an hour, after which it * begins again. By this noife we were directed to the * place, where the unfortunate moor-hens fat, and * found them upon rotten moffy trees. By flapping c one wing againfl: the other, they mean to call their * mates j and the humming noife, that enfues there- ‘ upon, may be heard a quarter of a league off. This 4 they do only in the months of April, May, Sep- c tember, and October ; and, which is very remark- c able, a moor-hen never flaps in this manner but upon ‘ one tree. It begins at break of day, and gives over c at 9 in the morning, beginning again an hour before 5 fun-fet, and flaps its wings till night.’ This is all the light I could gather, relating to the phealant of North America. The coloured print, Plate XVI. reprefents the otis minor, anas campeftris, canne petiere, the field duck, which was taken in the well of England, and laid before the Royal Society about three years ago : And as there happened to be no gentleman prefent, who knew the bird, Mr. Haukfbee, by order of the fo- ciety, fent the porter with it to me, to defire I would communicate to the fociety what I knew of it. I, ac- / \ C 5°3 J according to the Society’s requeft, gave in what ca- count of it I could colled! from ornithologies, having never feen the bird till then ; which account was fa- voured with a reading before the Society. I find fi- gures of it in the following authors on animals ; viz. Bellon, Gefner, Aldrovand, Willoughby, Johnfon, and others ; but as their figures are fmall, and the later authors have only copied the more antient, and none of them are drawn with the corredtnefs one would wifh, none of them exprefling the lighter, darker, and fpotted parts, which are remarkable, and add to the beauty of a draught ; I have effayed to make a more perfect figure than has hitherto appeared in print of this bird. I have done it on a larger fcale than what has gone before it, which has given me the better opportunity of exprefling its different fhades and fpots, which are blended throughout its feather- ing, which could not have been done on a fmaller fcale. The defcriptions of this bird, under the va- rious names here given, with little variation, may be found, with the figures, in the feveral authors above- mentioned. I think the modern authors agree, that this bird was unknown to the antients. I am, S I R, With great refpedt. Your very humble fervant, George Edwards. LXIV. A [ 5°4 ] LXIV. A Letter to Mr . Peter Collinfon, F. R. S. concerning a particular fpecies of Coralline. By Mr. John Ellis, F. R. S. Read Febr. *754- ■'A: S I R, Mong the obfervations I have lately made on the marine productions, I find, that many corallines, as well as corals, are com- pofed of a great number of tubes, which proceed from animals j and as thefe tubes are made of dif- ferent materials in different fpecies, fo are they dif- pofed in variety of different forms. Some are united clofely and compadly together, as in the red coral, fee Plate YdV II. letter A ; and in fome fpecies of the white, as at letter B ; in both of which they appear, combined together, forming irregular ramifications, like trees : Others rife in tufts, like groupes of the tu- bular ftalks of plants, diflinCl from one another. Two forts of thefe the fifhermen frequently take up at fea in their nets, particularly near the Buoy of the Nore, at the opening of the river Thames. When thefe are firft taken out of the fea, and immediately put into a bafon of fea water, you may obferve, that each tube has its proper polype, fitting on it, of a mofl beautiful crimfon colour. Letter £), in *Plate XVII. gives tis the figure of the largeft kind, called, in Ray's Synopjis , Ed. 3. p. 31. Adi anti aurei minimi facie plant a ma- rina ; and letter C is a fmaller kind, called, in Ray's Synopfis, Ed. 3. p. 39. Fucus Dealenfis fjhilojus ta- rings Jimilis. To Tbi/os. Trans I Common Jit if Coral v to a hew ito tales | tauter it * calcaj'tous tin r// covering. A fiiece of Tulu/ar ^|g| iv/iite Cerral n'ifA tie cjicning of tiie Titles in tie Insufe andattfie ends of tiie brandies . y Tubular Cora //me wrinkled b/te the wind /dfe . /Jfoubu/ar (bra/hne # ) Jlb'ke Oaten f/ge. • \ThcHooC of t/ie Wlle/nng Bone Cora l tin e magnt - fled being a. \combmation of HVermtettlar lit /tea -A s' tna/l 6 ranch of /At tl afifie/ir'el alive fn- %fca. yferrtng Hone coralline- 5 -water in. CA e 3ficroscof e Herring Bone Coralline on an Oi/f/er j/iell . J.MynSe/cs. Fbilos Trans .VoL XLVTH . TAB. ’XVW.f.jos Great 'Thlnifar Coralline from Malta rvith Uit Scoto/ienc/raj . J' J J / [ 5°5 ] To thefe I fhall join thofe curious tubes, with their animals, which you were fo kind to fend me ; and think this fpecies may not improperly be called Co- rallina tubularia Melitenfis , cum fcalopendris fuis , ten - taculis dnobus duplicato-pinnatis , injiruttis. Upon taking the tubes and animals of this curious Maltefe coralline out of the fpirits of wine, wherein they had been prefcrved, I perceived a fmall flimy bag, in which they feemed to be inferted, and to take their rife from, as may be obferved at letter dy P/ateXVlll. What has been the ufe of this bag, is un- certain, unlefs we conjecture it to have been the ma- trix of feveral of thefe fcolopendras in their embrio ftate. The tubes, which are built by the inclofed ani- mals, as they rife in height, gently increafe in dia- meter : The texture of their outfide coat is formed of an afh- coloured earthy matter, of different fhades in different ftrata, and clofely united to an inner coat, which is of a tough, horny, tranfparent, and very fmooth fubftance ; the cavity, or infide, of the tube, is perfectly round, tho’ the animal is of a long com- preffed figure, like a leach extended. It appears, from the marks of its feet on the infide of the tube, that it can turn itfelf freely about, and move up and down, the better to attack and fecure its prey. This fcolopendra has two very curious and re- markable tentaculi, or arms, the left much larger than the right 5 thefe are doubly feathered, as may be feen, in the magnified part, at C : The number ot feet on each fide of the body of this animal exceeds one hundred and fifty. S s s The [ 5°6 ] The annexed Plate XVIII. will beft explain the reft ; where b is the belly-part of the animal, in its na- tural fize, hanging out of its tube. B is the fame fide of the whole animal a little mag- nified. a is the back-part of the head of the animal, fitting in its tube. A is the back-part of the whole animal a little mag- nified. e fhews the infide of the tube with the ftrata, or rings* feen through the horny inner coat. I return you my thanks for this favour, and think, that the largenefs and diftindtnefs of the animals and tubes, in this fpecies, ferve greatly to illuftrate that genus of corallines which I have called tubulary. I am, S I R, Your much obliged, and Lawrence Lane, Feb. 7,1754. obedient humble fervant, John Ellis. P. S. The coralline called in Ray’s Synopf. Ed. 2. p. 2. and Ed. 3. p. 36. N° 1 5. Fruticulus mari - mis, cauliculis crajjiufculis teretibus rigidis , pen- natus , which I have named the herring-bone coralline, and which is very common on oyfiers all the winter feafon, fhews remarkably, by the help of a common magnifying glafs, the tubu- lary t S°7 ] lary ftrudture, not only of fome of the corals and corallines, but of the keratophytons, or fea feather ; only with this difference, that the tubes of the herring-bone coralline are of a fpongy elaftic nature, and always remain open ; whereas the others, being of a more foft and vifcid na- ture, by time, and the heat of the climate, are compreffed together, and harden, fome into done, and l'ome into horn or wood : But this I may explain, perhaps, more clearly hereafter. In Plate XVII. you have, at E , the natural fize and appearance of the herring-bone coralline ; at F and G the root, and one of the upper branches, are mag- nified, to fhew the tubes. LXV. Obfervations on the late fever e cold Weather . By William Arderon, F. R. S. and Henry Miles, D . D. F. R . S. Part of a Letter frcrn William Arderon, F. R. S . to Henry Baker, F. R. S. containing Obferva- tions , made at Norwich, on the late fevere cold Weather . * Dear Sir , Read Feb. i i/y Have not time to fend you now a dif- *754. tindt account of all the obfervations I have been making this fevere feafon y but the few that follow will, I hope, excufe me to you, for the pre- fent. They were taken by thermometers expofed to S s s, 2 the C 508 3 the open air, in my garden, which varied Tome- times 40 or 50 degrees in 24 hours ; the cold com- ing, as it were, by fits, in a furprifing and unui'ual manner. December 50, at 1 1 o’clock at night. — All the fpi- rits in Haukfbee’s thermometer retired into the ball, and Farenheit’s flood at 20 degrees : At this time I let down a Farenheit’s thermometer into the river, to the depth of 4 feet, during 1 2 minutes ; and, when taken up, it flood at 33 degrees. This fame evening I expofed an open glafs jar full of water, in my garden, to be frozen ; and in the morning it was all lolid ice, rifing in the middle, in figure like the fruflum of a cone. I expofed alfo, in the fame place, an open glafs of ale, which froze even to the bottom, in a very odd manner 3 for the watry or weaker parts were frozen into plates of ice, flicking one to another by their edges, the more fpi- rituous parts remaining between them, in their inter- faces, unfrozen 3 which being drained off into an- other glafs, the tafle was almofl as flrong as brandy, with an high flavour of the hop. The rhine, or hoar-frofl, now obferved on hori- zontal planes, was compofed of curious thin figured plates, Handing perpendicular thereto 3 fome, at lead, four-tenths of an inch in length. Dec. 3 1 — This evening the cold was the mofl in- tenfe I have obferved it this feafon 3 for at ten o’clock Farenheit’s thermometer flood at 15 degrees. January 1. — This afternoon it began to thaw, and in the night froze again, whereby, next morning, our buildings in general appeared as if they had been white- waflied on the outfide, being cafed all over with rhine [ 5°9 ] rhine and ice; and the infides of garrets and out- houfes were covered in the fame manner. Jan. 31. — I expofed a glals of proof fpirits, im- pregnated with the effence or oil extracted from the peel of oranges, at 10 in the evening, in my garden, when Flaukfbee’s thermometer flood at 930 : At 8 next morning, I found it no way affedted by the frofl; nor did there feem any difference either in tafle, or fmell. February 6. — This morning, at 8 o’clock, I ex- pofed, in my garden, a drinking-glafs of water, which was completely frozen over in one minute’s time; and in 1 y minutes the ice was above one-tenth of an inch in thicknefs. Farenheit’s thermometer then ifood at 21 degrees. A coarfe grey thread, two feet in length, being dipped in water, froze, in 4, feconds, fo fliff, that I took it by one end, and held it upright, as if it had been a piece of wire. If any part of the human fkin, the finger, for in- flance, was wet with fpittle, and immediately preffed on a piece of iron, in the open air, it would be froze fo faff, as to flick to it ; and, if plucked away haflily, would endanger the tearing off the fkin from the flefh. I tried the fame experiment upon lead ; but the flick- ing was much lefs, and to wood the finger did not flick at all. In fome places the ice was one- eighth of an inch thick, for feveral days together, within-fide of our windows (and that even in rooms where fire was kept) ; and when the weather grew warmer, it did not fall in drops, but vanifhed imperceptibly into the air, by which it had been brought thither. Thefe C 510 -} Thefe plates or cafes of ice were lometimes an af- femblage of an infinite number of particles not much unlike the fcales of fifties : Sometimes they refembled fmall lpines, or the cryftal fhootings of various kinds of falts ; and fometimes they reprefented a variety of landfcapes with trees and plants, from one to three or four inches in length, in fo beautiful and admirable a manner, as neither pen nor pencil can exprefs. Our ftreets were now entirely covered with con- gealed fnow and ice, which being very much tram- pled on by men and beafts, as well as ground by car- riages, a great part thereof was reduced to a kind of powder, like duft in the fummer-time, and would probably have been blown about, had there been a ftrong wind to raife it. I would not trouble you with the whole train of my obfervatio.ns on the late froft, but have feledted what I thought moft remarkable, which, I doubt not, you will candidly accept, from, dear Sir, Your moft humble fervant, Norwich, Feb. 11, 1754‘ William Arderon, Mr. Baker having received this morning, from the Reverend Dr. Miles, F. R S. fome farther obferva- tions on the late cold weather, begs leave to add them in his own words. Part of a Letter from Henry Miles, £). D. Pray, Sir, have you obferved, in the laft Gentleman's Magazine , an account of a degree of cold. Decern. 30, near [ 5“ 1 near Bath, which to me exceeds all reafonable belief, viz. 30 degrees below o in Farenheit’s fcale, and this at 10 o’clock p. m. ? The morning of December 30. here (at Tooting), a little before day, my thermometer was at 1 8, i. c. 14, degrees below o; but at night, about 8 o’clock* no more than 8 degrees : But Feb. 7. at near 7 o’clock a. m. it flood at 1 4, i. e. 1 8 degrees below o ; which was the greatefl degree of cold I have ob- ferved in this or any other year. — I fhould not have mentioned this account from Bath, but that the gen- tleman, who gives it, feems to have a good inflru- ment, and mentions his having been converfant with fuch matters many years. If there be no miflake, it is an unaccountable phenomenon to me. In all my obfervations, I have found the greatefl degree of cold to be about an hour before fun-rifing, in time of frofi ; which is what one would reafonably expedl, if the Jroji holds ail night. I can guefs at the caufe of an uncommon local warmth > but not fo of an un- ufual degree of cold. I have had fome thoughts of laying a few thermo- metrical obfervations, I have made this feafon, before the Royal Society , but know not whether they will be acceptable, from. S I R, Your very affedlionate humble fervant* Tooting, Feb. 13, 5 7 54* LX VI. A [ 5 >2 3 LXVI. A Letter from Monfieur de L’lfle, of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, to the Reverend James Bradley, D. D. AftrGnomer Royal , and Savilian Projejjor of Afronomy at Oxford. Tr (inflated, jrom the French. S I R, Paris, Nov. 30, 1752. Read Feb. 2I»T' Have received the letter, which you I did me the honour of writing to me on the 2 2d of Auguft this year, O. S. together with the obfervations made by you at Greenwich, which correfpond with thofe of Monfieur de la Caille made at the cape of Good Hope, with relation to the paral- lax of the Moon, Venus, and Mars, i now fend you, according to your defire, the companion, which I have made between your obfervations and thcfe of Monfieur de la Caille. I have, at prefent, only com- pared thofe of Mars; and tho’ a considerable number of them have been made by you both, yet I find but fix, which really correfpond, that is, which have been made on the fame ftar, and in the fame night ; there being between them only the interval of time necef- fary for pafling from the meridian of the cape to that of Greenwich. From many obfervations of Mon- fieur de la Caille, compared with thofe made in Eu- rope, we are affured, that the cape of Good Hope is eaft of Greenwich P1 14.' ; and this is the difference of longitude, which I have fuppofed, in order to re- duce your obfervations to thofe of the cape. As [ 5i3 ] As you have not fet down your firft obfervations on the fuperior or northern limb of Mars, as Mon- fieur De la Caille mention’d, that he would do on his part ; I have been obliged to fuppofe the apparent diameter of Mars known ; and, in the ufe of your hr ft obfervations, I have confidered it, as, or a little lefs than, you found it, when you began toobferve. The firft obfervation, which you made correfpond- ing with that of Monfieur De la Caille, is of Auguft 31. in the morning, on which day you found, that the center of Mars in the meridian was 1 T 2 1" fouth of dar 33 of Pifces. If we deduct 13" for the apparent femidiameter of Mars at that time, ii' 8" will be the difference of the declination of the north- ern limb of Mars and the dar in the meridian of Greenwich. The diurnal variation of Mars in the declination was, at that time, 4' 47" ; whence we may conclude it to be 14" 48'" for ih 14', to be fubtradted from the didance obferved at Greenwich, in order to reduce it to what it would have been in the meri- dian of the Cape : So that, by your obfervation, the northern limb of Mars would have been fouth of the dar 10' 53" 12". MonfieurDe laCaille found, that dar north of the northern limb of Mars io' 18" 24'". The difference therefore is 34" 48'", for the lum of the parallaxes of the height of Mars, on that day, in the meridian of Greenwich and the Cape. Here follows what I have found, with refped to the other days. Sept. 4. in the morning, at Greenwich, Ri- t /; n/ gel fouth of the centre of Mars . . 7 yo 30 Semidiameter of Mars . . . , o 1 3 00 T tt Riget [ 5*4 ] Rigel fouth of the northern limb of Mars / ~ at Greenwich . . . . . 8 3 30 Diurnal variation in the declination 4' 8", anfwering to ih 14' . . . . o 12 47 Rigel fouth of the northern limb of Mars by the obfervations of Greenwich re- duced to that of the Cape . .81617 The fame diftance obferved at the Cape 8 51 50 Difference or fum of the parallaxes of the height of Mars . . . o 35* 13 Oft. 3. in the evening, at Greenwich, the northern lirpb of Mars was fouth of the ftar a of Aquarius . . . . 4 42 30 The diurnal variation of Mars in decli- nation o' 5-9", anfwering to ih 14' o 3 2 On the 6th of September Mars fouth of the ftar, reduced to the meridian of the Cape 4 45- 32 The diftance obferved at the Cape . .4 95-4 The fum of the parallaxes of the height of Mars . . . . » o 35* 38 Oft. 4. in the evening, at Greenwich, the ftar A was north of the northern limb of Mars , . * . . . , 3 26 o The diurnal variation in declination 1' 18', anfwering to ih 14' . .041 4 The t 5*5 ] The ftar northern Sept. 6. of Mars, re- / n duced to the meridian of the cape 330 i Obferved at the Cape * . . • . 2 f 8 1 2 The fum of the parallaxes of the height of Mars * . . . o 31 49 Od. 7. in the evening, at Greenwich, the ftar a fouth of the northern limb of Mars . . . * . 2 17 a The diurnal variation of the declination 2' 10", anfwering to ih 14/ . . o <5 42 The ftar fouth on the 6th of Sept, of Mars, reduced to the Cape . . 2 10 18 Obferved at the Cape . . . . 2 36 36 Sum of the parallaxes of the height of Mars *■ » »■ • *- . o 26 18 Od. 9. in the evening, at Greenwich, the ftar a fouth of the northern limb of Mars 7 3 f o Diurnal variation of the declination 21 49", anfwering to ih 14' . .0 8 42 The flat a fouth of the northern limb of Mars, reduced to the Cape . . 7 26 Obferved at the Cape . . . . 7 57 24 The fum of the parallaxes of the height of Mars . . - . • 0 3 1 & T 1 1 2 The C 516 ] This fum of the parallaxes, which I have found from each obfervation, is the angle at Mars formed by the two vifual rays taken by two obfervers of the fame point of Mars. I afterwards deduced, from every one of thefe fix obfervations, the horizontal parallax of Mars, by taking it in the fame ratio to the total fine, which that angle at Mars is to the fum of the fines of the apparent diftance of Mars in the ze- nith of each obferver ; and I found the horizontal parallax of Mars as you fee hereunder. 1751. Aug.31. Sept. 14. Oft. 3. 4- 7- II 26 III 42' the hori- n " 0 m 2 i 27 10 zontal pa- 0 1 27 35 rallaxes ( 2 34 1 24 34 of $ for' 2 46 20 20 each ob- 3 20 27 35, fervation. \3 46. additional correc- tions for reducing the parallaxes to what they ought to be in the opposition ofMarstotheSun. As the horizontal parallax of Mars varies accord- ing to the diftance of Mars from the Earth, I have calculated, by Dr. Halley’s tables, the real diftances of Mars from the Earth at the times of your fix obfer- vations above-mentioned, and at the time of the op- pofition of Mars to the Sun j after which, making ufe of the ratio between thefe diftances, I examined how much the horizontal parallax of Mars muft be lefs, in each of your obfervations, than at the time of that oppofttion. Thefe are the quantities, which comprife the fmall table given above, under the title of corre&ions. Thefe quantities, being added to the parallax deduced ftmply from each obfervation, have given the horizontal parallax, fuch as it ought to be in each obfervation reduced to the time of the oppo- sition. The [ 5*7 1 The calculations being made, here follows what I have found with refped to the horizontal parallax of Mars at the time of the oppofition. By the obfervation of 3 1 Aug. 14 Sept. 3 Od. 4 7 9 // m *7 9 27 / 1 1 30 9 # 27 20 23 40 * 27 39 By taking a mean or arithmetical medium between thefe 6 determinations, we may conclude the hori- zontal parallax of Mars, at the time of the oppo- fition, to be 27" 11"' : but as there are two determi- nations, which differ from each other about 3", and which are thofe of the 3d and 7th of Odober; we may rejed them, and then we fhall find the mean between the other four to be 27" 20"'. Hence you fee, Sir, that whether we reject thofe two determi- nations, or employ them, the horizontal parallax of Mars, at the time of the oppolition, comes out near 27" 4-; and according to the ratio of the diftance of the Sun and Mars from the Earth at that time, we conclude the horizontal parallax of the Sun to be about 10" ~. This is what I have been able hitherto to conclude from your obfervations of Mars, with refped to the parallax of the Sun. Having made the fame calcu- lations from my own obfervations, and thofe of other aftronomers, which I could hitherto colled ; I have found very near the fame parallax of the Sun, by C Si8 ] taking a medium between all the obfervations of each aftronomer. But I have not always found, that the different obfervations of other afironomers agree fo well with each other, as yours do : For which reafon, I have been a little more doubtful in concluding the true parallax of the Sun ; and I have no hopes of be- ing able to determine it more precifely, than I have done from your obfervations, till I have verified the obfervations of all the other afironomers by each other, and rejected thofe, which fhall be found evi- dently faulty, after a rigorous examination of them, which I intend to make. I have not yet compared your other obfervations with thofe of Monfieur de la Caille : 1 propofe to do it, as foon as I fhall have leifure. I fend you, in the mean time, his obfervations, which our Academy has publifhed, in order to give other afironomers the fa- tisfadlion of comparing them with their own. I do not doubt, that you, Sir, have thought of the tranfit of Mercury over the Sun, expedled on the 6th of May next year. I have made a calculation of it from Dr. Halley’s tables, redlified, not only by cor- rections given by himfelf after the tranfit in 1723, but likewife from the obfervations made upon the tranfit in 1740, at Cambridge in New England ; fo that I hope to be exadt within a few minutes, with refpedt to the ingrefs and emerfion of Mercury into and from thedifkof the Sun. I have calculated, that the ingrefs will be at 2h 44/ in the morning at Paris, and the emerfion at ioh 37 and, confequently, the duration of the palfage 711 53' j, and, likewife, that Mercurv will pafs near the centre of the Sun ; which is lulhcient to inform the afiro- nomers. [ 5*9 ] nomers, of the prefent age, of the time, when they are to expedt the tranfit : Whereas thofe, who fhall make life of Caffini’s tables, from which our ephemerides, and thofe of Italy, are calculated, will be miftakm no lefs than 4 hours ; the tranfit being to happen fo long fooner by thofe tables, than by Dr. Halley's. This difference appeared to me confiderable enough to deferve, that aflronomers fhould be acquainted with it > and this I am preparing to do by an adver- tifement, which will be immediately published. In the mean time, I thought it proper to fend to the Eaft Indies, to endeavour to procure from thence exadt obfervations of the tranfit in thofe places, where the whole duration may be obferved. The emerfion may be feen, in part of North America, a little after fun- rife ; and fince an accurate obfervation, which may be made there, will ferve to determine the pa- rallax of the Sun, if thofe obfervations are compared with the others to be made in the Eaft Indies, I am obliged to write to you, to requeft you to recommend to all thofe, who fhall be able, and have an opportu- nity to make this obfervation, in your Englifh co- lonies, to attend to it ; and that the Royal Society will likewife make ufe of their intereft for that purpofe. I have found, that at Cambridge near Boflon, where Mr. Winthrop obferved the tranfit in 1740, Mercury's emerfion from the Sun will be at 5h 47' in the morning; which is yi minutes after fun-rife : At New York it will be yh 32', which is 34 minutes after fun-rife ; in other places, in the neighbourhood, it will be, in proportion, nearer or farther from fun- rife j as will be eafily calculated. But it were to be wi fil’d. [ 52° ] wilh’d, that the obfervation fhould be made princi- pally in thofe places, the longitude of which is known, with the utmoti: exadtnefs potiible, from other obfer- vations ; which would ferve the better to determine the parallax of the Sun by the comparifon of thofe obfervations with fuch, as fhall be made in the Eaft Indies. We already have a confiderable number of obfervations relating to the longitude of Cambridge and New York, betides the new ones, which may be ft ill made there ; fo that thofe two places would be the molt proper to obferve the approaching trantit of Mercury over the Sun ; which I detire you to recom- mend to the Royal Society, in order that they may exert all their intereti: to procure fuch obfervations. I am, with perfect efteem, S I R, Your moft humble, and moll obedient fervant, De I/Ifle. Defcription of a Piece of Mechanifn contrived by James Fergufon ,for exhibiting theTimey Duration 3 and Quantity , of Solar Eclipfesy in all Places of the Earth . Read Feb. 1 7 54* 2i, r | A HE principal Parts of this ma- chine (See Plate XIX.) are, i. A terreftrial globe turned round, by a handle. Oil 1* kilos. Trans. /£/. XLYIII TAB I C 521 ] on an axis inclined 2 3^ degrees. On this axis is an index, which goes round a dial-plate of 24, hours in each rotation of the globe. 2. A circular plate, on whofe limb are inferted the months and days of the year. This plate fupports the globe, and, by turning it till any given day comes to a fixed pointer called the annual index, gives the axis of the globe the fame pofition to the fun, or to a candle properly placed, that the earth’s axis has to the fun on that day of the year. 3. A penumbra, or thin circular piece of brafs, divided into twelve digits by concentric circles, which reprefent a fedtion of the moon’s penumbra, and is proportioned to the fize of the globe ; fo that the fha- dow of this plate, formed by the fun, or a candle placed at a convenient diftance, with its rays tranf- mitted thro’ a convex lens, to make them fall parallel on the plate, covers exadtly all thofe places on the globe, which the moon’s fhadow and penumbra do on the earth. So that any folar eclipfe may be fhewn with this machine, by candle-light, almoff as well as by the light of the fun. 4. A frame, on the two upright fides of which arc feales of the moon’s latitude, or declination from the ecliptic. To thefe feales are fitted two fliders, with indices for adjufting the penumbra’s centre to the moon’s latitude, as it is north or fouth, afeending or defeending. y. A crooked wire, which always points to the middle of the earth's enlightened difk. 6. A folar horizon, dividing the enlightened from the darkened bemifphere of the globe, and fhewing at what places the general eclipfe begins, is at the "Uiiu greatefl [ 522 ] * * * greateft obfcuration, or ends, with the rifing or fetting nm. 7. A handle, which, by wheel-work, turns the globe round its axis, and at the fame time, by a thread and pullies, carries the penumbra over its furface with a velocity proportional to that of the moon’s fhadow over the earth; which being quicker or flower, ac- cording to the different diftances of the moon from the earth, is eafily regulated, in the machine, by changing one of the pullies. To redilfy the machine for ufe. The true time of new moon, and her latitude at that time, muff be firft known. If her latitude ex- ceeds the number of minutes on the fcales, there can be no eelipfe of the fun at that conjunction ; but if it does not, the fun will be eclipfed to fome places of the earth : And to fhew the times and various ap- pearances of the eelipfe, at thofe places, proceed in order, as follows : If you reCtify for performing by the light of the fun; 1. Move the Aiders till their indices point to the moon’s latitude on the fcales, as it is at that time north or fouth, afeending or defeending. 2. Turn the month-plate till the day of new moon comes to the annual index. 3. Unfcrew the collar on the axis of the handle, and fet the penumbra, by hand, till its centre comes to the perpendicular thread in the middle of the frame. 4. Turn the handle till the meridian of London, on the globe, comes juft under the point of the crooked wire ; flop there, and turn the hour-circle, by hand, till XII. at noon comes to 2 its [ 523 1 its index, y. Turn the handle till the hour-index on its circle points to the time of new moon, and, holding it there, fcrew faft the collar on its axis. Laftly, elevate the machine till the fun fhines thro’ the two fight- holes on its pedeftal ; and the whole will be rectified. To reSiify for /hewing by candle-light , proceed, in every refped, as above, fave in the laft article ; in- ftead of which, place a candle before the machine, about four yards from it, fo as the fhadow of the in- terfedion of the threads, in the middle of the frame, may fall precifely on that part of the globe, to which the crooked wire points : Then, with a pair of com- paffes, take the diftance betwixt the penumbra’s cen- tre and interfedion of the threads, and equal to that diftance fet the candle higher or lower, as the pe- numbra’s centre is above or below the faid inter- fedion. Laftly, Hold a convex lens betwixt the pe- numbra and candle, fo as the candle may be in its focus. Thefe things done, which may be as foon as ex- preffed, turn the handle backward until the penumbra almoft touches the right fide of the frame ; then turn it gradually forward, and obferve the following phe- nomena : i. Where the eaftern edge of the fhadow of the brafs penumbra firft touches the globe at the folar ho- rizon, thofe, who inhabit the correfponding part of the earth, fee the eclipfe begin on the uppermoft edge of the fun juft at the time of its riling. 2. In that place where the centre of the penumbra firft touches the globe, the inhabitants have the fun riling upon them centrally eclipfed. 3. When the whole pen- U u u 2 umbra [ 524 ] umbra juft falls upon the globe, its weftern edge at the folar horizon touches and leaves the place, where the eclipfe is ending on the lowermoft edge of the fun at its riftng. Continue turning, and, 4 The crofs lines in the centre of the penumbra will go over all thofe places of the globe, where the fun is cen- trally eclipfed. y. When the eaftern edge of the fhadow touches any place of the globe, the eclipfe begins there: When the vertical line in the pe- numbra comes to any place, then is the greateft oblcuration at that place ; and when the weftern edge of the penumbra leaves the place, the eclipfe there ends; the times of all which are fhewn by the index on the hour-circle : And from the begin- ning to the end the fhadows ol the concentric circles Ihew the number of digits eclipfed at all the inter- mediate times. 6. When the eaftern edge of the penumbra leaves the globe under the folar horizon, the inhabitants fee the fun beginning to be eclipfed on his lowermoft edge at its fetting. 7. Where the penumbra’s centre leaves the globe, the inhabitants fee the fun fet centrally eclipfed. And, laftly, where the penumbra is wholly departing from the globe, the inhabitants fee the eclipfe ending on the uppermoft part of the fun’s edge at the time of its difappearing in the horizon. References to the figure of the machme. ,/], the terreftrial globe. B , its axis. C, the folar horizon. D> the hour circle, with its index. Ey the month-plate Fy the crooked wire. G, the annual index. H, H> H, H , the fquare frame, the feales being on the fides hid from the view taken [ 525 ] taken in the drawing. 7, the penumbra. K , K , the Aiders. L, L, L, L, pullies, over which the line runs, that moves the penumbra. M, the han- dle, to which both ends of the line are Axed. N, a collar on the axis of the handle. O, O, the fights on the pedeftal. LX VIII. A Letter from the Reverend Henry Miles, D. D. F. R. R. to Mr. John Canton, F. R. R. concerning the late hard hF lather . D ear Sir , Read Feb. aSj'y Thank you for your account of the /5+ JL Aate of your thermometer, on the days moft remarkable for cold this leafon ; and, in a paper inclofed, have fent you the regifter I made of my thermometer (fee p. 527.), on the fame days, ac- cording to your deiire wh^ph, if you pleafe, you may lay before the Royal Society, with the few following remarks : You tell me, you have never before obferved fo great a degree of cold ; nor have I, for feverai years before you began to make your obfervations, or fince you did. It was in the year 1740. when I, occafion- ally, hung a mercurial thermometer abroad ; and in February, the following year, -conftantly. Not having heard, that any one had ufed to do fo, I was led to it> by a very fenfible warmth in the air, which I per- ceived upon accidentally looking out at my window, a good while before day : So that I cannot undertake to ■t 526 1 to afcertain the degree of cold, which we may have had, higher than that time. The near agreement between your regifter and mine is remarkable, at noon and night, when the ob- fervations were made at the fame hour. The con- fiderable difference, on the y h inftant, a. m. when your thermometer was 6 deg. higher, I attribute, partly, to your obfervation being made an hour later than mine, and after the fun had been above the ho- rizon three-quarters of an hour: For I have found, by long obfervation, that the coldefl time of the day, in general, is between an hour, and half an hour, be- fore the fun rifes. But, perhaps, this difference may likewife have been occafioned, in part, by warm fleams tranfpiring the earth, at that time ; for I have feveral times obferved our fudden thaws, this winter, to have been attended with circumftances, which led me to think they had their rife from fuch a cauie. Some mornings, in a great froft, have been univerfally clear before day; when, having regiftered the ftation of the mercury, I afterwards frequently viewed the ther- mometer, and found it to rife 3, 4, or more, deg. when another, which I always regifter with it, and is on the fame fide of the houfe, but at a window of a room one ftory higher, has not rifen at all. From whence I expected a thaw, and never have been de- ceived. It has, in an hour’s time, grown cloudy, and the thaw vifible, and this before fun- riling, and with- out any change in the wind ; which maketh it pro- bable, it muft have been caufed by a fubterranean heat, palling thro’ the furface of the ground. I beg leave to make one obfervation more, which is, that the air in my chamber, which is moflly fliut up. C 527 ] up, hath not, upon a continued thaW, acquired the- fame degree of warmth with that abroad, fometimes, under three whole days. I am, dear Sir, Your, and the Royal Society’s mod; obedient humble fervant. Tooting,. Feb. 28,. I754* Henry Miles. P. S. On Dec. 31. laft, my thermometer flood at the fame degree, as it did on the 7th inflant, in the morning} which times were the coldeft, that I have obferved this feafon. ... — ■ . Regifter of the thermometer at Spital Square, in London. Feb. Regifter of tine thermometer at Surrey. Feb. Tooting, in. ‘754- Day 6. At7h| a.m. againllthe houfe 17 and in the garden 1 5 At 2 p. m. againli the houfe 2 j\ At 8 p. m. - - 21 ‘754- Day 6. At4h|a.m.againft thehoufe,cIear 1 5 . and never lower after. At 2 p. m. clear - - 28|. At 8 p. m. rnoftly clear - 20 Day 7. At 8 a. m. At 2 p. m. At 8 p. m. 20 30 - - 26 Day 7. At near 7 a. m. clear - At 2 p. m. partly cloudy At 8 p. m. clear alnioil 14 3 1 26. Day 8. At 8 a. m. Ac 2 p. m. At 8 p. m. zb 3 2 28 Day 8. At 6 a. m. cloudy At 2 p. m. cloudy At 8 p. m. cloudy 23 33. z8 Day 9. Ac 8 a. m. At 2 p. m. 26 35 5- Day 9. At 6 a. m. cloudy At 2 p. m. cloudy 23 3** The Reverend Dr. Bradley having obferved his thermometer,, at the Royal Obfervatory at Greenwich, to Hand at 14-, on the 6th inft. about 7h| a. m. it may be prefumed.to have Hood fome deg. lower teiore that time of the morning. LXXXh [ 528 ] LXIX. A Catalogue of the Fifty Plants from Chelfea-Garden, prefented to the Royal Society by the worjhipful Company of Apothecaries, for the 7 ear 1753. pur- fuatit to the DireBioti of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. Med. Reg. & Soc. Reg. nuper Prof. ; by John Wilmer, M. D. CiariJJ. Societatis Pharmaceut. Lord. Soc. Hort. Chelf. Prcef. P rceleEl. B atari. Read March iff i. /\ Nagallis caerulea foliis binis 7’ I'5+* j \ ternifve ex adverfo nafeen- tibus C. b. 1552. Ardtotis foliis ovatis dentatis petiolis longiffi- mis fuperne dentatis caule ramofo Flor. Leyd. Prod. Anemonofpermos Africana foliis Plantaginis flore fulphureo Com. rar. Pl-fs- 37- 1 5'5"3- Aftragalus caulefcens procumbens legumini- bus ferotiformibus inflatis mucronatis pilofis Hort. Up fat. 1 c 54.. Atriplex fylveftris fnnftu rofeo compreffo vel ftellato C. B. P. 155-5’. Baccharis foliis lanceolatis longitudinaliter den- tato ferratis Hort. Cliff'. Senecio Afric. ar- borefeens folio ferrato Boerb. 1 iy. 15 y6. Calendula foliis linearibys denticulatis & inte- gerrimis Flor. Leyd. ^Dimorphotheca fta- tices folio Vaillant. HT7- \ [ 529 ] 1 557. Cardims Lufitanicus luteus foliis coronopi gla- bris & rigidis cfourn . Injt. R. 11. 1558. Celtis frudtu obfcurc purpurafcente In ft. R. H. 612. 1 5 59. Centaurea calycibus duplicato-fpinofis fubro- tundis, foliis decurrentibus, lanceolatis finu- ofis inermibus floribus lateralibus Hort. Cliff. !j6o. Centaurea calycibus fubulato-fpinofis foliis de- currentibus, inermibus lanceolatis inferiori- bus dentatis H. Cliff. . 156 1. Centaurea calycibus ciliatis, foliis tomentofis pinnatifidis, foliolis ovatis integerrimis exteri- oribus majoribus Hort. Cliff. . Jacea Epi- daurica candidiffima & tomentofa Tour#. 445'* 1 562. Cerinthe Alpina perennis flore flriato Tourn. Inft. R. H. Glaftum montanum Dalecham *- pii Lugd. 1204. 1 5-63. Clinopodium montanum C.B.P . Acinos Auftriaca Clufii . 1564. Cynanchum caule volubili, fob reniformibus cordatis acutis Hort. Cliff. Periploca Monf- peliaca folio rotundiore Tour?:. 93. 1^65. Delphinium ne&ariis diphyllis labellis bifidis apice barhatis, foliis incifis, caule eredto H. UpJ'al. Delphinium Orientale, Aconiti fol. fb caerul T. Cor . 30. i y66. Diofma foliis fubulatis acutis Hort. Cliff. Spiraea Africana foliis cruciatim pofitis Com. rar. pi. Echinopus minor J. B. 3.7 2. 1568. X x x [ 53° ] 1 568. Eiichryfum fylveftre latifolium, fl. parvo fingu- lari ftcechadi citrini alter! inodore Lobelii Tourn. Infi. R. H. Affinis capitulis brevio- ribus J. B. 3. 157. 1569. Epilobiumfoliis lineari-lanceolatisintegerrimis, floribus corymbolis terminatricibus. 1 5-70. Eryngium Americanum foetidum Ituba Brafil. Hort. Leyd. 237. 1 57 1. Galenia Hort. Cliff'. Sherardia Pontider . 1572. Genifta tindtoria latifolia Lucenfis J. B. 1^73. Hefperis ficula frutefcens filiqua tricufpidi Tourn. Leucoium minus fruticans purpu- reum, montanum crucigerum Boc. p. 1. 148. T. 3. 1574. Hieracium incanum lanuginofum Ragufinum, pilofellsc flore Hort. Lugd. App. 1 575. Hippocrepis leguminibus folitariis fubfeffilibus Hort. Cliff. Ferrum equinum filiqua iin- gulari Tourn. 400. 1576. Hyoferis foliis glabris haftato-pinnatis Flor. Leyd . Prod. Dens leonis minor foliis radi- atis C. B. P. 1577. Kempferia Hort. Cliff. Aroorchis tuberofo platyphyllos Breyn . 1578. Leonuros Canadenfis origani folio Tourn . Injt. R.H. 187. Origanum Mulofum Ca- nadenfe Cornuti. Monarda Hort. Cliff. 1579. Malope foliis ovatis crenatis glabris Hort. Cliff Malacoides betonicae folio Tourn. Injt. 98. 1580. Marrubiaftrum vulgare Tourn. Sideritis al- fines triffaginis fol C.B.P . 233. i 5Sl* [ 53i ] 15S1. Mercurialis caule fruticofo, foliis tomentolis Hort. Cliff. 1582. Nerium Indicum anguftifolium, floribus odo- ratis fimplicibus Hort. Leyd. 1 183. Othonna foliis infimis lanceolatis integerrimis, fuperioribus finuato-dentatis Hort. Cliff. Jacobasa Africana frutefcens coronopi folio Corn. Hort. Amjt. p. 2. 139. 5584. Papaver caule unifloro nudo hifpido, foliis pin- nato-fmuatis Hort. UpJ'. 1585-. Perlicaria frutefcens maculofa Virginiana flore albo Park. Theat. Sfy. 1586. Phyfalis radice pererine foliis cordatis obtufis H. Cliff. Alkekengi Bonarienfe repens bacca turbinata vifcofa Hort. Eltham. p. 11. 15-87. Plumbago foliis petiolatis Hort. Cliff. Cey- lanenfis fol. fplendente Ocymaftri fl. ladleo Burman Zeyl. 195-. 15-88. Salvia foliis ovatis utrimque acuminatis fer- ratis H. Cliff. Sclarea Mexicana altiffima facie Heliotropii Hort. Elt. 339. 15-89. Sanicula Offic C. B. P. 319. Mas Fuchfii five Diapenfia J.B. 3. 639. 15-90. Saxifraga Alpina Ericoides flore caeruleo Pourn. Inft. R. H. Sedum Alpinum Eri- coides caeruleum C. B. Prod. 132. 15-91. Scabiofa corollulis quinquefidis foliis incifis, caule frutefcente Hort. Cliff. Scabiofa Afri- cana frutefcens Herman. Par. 219. 1592. Sefeli petiolis ramiferis membranaceis oblongis integris Hort. Cliff. Fteniculum fylveftre elatius Ferulas, fol. longiori Tourn. 3 1 1. X x x 2 [ 532 ] 15-93. Solarium Campechianum calycibus echinatls H. Elt. 360. Is94.. Soldanella Hort. Cliff. Alpina rotundifolia C.B. P. 295. 15-97. Sonchus floribus folitariis, foliorumlaciniis ex- trorfum flexis Hort. Cliff. Sonchus Tin- gitanus papaveris folio T. 4.75*. 15-96. Teucrium foliis lanceolatis integerrimis petio- latis, fpicis laxis fubrotundis Hort. Cliff. Polium lavendulas folio C. B. P. 220. 1 5-97. Thevetia Hort. Cliff. Ahovas major Pif. 15-98. Tordylium umbellulis remotis, foliis pinnatis pinnis fubrotundis laciniatis Hort. Cliff. 15-99. Veronica fpicata lanuginofa & incana floribus casruleis Amman. Ruth. 1600. Zigophyllum foliis fubfeffilibus Hort. Cliff. Fabago Africana arborefcens flore fulphureo, frudlu rot undo Com. Rar. 10. LXX. An Account of fome Experiments upon a Machine for meafuring the Way of a Ship at Sea . By Mr. J. Smeatoa, F. R. S. Head April *754- IN the Philo fophic at Tranfaftiom , N° 391. for November 1725-. Mr. Henry de Saumarez gives an account of a machine for mea- furing a fhips way more exa&ly than by the log. This machine confifts of a firft mover, in the form of the letter Y. Upon the two arms of the Y are fatt- ened two vanes, inclined in fuch a manner, that when the [ 533 ] the Y is hauled through the water by a rope, fattened to the ttem or tail thereof, it may turn round, and, of confequence, endeavour to turn the rope round. The other end of the rope, being fattened to the end of a fpindle capable of moving freely round, will be made to do fo by the rotations of the Y, communi- cated to the rope. A motion being thus communi- cated to a fpindle within the flhip, this fpindle may be made to drive a fett of wheel- work, which will regifter the turns of the Y ; and the value of a cer- tain number of thefe turns being once found, by pro- per experiments, they are eafily reducible into leagues and degrees, csV. The only difficulty then is, whe1- ther this Y will make the fame number of rotations in going the fame fpace, when it is carried through the water faft, as when it is carried flow. Upon this head Mr. de Saumarez, as well in the paper above- cited, as in a fublequent one publifhed in Philo f tfranf N° 408. for March 1729. has given an ac- count of feveral trials, which he has made of it, from which it appears, that this machine, in part, anfwers the end propofed ; and is, in part, defective : The errors of which he fuppofes to proceed from the fink- ing down of the Y into the water, upon a flow mo- tion ; the axis of its rotation being then more oblique to the horizon than in a quick one. In a machine, conftrudted like this, it is evident, that the end of the fpindle, to which the rope is fatt- ened, mutt; be of fufficient ftrength and thicknefs, not only to bear the force or ftrefs, that the hauling of the Y through the water will lay upon it, in the greateft motion of a fhip; but alfo to bear the acci- dental jerks, that the waves will fuperadd thereto. The [ 534 ] The thicknefs of the fpindle then being determined by thefe conditions ; it is alfo manifeft, that, to pre- vent the fpindle from being palled out of its place by the draft of the rope, there muft be a fhoulder formed upon it, which muft be greater than the part of the fpindle before defcribed, for the fpindle to bear againft. The fize, that Mr. Saumerez propofes to give to his Y, is 27 inches the whole length ; r y inches for the length of the arms (which are to be opened to a right angle) ; 8 inches for the length of each vane ; 4 inches and an half broad, and the items and fliank to be two-thirds of an inch thick. Ac- cording to thefe dimenfions, the reftftance, that this part of the machine will meet with, in pafting thro’ the water, will, in the fwift motions of the fhip, be very confiderable : confequently, the neceflary bulk of the pivot-end of the fpindle, and its fhoulder, will occalion a confiderable fridtion in the turning thereof, and retardation to the rotation of the machine. To cure thefe defedts, as much as poftible, inftead of the Y before defcribed, I made trial of a fingle plate of brafs, of about ) o inches long, 2 and an half broad, one-thirtieth of an inch thick, and cut into an oval fhape. This plate being fet a little atwift, and faftened by one end to a fmall cord, in the man- ner of the Y, is likewife capable of making a ro- tation, in being drawn through the water j but with this difference, that as this is but a fmall thin plate drawn edgeways through the water, its refiftance, in pafting through it, is much lefs ; of confequence, a much fmaller line is fufftcient to hold it, which again conftderably diminifhes the refiftance ; and this, of courfe, proves a double diminution of fridtion in the fpindle : [ 555 3 fpindle: Firft, as the preftfure upon it is Ieis ; and, fe- condly, as it allows the fpindle and fhoulder to be of a lefs diameter. To break the jerks of the waves ; next to the end of the fpindle I fixed a fpiral fpring of wire, to which the cord was fattened ; which, by this means, was capable of playing backwards and forwards, and giving way to the irregularities of the fea : and, left: the plate fhould lay faft hold of any thing, or any extraordinary jerk fhould damage the fpindle or fpring, a knob, or button, was fattened upon the cord, at a fmall diftance from the fpring, which flopped upon a hole in a piece of wood, and prevented the fpring from being pulled out to above a certain length 5 fo that all addition of force, beyond this, could only tend to break the cord, and carry away the plate. The fpindle, being thus guarded from accidents, will allow of a ttill further diminu- tion of its fize ; fo that, at laft, I ventured to make the fpindle-pivot no more than one-twentieth of an inch diameter, and that of the fhoulder one-eighth ; being of tempered tteel, and fufficiently fmooth. The hole, in which the pivot, and againft which the fhoulder worked, was of agate likewife, well po- liihed. Being thus provided, in May 17 fi- I procured a boat, upon the ferpentine river in Hyde-park, to try how far the turns of the machine would be confittent with themfelves, when the fame fpace was meafured over with the fame, and with different velocities. The courfe was determined at each end, by obferving the coincidence of two trees, in a line nearly at right angles to the river. We, however, rowed beyond the 5 mark. [ 536 ] mirk, that the machine might be in full play when the courfe was begun : The lpindle was flopped at the beginning and end ; the numbers read off, and were as follows : i The lpace between the marks was, by eftimation, about half a mile. Revert ‘ i ll rowing up the river, in 1 1 min. the plate made 61 y 2d down 14. . . . 6^y 3d up 18 and an half . 61 z 4th down 9 and an half . 603 yth up 1 8 620 6 th down 10 * . . 600 It is obfervable, that the greatefl difference, among the above obfervations, is between the 2d and 6th, being 645 and 600 ; the difference being about one fourth part of the whole ; the times being 14 mi- nutes and 10, both in going down the river : Whereas thofe obfervations, which differ mofl in point of time viz. the 3d and 4th, being performed in 18 minutes and an half, and 9 minutes and an half, refpedively ; have their revolutions more nearly alike, being 61 2 and 603 ; which differ only by one fixty-eighth of the whole. From thefe obfervations I was led to think, that the different velocities, wherewith a veffel moves forwards, would make no material difference in the number of rotations of the plate j or, at leafl, that thofe differences would be lefs than the irregula- rities ariling from other caufes, even in trials nearly iimilar. The ' [ 537 1 The next trial of this machine was on board a' fmall failing vefiel, in company with Dr. Knight, and Mr. William Hutchinfon, an experienced lea man, and matter of a confiderable merchant-fhip. Our expe- dition was upon the river Thames, and fome leagues below the Nore. • The intention of the trial here was, to find, in general, how far it agreed with the log, and how it would behave in the fwell of the fea ; a comparifon with the rheafure of a real difiance being here impracticable, on account of the tides and currents. The method of trial was this: We fuffered the whole log-line to run out, being 357 feet between the firfi knot and the end. The perion, who hove the log, gave notice, at the extremes of this meafure, that the perfon, who attended the dial of the machine, might fiop the fpindle at the beginning and end ; while a third obferved, by a feconds- watch, the time taken up in running thefe 3 57 feet. By thefe means, we were enabled to afcertain the comparative velocity, wherewith w'e moved, and the number of turns of the plate at each trial, correfponding to 3 57 feet by the log ; which, if the machine and log were both ac- curate, ought to have been always the fame. The particulars of thefe experiments are contained in the following table. Yyy Turns f 538 ] Turns of the Plate. 83 In the river at anchor by the tide 82 The fame repeated 8 1 Sailing in the river 79 In the river at anchor by the tide 76 ^ailing in the river 74 At fe i upon a wind 7+ The fame repeated 7 1 Sailing in the river . . . 70 The fame . 70 Before the wind at fea 70 1 he fame .... 70 The fame .... 66 Before the wind in the river 64 The fame . 64 The fame ... 64 The fame .... 63 At fea upon a wind 62 The fame . 62 Sailing in the river I24A 134 98 x3f llS 64 69 7i 66 77 & SS S3 60 Seconds of time during the run- ning out of 35 7 feet of log-line 43 S3 S1 AS It appears from thefe trials, made in different po- rtions of the veffel with regard to the wind, both in the river and at fea, as well by the tides at anchor, as in failing, that the turns of the plate, correfpond- ing with the fpace of 3 57 feet by the log, were from 62 to 83 ; and the times, in which this fpace was run, were from 45 to 13 y feconds j the greater number of revolutions anfwering to the greater number of fe- conds, or flower movement of the veffel. Upon finding this considerable difagieement between the log and plate, when fwift and flow motions are com- pared,’ I did not fuppofe, that they proceeded from a retard- [ 539 1 retardation of the plate in fwift motions, but from the hauling home of the log in flow ones. As for inflance; the log, to doits office accurately, ought to remain at red; in the water, whatever be the motion of the veffel. But even the keeping the line ftrait, and much more the fuffering the log to haul the line off the reel (as praffifed by many), will make the log, in fome meafure, follow the vefTel, and will be greater, in proportion as the time of continuance of this aft ion is greater ; and therefore the log will fol- low the fhip twice as far in going one knot, when the (hip is twice as long in running it. The confequence of this is, that a veffel always runs over a greater (pace than is (hewn by the log-line ; but that this error is greater, in proportion as the veffel moves (lower. It is this reafon, I fuppofe, that has induced the practical feamen to continue the diftance between their knots fhorter than they are dire died by the theory. Afterwards, in the fame fumrner, I made fuch another expedition, in a failing veffel, along with cap- tain Campbell of the Mary yacht, and Dr. Knight. Having prepared two of thefe machines as near alike as poffible, I determined to try, how far they were ca- pable of agreement, when expofed to the fame incon- veniencies, and ufed together. During the trial of thefe machines, one made 86,716 revolutions, and the other made 88,184. During this fpace, they were compared at ten feveral intervals. The revolu- tions between each interval differed from the propor- tion of thefe numbers, in the firft comparifon, one- nineteenth of the whole interval. The errors of each interval, in the other comparifons, were, in order, two-feventeenths, one-nineteenth, one-twentieth, one-y Y y y 2 fifty* [ 5+° 1 fifty-fourth, one- fourteenth, one-eightieth, one-fixty-' feventh, one -fourteenth, one-lixteenth ; the greateft errors being where the lpaces were the Ihorteft. In other refpedts, the plates feemed to perform their duty, in the water, well enough, tho’ the lea was as rough, in this voyage, as our fmall vefiel would well bear. Lafily, Being, for fome time, on board the Fortune Hoop of war, commanded by Alexander Campbell, Kfq; in company with Dr. Knight, for the pur- pofe of making trial of his new- invented fea-com- palfes, I had frequent opportunities of making ufe of thefe machines, by comparing them with one an- other, with the log, and with real difiances ; and having, by repeated trials, pretty well afcertained the number of turns of the plate, that was equal to a given lpace, by the help of the log, in the manner before defcribed, when the fhip was upon a middle velocity ; 1 found the lpaces, l'o meafured, nearly con- fiftent with themfelves, and with the truth : But all this while the wdnds and weather were very mo- derate. It afterwards happened, that we run 1 8 leagues in a brilk gale of wind, w’hich, tho’ not fair for us (being before the beam), yet drove us fome- times at the rate of 8 knots an hour, as appeared by heaving the log. During thus run I obferved, that the refiftance of the water, to the line and plate, was very confiderable, and increafed the friction of the fpindle l'o much, as to prevent it from beginning to turn, till the plate had twilled the line to i'uch a degree, that when it did fet a going, it would frequently run i yo or 200 turns at once. I alfo obferved, that the wind coming acrofs the courfe of the fiiip, blew the cord a good deal out of the direction of the fpindle, and caufed [ 54i ] caufed the line to rub againft the Safeguard hole, for the button to flop againft, as above defcribed ; which undoubtedly occalioned confiderable fridfion in that place. But the moft untoward circumftance, that I obferved, was, that being in a rough, but Ihort chop- ing fea, and failing obliquely acrofs the waves, the plate would frequently be drawn from one wave to another through the air, without touching the water ; and, as it appeared, would jump from one wave to another, the unevennefs of the furface, joined to the quicknefs of the motion, not permitting the plate to follow the depteffion of the water. This evil I en- deavoured to remedy, by placing upon the line, at a fmall diltance before the plate, fome hollow bullets, fuch as are made for nets, in order to keep the plate fo low down in the water, as to be below the bottom of the waves. This, in part, 1 found they did ; but they, at the fame time, added fo much refinance, in their palling through the water, that the inconvenience was as great one way, as the other. Upon making up the account of this run, I found the number of rotations were lefs, by one full third, than they ought to have been, compared with former obfervations ; which afforded me a convincing proof, that this inftrument was conliderably retarded in quick motions The length of the line made ufe of was about 10 fathoms, which I found necefftry, that the water, difturbed by the body of the fhip, might be tolerably fettled before the plate was drawn through it ; but this length of line was alfo an inconvenience,, as it met with greater refiftance in the water. [ 542 ] “Upon the whole, it Teems to me, that an inftrument, made as above dcTcribed, is capable of meaTuring the way of a fhip at Tea, when its velocity does not ex- ceed f lea miles an hour, to a degree of exadtnefs ex- ceeding the log. It therefore may be ufeful in the menfuration of the velocities of tides, currents, &c. and alfo in meafuring diftances at Tea in taking fur- veys of coafts, harbours, c '3c. Thus far it Teems capable of performing, upon the fuppofition, that it cannot be brought to a greater degree of perfection. But this 1 am very far from fuppohng : On the con- trary, I do not defpair, that it may be brought to an- fwer the end of meafuring the way of a ihip at fea univerfally ; and, for that reafon, it may not be amils to put down a few hints, concerning the caufe and cure of the error* above-mentioned, for the fake of thofe, who may hereafter be inclined to profecute thefe en- quiries*. It appears then from the preceding obferva' ions, that the rotation of the plate is coididerably retarded in the quickeft motions of the fhip ; and Teniibly fo, in all velocities exceeding y miles an hour. 1 his may proceed, firft, from the friction of the machine increaiing in a greater proportion than the power to turn it round. Secondly, From the water's being \ ut in motion by the fhip, To as to follow it in the Tame * Upon communicating thefe experiments and obfervations to my ingenious friend Mr. William Rufi'el, he gave me an account of a machine, that he had made trial of in a voyage, fome years fince, from the Levant, fo nearly agreeing with the above-deferibed, that one would have imagined we had been of each other’s council in ddigning them. di- [ 543 ] direction, and that to a confiderable diftance aftern. And, Thirdly, from the plate’s jumping from wave to wave, when their concavity is great, and diftance little. The firft may, in fome meafure, be helped, by ap- plying a loaded fly, of a proper fize, to the fpindle of the machine, which will prevent its flicking faft for a time, and then whirling round with great rapidity, as it is apt to do when the refiftance is great ; bv which means, the motion will be rendered more equal and uniform, as was juftly obferved to me by my friend Mr. Ellicott of this Society. Alfo, if the body of the machine were hung, equally poized, upon crofs-centres, like thofe ufed for fea- compafles, or in the manner of a fwivel-gun, as cap- tain Alexander Campbell well propofed ; the fpindle of the machine would readily place itfelf in the fame direction with the line that draws it, and thereby avoid, unneceflary fridtions from the oblique direction of the cord. The fecond may be heiped by placing the machine upon the end of a pole, faftened near the forecaftle, ever the fide of the fhip. By this means, a fhorter line will be neceflary, and the plate prevented from working in the more difturbed water at the ftern. Laftly, Its quitting the water, perhaps, might be helped by joining a ftiank of brafs, of fix inches long, and three-quarters of an inch diameter, to the fore- part of the plate, to which the cord muft be faftened, the ends of the ftiank being formed into a figure moft convenient for pafling thro the water with eafe. The weight of this will eaufe the fore-part of the plate to [ 5+4 ] fink fatter than the' other, and endeavour to give it a direction down into the water *. I had intended ‘to have made trial of the effed of thefe alterations, but have been prevented, partly by want of opportunity, and partly from the indif- ference, with which I found fuch a contrivance as this, even if brought to perfection, was likely to be re- ceived by feamen ; who, in general, do not feein to be over- fond of making trial of new inftruments, efpe- cially if propofed by landmen, as, in deritton, they are pleated to call us. Indeed it may be objected, that, could we meafure the way of a fliip thro’ the water ever fo exaCtly, unlefs fome method were found out, of afcertaining the currents, c 5k.; a fhip’s courfe, with refp^Ct to the globe, could not hereby be determined. But then it may be replied, with equal juftice, that it is for want of a means of meafuring the way of a fliip thro' the water (and this compared with other check obferva- tions), that the drift and velocities of the principal currents have not already been determined. Mr. de Saumarez, in his fecond paper, of March 1729. makes mention of another machine for this purpofe, which he himfelf acknowleges to be inferior to his former, efpecially in rough weather at fea. But as fcveral others have fallen upon, and propofed, a ma- chine fimilar to this ; it may not be amifs to add the following remarks upon it. The firtt mover, in this, is compofed of four arms, fixed to the bottom of a pcrpen- * Mr.. RufTel’s plate was joined to a thank, who never found it to jump out of the water, at any time, when he made ufe of it. C 54-5 ] perpendicular fpindle ; each arm is furnifhed with a vane, which opens one way, and {huts the other, as fome have attempted the making of horizontal wind- mills. This, by being carried thro’ the water progref- fively, will turn round, and the fafter, as the fhip moves fafter: But to judge, whether it will doitpro- portionabiy in all velocities of the {hip, let us con- sider, 1. That a good failing {hip will frequently fail at the rate of io fea miles (60 to a degree) an hour, which is at the rate of 17 feet per fecond. 2. Suppoftng the fide of the fly, where the vanes * are clofed, to be retained by the water at reft ; the oppoflte fide of the fly, where the vane is open, muft meet the water with a velocity double to that of the {hip, or at the rate of 34 feet in a fecond 5 as would be the cafe with the upper part of a coach-wheel, whofe velocity thro’ the air is double to that, where- with the coach moves forward. 3. That a plane furface of 3 inches fquare, moving thro’ the water with a velocity of 34 feet per fecond, will meet with areftftance, atleaft, equal to 70 pounds avoirdupoize. 4. That the reflftance, which the open vanes will meet with in the water, will, in fwift motions, be very conftderable, and, of confequence, the fly will move much flower than it ought to do, if thefe refiftances were lefs. 5. That from hence there is much reafon to doubt, whether the reflftance of the medium, and fridiion of the machine, taken together, will always produce fuch diminution, in the number of turns, as that the num- ber of revolutions, adlually fhewn by the indexes, Z z z may [ 54-6 ] may be the fame, when the fame fpace is gone over with a great velocity, as with a fmall one. LXXI. Obfervationes Eclipfium Satellitum yovis habit & Ulijjipone in Regali Collegio BeatiJJimce Virginis a necejfitatibus , diElce d "Joanne Chevalier, Brcejbytero Seculari Con - gregationis Oratorii , Anno 1753. Read Feb. 14. T"XlE 30 Aprilis, coelo clariflimo, ob- ,/5+’ I 3 fervavi, telefcopio Gregoriano 6 pe- dum longitudinis, emerlionem primi fatellitis e umbra Jovis, hora poflmeridiana temporis veri 9h 57' 48 Die 24, Maii, iterum coelo puriffimo, obfervavi, eodem telefcopio Gregoriano, emerfionem tertii fa- tellitis ab umbra Jovis, hora poflmeridiana temporis veri 8h 19' 6". LXXII. Obfervatio Solis defe&us Uliffipone ha - bit a , in ALde BeatiJJimce V irginis a necejji - tatibus , nuncupate a Joanne Chevalier , Prcejhytero Congregation is Oratorii , d/e 26 a O&obris 1753. Read Feb. 1 754- 14>T~ T U N C folis defedum commode, ac X. X exade obfervare potui, coelo cla- riffimo ac purilhmo. Initium ac finem eclipiis te- lefcopio 1 y palmorum examinavi, digitos vero obfeu- rationis [ 547 ] rationis micrometro menfus fum. Eodem tempore jfodalis meus phyficas profeflor, eafdem eclipfis phafes obfervabat in fpecie folis, in charta alba depidta, per alium tubum duabus lentibus inftrudtum. Temp. ver. ► i > r ; ant merid. h / // Initium eclipfis 7 31 4 2 digiti obfcurationis . . , 7 43 f4 4 digiti . ... 7 56 40 6 digiti . ... 8 9 3° 8 digiti . . 8 22 10 io digiti .... 8 34- 40 Major obfcuratio undecim digitorum h / i/ ac 5 min. . ... 8 41 +6 8 digiti ..... 9 2 O 2 digiti ..... 9 44 20 Finis ... . 9 58 18 Prope tempus maxima obfcurationis, luce folis notabiliter imminuta, Jovem, Venerem, aliquafquc ftellas, prims ac fecundae magnitudinis, videre licuit. Mercurium tamen, propter ejus ad folem appropin- quationem, afpicere non potui. Speculum catoptricum diametri trium palmorum, in cujus foco plumbum liquefcit, & ex ligno fkmma ftatim excitatur, eadem phenomena efficiebat, cum folis digiti feptem jam obfcurati eflent : pod; tempus tamen majoris phalis, lignum in foco fufpenfum per aliquod temporis intervallum minime combuffit. Tempore majoris obfcurationis aer frigefcere cspit, Z z z 2 valido r 54-8 3 valido flante vento a fetemptrione ; craffique vapores afcendere vifi funt e fluvio portuque vicino. In thermometro domini de Reaumur, fequentes mutationes obfervatas fuere. 7h 20 Spiritus vini 12° & dimidium altitudinis fupra terminum congelationis aquas obtinebat. ft 8 12 • • * - 0 13 8 3° • •• 9 I2f 8 43 » • • 12% 8 ft • 9 • I I# 9 3° • 9 • •• 12 10 0 • • 9 • * I 2f 10 40 • • • • i3i LXXIII. An Account of fome ajlro7io?nical Obfervatio?7s taken at Lifbon by M. John Chevalier in the Yeariys^, By James Short, M A. and F. R. S. Read March 14/ | ^HIS gentleman mentions two cmer- *754' fions of the fatellites of Jupiter, *uiz. one of the firft, and another of the third, both obferved, in a very clear air, with a Gregorian te- lefcope fix feet long. Dr. Bevis, from a great num- ber of obfervations, has computed formula of tables for the times of the immerfions and emerfions of the firft fatellite of Jupiter, and which times we have feldom found to differ from the obfervations above 10": By com- [ 549 ] comparing, therefore, the time of the emerfion of the firft fatellite obferved by this gentleman, with the time computed from thefe formula , the difference of lon- gitude between London, at St. Paul’s, and the place of obfervation at Lifbon, comes out to be 36' 6" ; and by feveral former correfponding obfervations the dif- ference had been found to be 3 6 10". By fome ob- fervations of the fame fatellite, fent me lately by the reverend P. Pezenas at Marfeilles, and which he had received from fome aftronomers at Lifbon, the dif- ference of longitude between London and Lifbon is fometimes 34/, and fometimes 35-': But it is to be re- marked of thefe gentlemen, that tho’ they both ob- ferved at the fame place, and thro’ refradting tele- fcopes of the fame length ; yet they fometimes differ from one another a whole minute, in the time of emerfion. M. Chevalier further mentions the obfervation of the eclipfe of the fun laft October, thro’ a telefcope of 1 5 palms. He faw both the beginning and end, in a very clear air ; and fays, that the greateft quantity of the eclipfe was 1 1 digits and 5 minutes, which he meafured with a micrometer j but, unluckily, has not given us either the diameter of the fun, or that of the moon, which he might have meafured (for the eclipfe was annular), tho’ he was at the pains of meafuring all the digits, both in the increafe and decreafe of the eclipfe. He farther takes notice, that, at the time of the greateft obfcuration, the light of the fun was re- markably diminifhed ; and that they were able to fee Jupiter, Venus, and fome ftars of the firft and fecond magnitude 3 but he could not fee Mercury, on account 4 f 55° 3 of his proximity to the fun : And that a refledling fpeculum, of three palms in diameter, which could melt lead, when placed in its focus, and inflantly fet wood in a flame; did produce the fame effedts, even when the fun was feven digits eclipfed ; but that, about the time of the greatefl obfcuration, it was not able to burn wood, tho’ held in its focus for fome time : And that, at the fame time, the air became very cold, the wind blowing hard from the north ; and that fome vapours, or fog, were feen to rife out of the river and adjacent harbour. lie likewife mentions fome alterations in the fpirit of wine thermometer of M. de Reaumur, during the eclipfe. 1 « The fame eclipfe of the fun was obferved alfo at Lifbon by A. P. Eufebius da Veiga, profeflor of ma- thematics. His times of the beginning and end are fomewhat earlier than thofe of M. Chevalier ; and he alfo makes the greatefl obfcuration larger, by 3 mi- nutes of a digit. To his account of this eclipfe he fubjoins fome oc- cupations of flars by the moon, obferved by him at Lifbon lafl year; viz. of Venus, on the 27th of July; of a Libra, on the yth of Augufl ; and of (6 Capri - corni , on the yth of Odtober. LXXIV. An C 551 ] LXXIV. An Explanation of an Inflrument for meafuring fmall Angles , the firfl Ac- count of which was read before the Royal Society May io, S753. By Mr . John Dollond. In a Letter to James Short, M. A . and F. R. S, Read Apr. 25, ,7S4- T S I R, H E account which I gave you, fomc time ago, of a new micrometer, was contained in as few words as poffible ; being ra- ther defirous, that experiments might be made, before I faid much concerning it : But fince your many repeated experiments have confirmed what was ex- pected from it, I have endeavoured to draw up a more full account of this inflrument, with demon- ftrations of the principles which it is founded upon, which I here fend you inclos’d, and which you may lay before the Royal Society, if you think proper. I am, Sir, Your moft obedient humble fervant, Denmark-Court, T 1 11 j April 4. 17 54. J°iln Doliond. BEfore I enter upon particulars relating to this mi- crometer, it will be proper to make a few pre- paratory obfervations on the nature of fpherical glaffes, fo far as may be neceffary to render the following ex- planation more eafily underflood, Obfervation 1. It is a property of all convex fphe- rical glaffes to refraCt the rays of light, which are tranfmitted through them, in fuch a manner, as to colled all thofe that proceed diverging from any one point r 552 ] point of a luminous objedt, to fome other point; whofc diftance from the glafs depends chiefly on its convexity, and the diftance of the objedt from it. Obf 2. The point, where the rays are thus col- ledted, may be confldered as the image of that point, from which they diverge. For if we conceive feveral radiant points thus emitting rays, which, by the re- fradtive quality of the glafs, are made to converge to as many other points ; it will be an eafy matter to underftand, how every part of the objedt will be truly reprefented. As this property of fpherical glaffes is explained and demonftrated by all the writers on op- tics ; it being the very foundation of the fcience, the bare mention of it is fufticient for the prefent purpofe. Obf. 3. It will be neceffary, however, to obferve farther, that the lines connedting every point in the objedt with its correfponding ones in the image, do all interfedt in a certain point of the axis or line pair- ing thro’ the poles of the glafs, where its two furfaces are parallel, and may be properly called its centre : Whence it appears, that the angles fubtended by the objedt and its image from that point, muft be equal : And therefore their diameters will be in the fame ratio, as their diftances from that point. Obf. 4. As the formation of the image by the glafs depends entirely on the property above-mentioned, that is to fay, its colledting all the light, that is in- cident on it, from the feveral points of the objedt into as many other points at its focus ; it follows, that any fegmcntof fuch a glafs will alfo form an image equal, and every way fimilar, to that exhibited by the whole glafs ; with this difference only, that it will be fo much darker, as the area of the fegment is lefs than that of the whole slafs. Obf [ 553 ] Obf. y. The axis of a fpherical glafs is a line con- iiefting the centres of the fpheres, to which the two furfaces are ground ; and where-ever this line palfes thro’ the glafs, there the furfaces are parallel. But if it happens, that this line does not go thro’ the fub- ftance of the glafs, fuch a glafs is faid to have no in- ternal centre; but it is conceived to be in its plane produced, till it meets the axis : And this imaginary point, tho’ external to the glafs, is as truly its centre, and is as fixed in its pofition to it, as if it were actually within its fubftance. ObJ\ 6. If a lpherical glafs, having its center or pole near its middle or centre of its circumference, fliould be divided by a ftrait line through the middle; the centre will be in one of the fegments only. For how exadt foever a perfon may be fuppofed to be in cutting it thro’ the centre ; yet tis hard to conceive, how a mathematical point fliould be divided in two : Therefore the centre will be internal to one of the feg- ments, and external to the other. But if a fmall mat- ter be ground away from the ftrait edge of each feg- ment, both their centres will become external ; and lo they will more eafily be brought to a coincidence. Ob/. 7. If thefe two fegments fliould be held to- gether, fo as to make their centres coincide ; the images, which they give of any objedt, will likewife coincide, and become a Angle one. This will be the cafe, when their ftrait edges are joined to make the glafs, as it were, whole again : But let the centres be any- how feparated, their images will aifo feparate, and each fegment give a feparate and diftindt image of any object, to which they may be expos’d. Obf. 8. Tho’ the centres of the fegments may be drawn from their coincidence, by removing the ieg- 4. A ments [ 55+ ] ments in any direction whatever; yet the mod conve- nient way for this purpofe is, to Aide their drait edges one along the other, till they are re- mov’d, as the figure in the margin re- prefents them : For thus they may be moved without differing any falfe light to come in between them. And by this way of removing them, the didance be- tween their centres may be very conve- niently meafured ; viz. by having a Vernier’s divi- fion, commonly, tho’ falfely, call’d a Nonnius’s, fixed to the brafs-work, that holds one fegment, fo as to Hide along a fcale on the plate, to which the other part of the glafs is fitted. Obf. 9. As the images of the fame objedt are fe- parated, by the motion of the fegments ; fo thofe of different objedts, or different parts of the fame objedt, may be made to coincide, Suppofe the fun, moon, or any planet, to be the objedt; the two images thereof may, by this contrivance, be removed, till their oppofite edges are in contadf : In which cafe, the didance between the centres of the two images will be equal to the diameter of either ; and fo of any other object whatever. Obf. 10. This divided glafs may be ufed, as a mi- crometer, three different ways. In the fird place, it may be fixed at the end of a tube, of a fuitable length to its focal didance, as an objedt-glafs ; the other end of the tube having an eye-glafs fitted as ufual in adro- nomical telefcopes. Secondly, It may be applied to the end of a tube mucli fhorter than its focal didance, by having another convex glafs within the tube, to fhorten the focal didance of that, which is cut in two. Ladiy, It may be applied to the open end of a re- fledting [ 555 ] fleeting telefcope ; either of the Newtonian, Grego- rian, or Caflegrain condrudtion. And tho’ this laffc method is much the bed, and mod; convenient, of the three ; yet, as the fird is the mod: natural, as well as the ealieft to be underdood '• it will be proper to explain it fully, and to demondrate the principles, on which this micrometer is condrudted, by fuppofing it made ufe of in the fird way: Which being done, the application of it to other methods will be readily underdood. Having thus, by the foregoing obfervations, given a general idea of the nature and effedts of this di- vided objedt glafs, I fhall proceed to demondrate the principles, from whence the meafures of the angles are to be obtained by this indrument ; which will be done by the following proportions. Proposition T. Suppofe a divided, objecl-gla.fi fixed at the e?id of a tube , according to the firfi method , and the tube di- rected to the objeCt intended to be me a fur ed ; and f'nppofe , likewife , the figments removed from their original pofition , in the manner directed under Obf. 8. till the oppofite edges of the two images are fieen in contaCi at the focus of the eye-gla/s : Tfhen, I J'ay\ the angle J\ ubtended , by the difiance between the cen- tres of the figments, from the focus of the eye-gla/s, where the edges are f 'een in contaCt , is equal to the angle fubtended by the diameter of the objeCi from that fame point. Demonflration. Let the line A B (fee the next page) reprefent the diameter of the objedt to be meafured ; and the 4 A 2 points [ 556 1 points C D the centres of the two glafs fegments : Alio G the focus where the images of the extremities of the object are coincident. It is evident, from Obf. that AG and BG are ftrait lines, that pafs thro’ the centres of the fegments, and conned: the extreme points of the objed with their cor- refponding points in the images ; and therefore, as the diameter of the objed and the diftance between the centres of the fegments are both infcribed be- tween thefe two lines, they mud: needs fubtend the fame angle from the point where thofe lines meet ; which is at G. ^ E. D. The focal didance C G, or D G, is variable, according to the diftance of the objed from the glafs : So that it decreases as the diftance of the objed from the glafs increnfes ; and when the objed is fo far off, that the focal length of the glafs bears no proportion to its diftance; then will it be leaft of all, as C F or D F -, and the point F is call’d the focus of parallel rays. Any other focus, as G, being the focus of a near objed, is call’d a refpedive focus ; as it refpeds a particular di- ftance : But the focus of parallel rays refpeds all objeds that are at a very great diftance; fuch as is that of all the heavenly bodies. P a o- C 557 ] Proposition II. The di fiance H E of the objeti from the glafs, is to E F, the focal di fiance of parallel rays , as the di/lance H G of the objehifrom its image is to E G, the diflance oj the image from the glafs : That is, HE : EF : : HG : EG. The demonftration of this proportion may be ga- thered from any treatife of dioptrics ; it being a ge- neral rule for finding the respective focus to any given diftance, when the focus of parallel rays is known. Proposition III. The angle fubt ended by the diameter of the object , from the glafs , is equal to that fubt ended , by the opening of the centres of the fegments , from the focus of parallel rays. That is , the angle AEB equal to the angle C F D. \ Demonftration. It appears, by infpedtion of the figure, that AB : CD:: HG: EG. And by the laft proportion H E : E F : : H G : EG. Then, as the two laft terms of thefe two analogies are alike • the two f rft terms of one will be in the fame proportion as the two f rft terms of the other • which gives the following proportion : A B:C D : : HE : EF. Whence the truth of the proportion is evident. From r 558 ] From this proportion it appears, that the angle Subtended by the diameter of the object from the glafs, is found without any regard to the diftance of the object, or to the diftance of the refpedtive focus, where the image is feen ; as the meafure depends en- tirely upon the focus of parallel rays and the opening of the fegments. We may likewife, from hence, de- rive a rule for the quantity of the angle, without con- fidering the length of the glafs. Let an objedt, whofe diameter is known, be fet up at fome known diftance; the angle it will fubtend from the glafs may then be found by trigonometry : Then let it be meafured by this micrometer, and the diftance, between the cen- tres of the fegments, found on the fcale already men- tioned, will be the conftant meafure of the fame angle, in all other cafes : Becaufe the diftance of the objedt makes no alteration in the meafure of the angle, as has been demonftrated : And thus having obtain’d the diftance between the centres of the feg- ments, which anfwers to any one angle, all other di- stances may be computed by the rule of three. All that has been hitherto laid relates to the firft method of ufing this micrometer; that is, by fitting it to the end of a tube fuited to its focal length, and by viewing the images with a proper eye- glafs, in the manner of an aftronomical telefcope. But the length of the tube, in this way, would be very troublefome ; and therefore it will be proper to conlider other me- thods, for an eafier management. I Shall, therefore, proceed to the Second method, mention’d in Obf 10. which is, by ufing another objedt- glafs to Shorten the focus of that which Serves for the micrometer. To faci- [ 559 ] facilitate the underftanding of this method, it will be neceffary to premife the following obfervation. Obf. ii. Rays of light, which are brought to fuch convergency as to form the image of an objedt, proceed, after that, diverging, in the manner they did when they iftiied from the objedt before they were tranfmitted thro’ the glafs ; and therefore they may be again colledted by another fpherical glafs, fo as to form a fecond reprefentation of the fame objedt; which may again be repeated by a third glafs, &c. So that the firft image may be conf der’d as an objedt to the fecond glafs, and the fecond image will be an objedt to the third, and fo on. Tho’ thefe images may be very different, in refpedt to their magnitudes, yet they will be all fi milar ; being true reprefenta- tions of the fame objedt : This will hold good, tho’ the fecond glafs fhould be put fo near the firft as to receive the rays before the image is form’d: For as the rays are tending to meet at a certain didance, the fecond will receive them in that decree of conver- O gency, and, by an additional refradtion, bring them to a nearer focus ; but the image will dill be fimilar to that which would have been made by the firft glafs, if the fecond had not been there. Upon this principle all refradting telefcopes are made ; fome of which are a combination of four, five, or fix, glades. The firft glafs forms an image of the objedt ; the fecond repeats the image, which it receives from the firft ; and fo on, till the laft glafs brings a true reprefentation of the objedt to the eye. The fame may be faid of refledting telefcopes : For a. fpherical mirror adts in the fame manner, in that refpedt, as a fpherical glafs. Now C 56° ] Now let this be applied to the fubjed in hand. Suppofe the focal diftance of the divided objed-glafs to be about forty feet ; and fuppofe the fegments to be open’d wide enough to bring the oppofite edges of an objed in contad : Then let another objed-glafs, uncut, be fix’d within the tube, of a proper degree of convexity, to fhcrten the focus of the other as much as may be requir’d ; fuppofe to twelve feet : By what has been juft now obferv’d, this glafs will rcprefent the two images in the fame form which would have been exhibited by the divided glafs, if this other glafs had not been there. For tho’ the images are not yet form’d, when the fecond glafs receives the rays ; yet, as thofe rays are converging towards it, the fecond glafs muft reprefent thofe images in the fame pofition, and form, as the tendency of the rays requires. For while the fegments are fix’d in their pofition to each other, their images will alfo be fix’d in their pofition; and let them be repeated ever fo many times, by re- fraction thro’ fpherical glades, or by reflexion from fpherical mirrors, they can differ no alteration in their pofition to one another. By this means, the telefcope may be jfhorten’d, at plealuie, tho’ the fcale for the meafure of the angles will remain the fame. The only inconvenience, which the fhortnefs of the tele- fcope introduces, is a want of fufEcient diftindnefs ; which will fo far hinder the exadnefs of the obser- vation, as the contad of the edges cannot be fo accu- rately detei min'd, as they might be with longer tele- lcopes. This difficulty is intirely remov’d by fixing the di- vided glafs at the end of a refleding telefcope : For the reflexions and refradions, which the rays mud undergo [ 561 ] undergo in pafling thro’ the telefcope, will no way alter the pofition of the images which the rays, that have palled thro’ the fegments, are tending to : For, as has been already obferv’d, a number of reflexions and refractions may repeat the images, and alter their magnitudes ; but can make no alteration in their pro- portions. Therefore this way of fixing the divided glafs to a reflecting telefcope, which was the third method pro- pos'd, is, by far, the belt ; as luch telefcopes of mo- derate and manageable lengths, when well made, are capable of magnifying confiderably, and Ihewing ob- jects to great advantage. This micrometer’s being applicable to the reflecting telefcope, with fo much certainty, is no inconfiderable advantage : For any one will eafily underltand, that, to mealure the dia- meter of a planet exaCtly, it is neceflary, that the pla- net be magnify’d, and Ihew’d diftinCtly, which could not be obtain’d, in the common way, without very great lengths ; fuch as render’d it very difficult, not to fay impracticable, to take exaCt meafures. Belides, the common micrometer is limited, in this refpeCt, upon another account ; viz. becaufe the diameter of the planet cannot be meafur’d, without having the whole planet within the field of the telefcope which confines the magnifying power within very narrow bounds ; whereas, by this method, nothing more is requir’d, than to fee the contaft of the edges, which allows the magnifying power to be increas’d at plea- fure. In the common micrometer, the objeCt is to be taken between two wires, fo that the contad of its edges with thofe wires cannot be obferv’d at one view ; 4 B and [ 562 ] and the leaft motion of the telefcope, whilft the ob- ferver is turning his eye from one wire to the other, muft oblige him to repeat the obfervation; whereas, by this method, the contadt of the edges of the images is not at all affedted by the motion of the telefcope. Whence the comparifon of this micrometer, with the common fort, in this refpedt, Hands thus : The one requires great fieadinefs in the telefcope, but yet it is applicable to none, but fuch as are very difficult to keep Heady ; the other does not require fuch fteadi- nefs, tho’ it is applicable to fhort telefcopes,; which are eafily managed. Thefe advantages not only add to the certainty of the obfervation, but adifi vaHly in the expedition ; for an obferver may make twenty obfervations, in this way, where he could fcarce, with much fatigue, be fure of one with the common micrometer. Ex- pedition in making obfervations, muH be allowed a very great advantage, in this climate, where the un- certainty of the weather renders afironomical obfer- vations fo precarious, that no opportunities, even the mofi tranfient, fhould be let Hip. An infiance of this was given in to the Roval Society, in an account of the eclipfe of the fun lafi Odtober. As the motion of the telefcope gives the obferver no great inconvenience, in this method > neither does the motion of the objedt at all difiurb his obfervation (I mean fuch a motion, as that of the heavens is,). This gives him leave to take the diameter of a planet, in any diredtion ; or the difiance between two fiars or planets, let their fituation be how it will ; in which refpedt the common micrometer is abfolutely de- fedtive ; as it can give no angles, but fuch as are per- pendicular 2 t 563 ] pendicular to the line of their motion ; tho’ die dia- meters of the planets, in other directions, is very much wanted j it being highly probable, from the laws of motion, and what we fee in Jupiter, that fuch planets, as revolve round their axes, have their polar diameters fhorter than their equatorial ones. The diftances of Jupiter’s fatellites from one an- other, or from Jupiter’s body, cannot be meafured, with any certainty, in the common way, as their po- rtion is always very far from being at right angles with the line of their motion : Neither can the moon’s diameter, which muft be taken from horn to horn, fcarce ever be obtained that way, becaufe it very rarely happens, that the diameter, to be meafured, lies at right angles to the line of her motion. The fame may be faid of the diftance between two ftars. But this micrometer gives angles, in every direction, with equal eafe and certainty ; the obfervation being alfo finifhed in an inftant, without any trouble or fatigue to the obferver. For as there are no wires made ufc of, this way, in the held of the telefcope ; fo the ob- ferver has no concern about any illumination. The largenefs of the fcale deferves alfo to be taken notice of, as it may, in this micrometer, be increas’d almoft at pleafure, according as the fmalnefs of the objeCt requires. Another inconvenience attending the com- mon micrometer is, the variation of the fcale, ac- cording to the diftance of the objeCt. As the telefcope muft be lengthen’d, or drawn out farther, for fhort diftances ; the fcale, which depends upon that length, is thereby increas’d ; which renders the meafure of the angle very uncertain: Whereas, in this micro- meter, the fcale is the fame at all diftances ; fo that the angle may be meafured with the utmoft cer- 4 B 2 tainty, [ 564 ] tainty, without any regard to the diftance of the object. Upon the whole, it may be concluded, that this micrometer is a complete inflrument in its kind ; having many advantages above the common fort, without any of their diladvantages : And there is no doubt, but, when brought into practice, it will tend much to the advancement of aftronomy. LXX V. An Account of an Earthquake felt at York on the 19 th of April 1754. In a Letter from Mr. David Erfkine Baker to Tho. Birch, D. D. Secret. R . S. Read Apr. 25 *754- O Dear Sir , N Friday night laft, the 19th in* ftant, at about eleven o’clock, we were alarm’d, in this city, with the fhockof an earth- quake. As I was myfelf in London, and felt both the lliocks, which happen’d there in the year 1770, I became immediately lenfible of what it was. In the room, in which I was fitting, which was on a firft floor, the tremulous, or rather undulating, motion of the floor was very plain ; and the windows rattled, as if they had been fhaken by a fudden fquall of wind. The fhock lafted for about three feconds, and was at- tended, or rather preceded, by a rumbling noife, not much unlike that made by an empty hearfe driven over a hone pavement, and, indeed, exactly the fame with that, which I remember to have heard, with both the (hocks, in London, in 1750. The violence of the (hock I [ 565 3 fhock feem’d to me to be nearly the fame with that of the 8th of February, but not fo great as that of the 8th of March, in that year 5 and the courfe of it, as far as I have been enabled to judge, not only from my own obfervation at the time, but from the ac- counts of others, feem’d to be nearly from fauth-weft to north-eaft, it being felt the ftrongeft in the flreets which run in that direction ; particularly in Stone- gate, where I lodge ; in Mary-gate, and Lopp-1 ane 5 in the latter of which, I was told, that a chamber- bell, in a gentleman’s houfe, was heard to ring very diftin&ly ; and a gentlewoman of my acquaintance, in a flreet, which runs parallel to thefe, who was very weakly, and was fitting up after a lying-in, was al- moft thrown forwards out of her chair by the fhock. As I have no great correfpondence in this county, and am, moreover, going to leave it in about a fortnight’s time, I fear I fhall not be enabled to trace out the ex- tent of this fhock ; tho’ I am inform’d, it was felt very fenfibly at Foforth, Bifhopthorpe, Huntington, and Hefslington, fmail towns at two or three miles difiance from this city j and alfo at Selby, about ten miles to the fouthward of York. If you fhould think this account worth communicating to your illuflrious Society, you are entirely at liberty fo to do ; and I beg you would believe, that I am, with the utmofi fin- cerity and refpeft, Sir, Your and their moft obedient humble fervant, York, April 21, J754' David Erfkine Baker, P.S, [ 5^6 ] P. S. Since the writing of the above, I have been inform’d, that, in two or three houfes, finging birds, which were at the time roofting in their cages, were thrown off their perches by the fud- dennefs of the {hock. LXXVI. A?i Invefligation of fo?ne Theorems which fuggefl Jome remarkable ‘Properties of the Circle , and are of Ufe in rejohing FraSlions , whoje Denominators are certain Multinomials , into more fimple QJies. By Mr. John Landen. Read May 2, HAT the principal theorems, bc- I754- low inveftigated, will be of con- fiderable ufe in the dodtrine of fluxions, by render- ing, in many cafes, the bufinefs of computing fluents more eafy, will, on perufal, be obvious to every one acquainted wi$h that branch of fcience. Therefore, as the facilitating computations in that dodtrine (which affords us wonderful affiflance in many phyfical en- quiries) may be a means of extending our knowlege in philofophy ; it is prefum’d, that this paper will not be thought unworthy the notice of the Royal Society. I. Suppofing — —=.= — ===, where x and dc- n " Vx1— 1 Vy*—i note the fluxions of the variable quantities x and y re- [ S67 ] refpedtively, and n an invariable quantity ; it is pro- pos’d to find, in terms of y and z, the equation of which z is a root, and z 2 — 2 x z + 1 = o, a di- vifor. Taking the fluents of the given fluxionary equa- tion, we have, fuppofing x = 1 wheny is = 1, hyp. n log. of x + V x 2 — i = hyp. log. of y 4* V yz- — 1, or x-\- V x 2 — 1 — y + V yz — 1 : Whence, by fubfti tuting for x its value ^ l-i •iz (found by the equation z% — 2 x z + 1 = o), we have zn = y + Vya — 1 • Therefore zn — y is = V yz — 1 ; and, fquaring both fides, zzn — 2 y zn -j- yz = yz — 1 . Confequently zrn — 2 y zn 1 is = o ; which, fuppofing n a po- fitive integer, is the equation fought. Now it is obvious, n being fuch an integer, that this equation will have as many trinomial divifors, of the form z2 — 2 * s + 1 , as there are values of x cor- refponding to a given value of y : Which values of x , whenjy is not greater than 1, nor lefs than — 1 (the only cafe I purpofe to confider), will not be readily n obtain’d from the equation x-\-V xz — 1 =y + V >,a — 1 found above : But, if we multiply the given fluxion- ary equation by we get — V — I VI — x31 Vi — -y* of which the equation of the fluents is n x circ. arc rad. 1. coflne x = circ. arc rad. 1. coline y j where x is = 1 when y is = j, agreeable to the fuppofition we made [ 568 ] made above when we took the fluents of the given fluxionary equation by logarithms. Therefore if A be put for the leaft arc whofe cofine is y, and C for the whole circumference,, radius being i ; y being the co- line of A, A -f- C, A + 2 C, A + 3 C, &c. x will be the cofine of — , Sec. . n n n A 4- »• — i * C to ! . n l Confequently, exprefling the lafl-mention'd co- fines, or the feverai values of a*, by p , y, r, s, &c. zzn — 2 y zn + i will be =.3* — 2 /> 3 + 1 x A — 2 y 3 + 1 x 3* — 2 r 3 + ij &c. (»), when ?i is a pofitive integer (as we fliall always iuppofe it to be), let 3 be what it will. Hence may be ealily deduc’d a demonftration of that remarkable property of the circle flffl: difeover’d by Mr. Cotes : But as that property has already been demonftrated by feverai mathematicians, I fliall omit taking any farther notice of it, and proceed in the in- veftigation of fome other ufeful theorems which I do not find have ever yet been publilh’d. II. If y be = 1 ; then, A being = o ; />, y, r, &c. will be the cofines of , &c. ( n ) refpedl- n n n ively : Therefore p will be = 1 and, if n be an even number, one of the colines y, r, s , &c. will be — — 1, one of the arcs , occ. being then = - . n 71 III. C 569 ] III. Ify be — — « i; then, A being = - ; p, r, s, &c. will be the cofines of C 3 C c / \ r cl — , — , — , &c. (») refped- 2« 2 72 2 n ively: Therefore, if « be an odd number, one of C thofe arcs will be whofe cofine is — i. IV. If in the equations z,271 — 2 y zn + i = o, and *a — 2 x z + I = o, we fubftitute v — i for z, they zn n s become v — i — 2 y xv — i + i = O, and v — i 2 XXU 1 -j- I = Vz 2 -j- 2 XX. V -|- 2 *-j- 2 X = O. Confequently 171 1 ^ x 2 + 2 qx 2 -j- 2 r, &c. is = 2 +2 y. But this equation vanishing when y is = I and n an even number, or when y is = — 1 4 C and [ 57° 3 and n an odd number, it will be proper to confider thofe two cafes more particularly. i V. Firfl:, Let us fuppofe y == I, and ?i an even number: Then p being = i, and one of the other cofines y, r, j, See. = — i (Art. II.) ; we fhall have rJ2n 2 n V2n~x + . . . . -|— 72* I)2 = rL,z -j- o x V2 4 4 XD2 2 -}- 2yX'U-|-2-f-2yX , y, r, 6cc being = — l (Art. III.), v2" — . w . . ~f n2vz will be = ^ -f-o Y.V2 2-f- 2pXV-\- 2-J[-2pX'V2 2 -j- 2 y X'U-f- 2 -f- 2 y, &c. Therefore, dividing by t4, v2n-2 __2n x nJ -j- 2 -f- 2p'*tV2 — 2-j-2yX‘U+ 2 -f- 2 y, See. and confequently 7i2 — 2-\-2px.i-\-2qx2-\-2r> tee. when the fadtor, whefe value is nothing, is ex- pung’d. VII. 3 \ [ 571 ] VII. Subftituting in the equations — iy z* + 1 = o, and z1 — 2 x z 1 — o, a- ^ M inftead of z, we have Cl — CO a -f- co a—— co zn zn — 2 y x # + CO Cl O) + I in. a~Y co — 2yxa~j~coxa — « -j- a CO zn = o, and a — co a -+- ca a — co z # “f- <0 , 2 X X + I Cl co ci co — 2 x x a -f- co x a CO + a CO Cl CO 2 + 2 X X co% + X a * 1 -f- x __ o. Confequently ci CO zn a -j- co — 2 y x a -j- co xa — w -j" a — w whl be =? j p 2 -j -2pX2~\-2.qx2.-\- 2 ry See. x coz -f- - — — a- Tp X CO* 1 I q a? x coz + - — ; — cf, See. I ~p r But, bysirt.YV. 2 -j- 2 x 2 2 q x 2 2 r, Sec. is = 2 + 2 y, the upper or lower of the two figns 4 C 2 prefix’d [ 572 ] prefix’d to y taking place according as n is an even or an odd number. zn Therefore — 2yxa-j~a xa—w &, is= 2 _p 2jy x cos + &c. — r “ x o)a + \rra 2 x&,2 + —j— J+P i+y i-f-r a' Now /> being the cofine of any number of degrees, radius being 1, — <3* will be the fquare of the tan- gent of half fo many degrees, radius being a: There- fore, denoting that tangent by b ; and the tangents of half the arcs defcrib’d with the radius a , whofe cofines, when the radius is i, are y, r, s , Sec. being denoted by cy dy ey Sec. refpedtively ; we have m n n m _______ a~\~M — 2 y x a + &> x w -\- a — &> == 2 Ip 2 y x &>2 -f- £2 x&,z -f“ x wa -j-fl2,&c. But when y is = r, and n an even number j or y — — 1, and n an odd number ; 2 Ip 2 y being = o ; nothing can be deter- min’d from that equation: Wherefore, in thofe cafes, recourfe muft be had to what is done above. VIII. Let us fuppofe y — 1, and n an even number : 2 n _ n n Then the equation a-j- w — 2 ^ x ^ + + a' — « = 4 x 2 -4- 2q x 2 4- ir. &c. uz x &>z 4- 2 x &>2 + 1 — ^ *z2’, 2 i-j-y i-j-r I p &c. p being = 1 [Art. II.) and ci 2 (= l2) s=s o.. 1+ P Moreover, one of the other cofines q , r, r, &c. being = — 1 [Art. II.), fome one of the factors 2 4- 2 qt 2-I-2 r, 2+25, &c. will vanifh : Which fadlor being expung’d from the product 4 x 2 + 2 q x 2 -{- 2 r, &c.. and reftor’d to the divifor w2 + - — r—? £s, or i+? j— co2 -j — a2, &c. from which it was taken, that di- i-f-r vifor will become 4 a2 \ and the product 4x2 + 2^ x 2 + 2r, &c. will then (by Art. V.) be = n2. » ” 2« Confequently^-f-o) — 2xa-j~oo xa — w *-j- a — 00 r will be = n2 x oz x 4 x w2 -f t2' x w1 -j- d2, &c. where the factor 4^2 takes place inftead of ooz + fq. of the tang, of po°. If y be = 1, and n an odd number, p will be = r, and b — o ; but no one of the cofines y, r, r, &c. will be = — 1, as when n is an even number. There- zn « fore, in this cafe, the equation a-j-a> — 2 y x a w » zn ______ — — x cl — 00 “f* cl — 00 =24 2 y X oo2 “h* bz ~t~ cz, &c. 2K " ” becomes a-j-w — 2 x a-Yu> x a — w + ^ — ; 4 x w2 x co2 + c2 x &)2 + &c. « [ 574 ] IX. By taking the fquare root of a + w — 2 x a-f- w n 7.n x a — co + a — w, and of its two values juft now found, we have, when« is an even number, a-j-co — a — w = 2 a n a x V coz + c% x V -j- &c. 2 a taking place inftead of V -j- fq. of the tang, of 5)0°. And, when n is an odd number, a + &> — a — — 2 co x V uz cz x V uz -'r d2-, &c. Whence the following conftrudtion is inferr’d. X. Defcribe about the centre C ( Plate XX. Jig. 1. and 2.), with the radius <7, the circle P A A' A ", &c. 5 draw the diameter P C and the tangent B " P P5; divide the femicircumference P A into as many equal parts P A , A A1, A" A ", &c. as there are units in the integer n ; draw the fecants C A B y C A" P", &c. and, taking on Ci^any point 0, draw A'" 0 Ks parallel to P P iP ; likewife draw P' A', P" A", P'" A", &c. parallel to P^; and call CO, Then will y be the cofine of twice the angle P C A , r the cofine of twice P C yP, j the cofine of twice P C A"\ &c. if the radius be 1. Therefore *P B' = O A' will be = c, P P" = O = <7, &c. and C K — V oox~\ - c2,C K" = V «* + 6cc. Confequently OP" — 0 JP being = a -f- co [ 575 ] — -a— « "and P 6^x COxC K' xCIT, Sec. = 2 n oo x V w2 + cz x "v/ft)2 -b d'2, Sec. when n is an even number ; O Pn — 0 will then be — n x x C O x C X' x C K", &c. where the diameter P n 2 takes place inftead of the infinite quantity C K. But if n be an odd number, OP * — O will be = 2 x CO x CX' x C X" x CK"\ Sec, XI. It is evident that, of the factors C K', C K\ C K", Sec. the firft and laft, the fecond and laid but one, &c. are refpedtively equal to each other. Therefore, omitting the fquares of the fadtors below P ^ and the fquares of their values, O^-OCi s = 72 X P^xCOx cr X CK'1 x n n C K See. and a -f- co — a — w = 2 a ?i w x cz x a>2 + d2, &c. when n is an even number ; or OP” — 0 Jjb is = 2xC0xCX'2x CK"1 x CK!"\ n _____ n . Sec. and a + &> « — a — &> = 2 a iXwO^b^-f ^ Sec. when n is an odd number. XII. X If we fuppofe y = — i, and n an odd number, it will appear, by proceeding much in the fame manner VI « » as in VIII. that a 4- -j- 2 x w M is = nz x x co2 + bz x w2 -j- x co2 + Sec, [ 576 ] Sec. where the fadtor 4 az takes place inftead of w* -j- fq. of the tang, of c?o°. 2 n If y be = — 1, and n an even number, a-p a + n n zn . _ 2xa-f~co xa — oo -f -a — co is = 4 x oo2J~ b%x Sec. Whence, by extracting the fquare root of both fides of thofe equations, we have, when n is an odd n n number, a + co a — co = 2 a n x V ooz ~p b* x VwJ-(- c *, &c. 2 a taking place inftead of V of -f- fq. of the tang, of (jo° : And, when n is an n n even number, a~p co + a — co =2 x V coz b* x V' 'f- c z3 Sec. Hence we infer this conftrudtion. XIII. Having describ'd about the centre C (Jig. 3. and 4.), with the radius a , the circle P a' A a" A\ See. draw the diameter P C Q, and the tangent b" P b 4 ; divide the femicircumterence Pa ' Q into as many equal parts P a, a A, A a'\ Sec. as there are units in 2 n ; draw the fecants C a b\ C a" b\ Sec. and, thro’ any point (0) in draw k" 0 P parallel to b" P P j likewife draw b' k\ b" k". Sec. parallel to P and call C O, co. Then, if the radius be i, p will be the cofine of twice the angfe P C q the cofine of twice P C a ", Sec. therefore P b' — 0 k' will be = b, P b' = 0 k'< = c , Sec. and C U = V co% + P, C k ' = V w* -j- c\ See. Con- [ 577 ] Confequently OP *+ 0 ^ being = «-(-« + tf— « , and « x P ^x Ck! xC k", fee. = 2 an x VT^f x V &)' + f\ fee. when n is an odd number ; 0 P” -f- O ^ will then be = » x P Qx Ctt x C £", fee. where the diameter P ^ takes place indead of the infinite n + 1 2 quantity C £. But if » be an even number, OP^-f-O^ will be = 2xCf xC &c. XIV. It is obvious that, of the fadors C k\ C k!\ &c. the firft and laid, the fecond and lad but one, &c. are re- fpedively equal to each other : Therefore the fquares of the fadors below P and the fquares of their values, being omitted, O Pn O ^ is — n x P ^x C£* x C &"■*, fee. and <2 4~ « + a — (a — 2 an x co2 + b* x &z ~r c*, fee, when ?z is an odd number 5 or O Pn + o is = 2 X C£'z X cr\ fee. and n n . - # 4- w ~ir a — co — 2 x coz~\-t>z x»*+fV& c. when n is an even number. XV. Writing in the equation «— 2 y x a-j-co x _ ft 2 n — . . a — « + — co = 2 + 2 y x «* -j- x -f- £*, fee. 4 D found [ 5 7s ] (found by Art. VII.) a — a for &>, the fame becomes - — n n ~n — . ■ - — 2 a — a — 2 y u x 2 a — a + u — 2 i y y. a2 — 2 a a +- a2 -j- b% x a2 — - 2 an + a% + c%i &c. = 2 + 2 y x a2 — 2 a u + '/&* x a2 — 2 a a + >2 * a* — 2 a u + J2, &c. if inftead of V a1 + b3, Va2 + &c. (the fecants of the arcs of which b, c , d , &c. are tangents), we put /3, jT, &c. And, by a like fubftitution in the equations in Art. XI. and XIV. it appears, that -• » . ia — u — u is = 2 a ax a — u x a2 — 2 aa-f->2 xu* — 2 a a +• 2, &c. or 2 x a — ax a2 — 2 au-\-yz xa2 — 2 an +• cf *, &c. according as a is an even or n n an odd number : And that 2 a — u + « is = 2 a a x a2 — 2 a u + (6Z x a2 — 2 a a + >2> &c. or 2 xa2 — 2 a a + /3a x a2 — 2au yzy &c. accord- ing as n is an odd or an even number. From what is done above, I might now deduce many corollaries j and, by means of other fubftitu- tions, inveftigate other theorems 5 but want of leifure obliges me to defilt. LXXVII. An Tbilos . Trans. 7WXLVDI .TAB .IX t 579 ] LXXVII. An Account of an extraordinary Difeafe of the Skin , and its Cure . Ex- tracted from the Italian of Carlo Crufio ; accompanied with a Letter of the Abbe Nollet, F. R. S. to Mr, William Wat- fon, F. R, S. by Robert Watfon, M. D, F. R. S. Read May i6,r~g ^ H E difeafe, which lately befel a I754- Ji^ young Neapolitan woman, being of an extraordinary nature, greatly excited the curiofity of the governors of the royal hofpital at Naples. Thefe gentlemen engaged Signor Crufio, the phy- fician of that hofpital, to whofe care this patient was committed, to draw up a faithful relation of the cafe. The Abbe Nollet, of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, being delirous of having an authentic account of what he had heard had been fo much the fubjedt of difcourfe at Naples, procur’d by his friends from Signor Crufio a tranfcript of this relation ; and, be- lieving it not unworthy of attention, tranfmitted it to London. In a letter to Mr. William Watfon, the Abbe Nollet allures him, that the relation contains nothing but what is true ; “ becaufe, fays he, I have been in- “ form’d of the fad by difintereifed perfons, and be- which, as well as L H , are So adjusted, as to leave the motion free, but without fhake. v. is the handle of the feeler, moveable upon a loofe joint at R ; So that, laying hold of it at the feeler is mov’d up and down without being af fedted by the irregular preffure of the hand. The extremity s of the feeler is alSo furnifh’d with a bit of protuberant hard metal, to render its con- tact i I [ 6og ] tad with the point of the micrometer- fere w more perfect. 7, is the micrometer-fcrew ; V \ is the divided index- plate, and W a knobb for the handle. The micrometer-fcrew pafles thro’ two folid ferew’d holes at D and T. The piece T Z is made a little fpringy, and endea- vours to pull the ferew backwards from the hole at 7); of confequence keeps the micrometer-fcrew conftantly bearing againft its threads the fame way, and thereby renders the motion thereof perfectly fteady and gentle. X, is the index, having divifions upon it, anfwering to the turns of the ferew. This piece points out the divifions of the plate, as the face of the plate points out the divifors upon the index. When the inftrument is us’d, lay hold of the knob at i^with one hand, and, moving the feeler up and down, with the other move forward the ferew 7, till its point comes in contadl with the feeler ; then will the plate and index Eand X Ihew the turns, and parts. Fig. 2. reprefents the inftrument immerg’d in its ciftern of water, ready for ufe. A B , is the ciftern ; C, the cover ; which, when the inftrument Jig. i. is rais’d upon blocks, goes on be- tween the bar E F and the bafis B C. D, a handle to take off the cover, when hot ; E, the jnercurial thermometer j jF, the cock to let out the water. G H , a hollow piece of tin, which fupports feven fpi- rit lamps, which are rais’d higher or lower by the ferews 1 and K , in order to give the water in the ciftern a proper degree of heat. 4 H A TABLE [ 610 ] A TABLE of Experiments, t By which the numbers in Tab. I. Col. 6. N° i, 2, and . 4, were determin'd. "Experiment 1. The time elaps’d between ap- proaching the bar to the inftrument and taking the firft meafure, was half a minute : Therefore the in- tervals between taking the fucceeding meafures was half a minute alfo. The firft meafure was 208 5 the fecond 2 1 44 ; the third 21 6~ j the fourth 2 j j\. The differences of thefe are 6±, 2, and 1 ; which pretty- well tallies with the three laft terms of the following geometrical progreffion whofe common divifor is 2.8 ; •viz. 17.7 : 6.3 : : 2.25 : .8; therefore as the mea- iures increas’d from the firff, the firft meafure being diminifh’d by the firft term, vi z. 208 — 17.7 = 190.3, will be the true meafure of the bar at the firft inftant of its application, before it was expanded by the heat and moifture about the inftrument. Exp. 2. The firft meafure was 221^5 the fecond, 227; third, 2307 ; fourth, 232-^5 whofe differences are 5^, 3^, and 2-4; agreeing with the three laft terms of the following progrefiion, whofe common divifor is 1.6 ; viz. 9.2 : 5.8 : : 3.6 : 2.2; therefore 221.25- — 9.2 = 212.15-. Exp. 3. The firft meafure taken was 401 ; and at that degree of heat the wooden bar did notfenfibly alter during two minutes. Exp. 4. The firft meafure taken was 2 75^ ; fe- cond, 278I ; third, 280!-; and the fourth, 282-4: The differences are, 3, 27, lij agreeing with the three 2 N» 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2b 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 TAB. I. A Table of Experiments. Matter of the Bars. Standard bar of white deal — White glafs barometer tube — — Martial regulus of antimony — Blifter’d fteel — — Another bar from the fame gad — Another bar from a different gad — • Steel harden’d — — • Dantzick iron — — Another bar from the fame gad •— Another bar from a different gad — Thick wire of Englifh iron — Another rod from the fame piece — Bifinuth, or tin-glafs — — Copper plate hammer’d — Another bar from the fame piece Copper 8 parts, with tin 1 — Caft brafs hammer’d — ■ — The fame brafs unhammer’d • — • Thick brafs wire hard drawn • — • Brafs wire fofter drawn - — Speculum metal — — Brafs 16 parts, with tin 1 — ■ - Speltre folder, viz. brafs 2, zink 1 Fine pewter — — — Grain tin - — — — Soft folder, viz. lead 2, tin 1 — Zink, 8 parts, tin 1, lightly hammer’d Hard lead — — • — Soft lead — — — Zink, or fpeltre — ■ — repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated repeated Zink hammer’d out half an inch a foot — — • Cota Meafure. 486.3 495.8 5H-6 573- 1 625. c 566.6 557- 1 684.1 751.0 685.7 683.8 719.7 740.1 739-9 904.5 697.5 705.8 683.9 683.5 756.0 694.9 689.6 542.1 605.0 660.0 7I7-° 721..0 581.1 584-2 682.4 691.2 694-5 741. 1 827.7 603 7 615.0 743-3 742.4 735-5 681.7 753-5 38 % 569-5 617.7. 552.7. 40 i 47 2 43 * 37 39 i 39 47 47 39 i 40 47 40 40 i 47 37 i 40 X 40 z 40 i 47 40 40 39 40 39 i 39- 39 i 47 391: 47 39 i 39 i 47 39 1 47 47 47 47 47 39 47 654.9 665.6 628.0 39 47 47 39 47 381 Middle Meafure. Hot • Meafure. Extreme?. Parts Deg. Parts Deg. Diff of of of of Djfferei.t Diff. Micro* rher- Micro- 1 "her- Parts. 1 "her- d uced to meter. nom. meter. nom. nom. i66». — 190.3 5 -ni — 296.0 17 X .87.0 212.1 in — : 283.7' 163I -88.0 401.0 109 ! 187.0 271. 1 in*. —302.0 174I-: 288.0 569.0 9ei 500.5 163 —124.5 I23i 267.5 — 406.3 206 — 160.3 167 1 59-5 494-7 112 398.0 208 —i59.i 161 1635 — 560.0 210 — 1 24. 1 163 126.1 708.0 95s 662.5 154 — 88.5 I+i 128.0 — — 564-9 210 — 120.8 170 118.2 638.0 566.3 2ioi —II7-5 I63A 119.0 599-5 210 — 120.2 170 117.5 — — 622.3 2io£ — 117.8 170 ”5-5 694.0 114 625.0 209 —1 14.9 162 ”7-5 8555 U3i 795.2 210 — 109.3 172? !°5-3 — — 593 5 2iif — 104.0 171 IOI.O — — 604.5 2I0| — 101.3 170 99.0 — — 580.3 2Ioi —103.6 170 IOI.O 642.9 114 583-1 209 • — 100.4 162 102.5 — — 653.6 209 — 102.4 169 IOI.O 593-6 207 — 101.3 167 IOI.O ■ — 606.0 21 1 — 83.6 172 80.7 — — 5n.i 205 — 31.0 165 31.2 593-5 94! 582.0 I42 — 23.0 1021 37-2 — 627.1 203 — 32.9 163? 33+ 705.0 93* 694.5 139* — 22.5 100 37-3 715.0 703-7 209 — 17-3 162 17.7 — — 57'-8 210 — 9-3 1701 9.1 582.0 112^ 575-o 2o8f- — 9.2 1614 9-5 — 673-5 210 - 8.9 17°* 8-7 695'5 ri2| 692.3 209i — 2.2 1622 22 i 741. 1 210 0.0 17°\ 0.0 828.8 112 826.5 208£ — 1.2 1614 1.2 602.5 inf 597.6 209 — 6.1 162 6.3 624.2 11Ji 632.5 209 + 17.5 162 17.9 764.0 I09s 793 8 21 1 + 50-5 164 51. 1 767.1 115 818.2 209 + 75-8 162 76.8 822.6 210 4- 87.1 171 8+5 713.0 114 765.C 210 ± 8 3- 3 163 84.7 797-5 105 826.5 *47 + 73-o xo84 1 ii. 8 — — 721.7 211 + 152.2 172 147-2- 664.5 no 753-c 211 + I35-3 164 236-5 609.3 no 680.7 211 + 128.C 164 129.5 — . 810. c 21 if + I55-I 1721 149.0 723-5 I I4a 812. c 210 + 146.4 .163 149.0 693.C 1061 744-5 150 +116.5 in? *73-° Place tbis between p. 610, 61 r. Cold and Medium. Differ- ent Parts. Diff. Ther mo- met. Diff. Pts re- duced to 66°. — — — 113.6 65? 114.5 — — — — — 56.0 57 65 0 62. 43-° 45.8 4 65 ■56 66; 45.9 67 49.0 75: 40.6 67 11.5 12.0 6.0 2.2 1.0 1. 1 1 2 9.2 20.7 24.7 53? 642 65i 63-3 5°-7 45-5 45.1 42.7 40.0 55? 13-7 65l 65 64? 642 62-1 68 3i 44.0 367 66; 46. 56.1 57 65.0 8 63 663 9 67. 68, Mean Fts de- duced from Ex- tremes. Irre- gula- rity. 14.7 6.1 2.2 T.O 1. 1 1.2 9-4 21.8 24.0 30.8 43-9 49.0 59-2 56.5 63.0 66 .5 65.0 51.0 47 -4. 46.7 4i -9 40 .8 + 1! > + 1! 14 .8 + i +2 + if — 1 + I + 1 14 .8 7 -o 11 0.9 0.5 2-5 7 -1 20 .4 3°-5 33-7 44.4 54-3 51 -5 59-4 68 .9 + * + *_ -f1 +H — 2?- - + + 6j +3 4- k + 5? — 74 + 3 + 6 4 4 t ! i [ 611 ] three laft terms of the following progrefllon, whofc common divifor is 1.43; viz. 4.4: 3.1 :: 2.15: 1.55 therefore 275'.^ — 4.4 — 271.1, which is the firft meafure corre&ed. Hence, as appears by ‘Tab. I. N* 1, 2, 3, and 4, Column 9. thefe experiments being properly reduc’d, agree within one divifion of the micrometer ; and the expanfion of the bafis, at a medium, is 287- parts thereof; correfpQnding to 1 66° of Farenheit’s ther- mometer. 4 FI 2 TABLE [ ] TABLE II. A Table of Expanfions of Metals, Shewing, how much a foot in length of each, grows longer by an increafe of heat correfponding to 180 degrees of Farenheit’s thermometer, or to the difference between freezing and boiling water, ex- prefs d in fuch parts whereof the unit is equal to the loocoth part of an inch. 1 White glafs barometer- tube. ; . 2 Martial regulus of antimony. 3 Blifter’d fteel. .... 4 Hardfleel. . y Iron. ... • • . 6 Bifmuth. . 7 Copper hammer’d. 8 Copper 8 parts, mix’d with tin I . . . 9 Caft brafs. . ... 10 Brafs 16 parts, with tin i. 1 1 Brafs wire. ..... 1 2 Speculum metal. . . . . 1 3 Spelter folder, viz. brafs 2 parts, zink i . 14 Fine pewter. .... 1 y Grain tin. ..... 1 6 Soft folder, viz. lead 2, tin 1. 1 7 Zink 8 parts, with tin 1, a little hammer’d. 1 8 Lead. ...... 19 Zink or fpelter. . 20 Zink hammer’d half an inch per foot. . 100 130 13* H 7 I67 204 2l8 22y 229 232 232 247 274 298 3©i 323 344 353 373 73 29.942 29.931 29.86 29.813 29.807 G. H. 20.1 3°-T 30-1 3°.! 3°-°5 30.05 30.05 30.05 3° 30.05 30.1 30. 1 L. H. 29.45 2 9-5 29.7 29,85 29.6 29.8 29.9 29.9 29.8 29.4 9.6 29.3 / L.W. M. H. 64-354 64-553 64.967 65OI 66.822 70-833 74.161 75-7°9 74.916 72.774 68.533 G.H. 69 68 70 68 70 76 77 78 78 76 72 71 L.H* 62 60 63 63 63 68 72 7Z 73 68 65 62 Anno 1752. January ,29.788 30.1 :9-55 65.254 68 62 February 29.866 3°-I5 29.7 63.O7I 66 60 March 30.026 30.2 29.75 66.O32 68 % April 22.844 30.05- 29.45 65.683 68 64 May 29.987 3°-I5 29.8 66.37 69 64 June 29.966 3°-r 29.7 70.58 74 67 July 29.999 30.1 29.9 72.962 75 70 Auguft 30.002 30.05 29.9 73.86 76 73 September 30.022 30.1 29.9 L.W. 76.53b 80 74 October 29.807 30. r 297 73.08 78 69 November 29. 51 30.05 29-7) L.W. 68.3 73 64 December 30.05 30,1 5 29.7 C 6.3 54 70 <4 4 I M .adeira. [ 6x8] Madeira, Anno 1753* Barometer Thermometer. M. H. G. H. L. H. M. H. G.H. ].. H January 29.9O4 3°.i7 29.6 63.I29 66 6l February 29-S>3 3 3°.I7 29.6 67.946 7° 6l March 29.943 30-1? 29. y 66.967 69 64 April 29.921 30*1 29.7 6f.3l6 68 63 May 29.896 3^ 29.8 66.7OO 69 6 5 June 29.988 30.05 29.8 {6p.6 72 68 Collecting the relpe&ive fums of the daily heights of the inftruments throughout the' year, and extract- ing the mean altitude, I find, The mean altitude of the barometer for each day, is ... 29.91 y inches. Of the thermometer, 68°. 91 8. The 'greateft barometrical variation, during four years and four months, has been 9 tenths of an inch, ■viz. from 29.3 to 30.2. For altho’ in April 1771. the mercury flood at 29.1, 1 find, by a note in my diary, that feme air having infinuated itfelf into the tube, I judg’d the mercury to hand 3 tenths of an inch lower than it ought. The greateft thermometrical variation, during the Said time, has been ao° ; viz. from 6o° to 8o° : But it may be obferv’d, I never knew it rife fo high but once ; occasion'd by a very ftrong lefte or levant wind; the extreme height, without fuch an accident, being never more than 78°. N. B. It may be neceflary to advife, that my ob- servations are made in the city of Funchal. The 4 t 6i9 ] The quantity of rain, which has fallen in the ifland of Madeira. Anno 1 751- 1752. *773- j Inch. Dec.Pts. Inch. Dec.l’ts. inch. Dec.Pts. January y.614 I 1.452 f-374 February .867 4496 2.912 March .I89 4.679 April .OI I 2.479 I.604 May i. 59 •399 .038 June .022 .860 .284 July — .221 .019 A nfTn ff XI Utiul L CD September | 3.176 •°3 Jm37 October 1-7°7 9.897 2-3 5 2 jN ovember 3*f°S> 7*37 1.967 December 10.483 .308 2.974 1 26.979 I 38*701 1 23-573 The quantity of rain, which has fallen the la& feven years, from 1747. to 1753. inclufive, amounts to . . - 214.346 inches. Therefore the mean quantity for each year is ... The mean quantity of water for each day of the faid feven years The number of days it rain’d in the faid feven years The mean quantity of water for each of the days it rain’d , 30.62 -\~C .083 -K 462 •703 +• 4 I 2 1 An An account of the number of days, on which it rained, and of the greatefl quantity of water, which fell in any one day of the refpedtive month j in inches and decimal parts. [ 620 ] ro XT' r\ .« CJ *-» *-• C w 03 > fM w'l c* \hOO rh Os •NO Vs rf- *0 cOCO ’-< OO \(- M C\ O CM 0 N »-« N KO\ V nh Vn Vn pm t\No C\ t\ ^ • • • 1-4 M 1 NO *oOO Vn m CO w OO O tJ- O W M r- • c» ■5* *: - 0 - O v* M 1— 1 OO Vs CO t~< V C\ h OO CM n ^ O N vO V H M NO CO CO IN. Q hH •-« 1 »-i M S' U Q rj 2 s (Tl K | 4l N M j | I o MN I I *-n 4" | O -■J* O 1 1 : Vs cm Vs tJ- On ~+- *0 IX -f- • • cm (0 >N ra Cs - 1 CM Vn h i I ff>C\ H W) Vs 'O Vn — }"CC Os OO NO *0 4- V Ti c.* Vs K O co M NO O co Tf- • O d * 3. s CO rf- tJ- O NO H- 1 O 4h cm Os 0 H- 1 rh In Vs 1-4 w *-000 NO hH CM *— t r4 NO CO O NO CM 0 H4 »-1 M nO CO fS 00 CO 1 1 f\ CM I 45 OO 0 ►>4 t-H 1 1 CS CO M Os -4* G v 1-4 >» -o CO CO r* HH »— » | | Nh c* rf- NC> CO 0 »— 1 1 1 hi Vs tJ- ►— 1 — I I Vn Vn co QJ Vs OO 0 r* 1 l H4 M OO OO Hh V. C C3 « > 0 00 CO CM V*v r* Vn • 1 1 x}-0O • • -rj- CM • • ►h hh Urj • M co Vn >. CO COCO VO I M I CO VH 7 4 CM O M 1 1 J 1 NO tJ-OO f-H HH Vs O OO «s Ns HH N Vn c< | % t}- CO co CO ►-< On cm O CO 0 >-i On • c/'r Vn HH >-H 0 cm NO i-t rH cMcoco'-i CM >-< C\ co £0 Jzj *h ^ .0 « 3 71 SJ5 g ^£2 Ut < CO Q % « -£ 6 £ £ U o 8 VO CO >v cS no u_ o O 2 ""a? *-> O H [ 621 ] LXXXII. Obfervations upon Father Kircher’j Opinion concerning the burning of the Fleet of Marcellus by Archimedes. By James Parfons, M. D. F. R. S. Read June 13TT THEN Marcellus befieg’d the tity l/54‘ Vt °f Syracufe, it is well known,, by the authority of thofe great hiftorians Livy, Po- lybius, and Plutarch, that the incomparable fkill and devices of Archimedes were the only obrtacles to his fucceeding in his enterprize, much fooner than he did. Thefe authors tell us of his having invented machines, with which he threw hones of an enor- mous weight, into the drips of the befieger; with fhowers of darts, flints, pieces of timber, and fuch like ; and had fo prepar'd his engines, as to be pro- per for any diftance the veflels might lie at, in the har- bour. And they are minute in their defcriptions of fome of them ; particularly, in his having deftroy’d the fambucay a machine contriv’d by Marcellus. Nor does it appear that the forces, inverting the city by land, far’d any better than thofe by water ; for it is faid he gall’d them in all quarters. And tho' the machines, as defcrib’d by thefe great authors, were wonders, furpafling the comprehenfions of the gene- rality of mankind, yet I believe their accounts have credit with the candid part of the learned, who de- light in hirtcry and antiquities. But what was mort difcredited, was Archimedes’s fetting fire to the fhips, by a burning fpeculum. Indeed fo diftinguirti’d a genius, if he could not de- ftrcy [ 622 1 ftroy them in that manner, muPc know, that he m'ght have thrown combuftibie matter, fufficient to burn the galleys, from his projedtile machines : For we cannot imagine that he was ignorant of every kind of thefe, and not even of the wildfire of the Greeks. But, however, to account for his burning the fleet, by a fpeculum, was the diflicult point. When philofophers began to increafe their catop- trical experiments, which they did very early, they found the focus, of every fpeculum that was concave, fo fhort, that they were eafily inclin’d to conclude, that Archimedes could not fet fire to the fleet by a fpeculum ; and hence the fadl became intirely dif- credited, till the famous Kircher, and his pupil Schot- tus, whofe characters and works the learned world are well enough acquainted with, refolv’d to confider not only the ftory of Archimedes, but alfo that of Prod us, who is faid to have deftroy’d a fleet at Con- dantinople in the fame manner. Kircher, however, notwithstanding the incredulity that appear’d every-where among the learned of his time, concerning thofe fadts, was not deterr’d from giving great attention to the matter himfelf; which led him to make innumerable experiments, in order to fee whether it was poflible to be done or not, be- fore he would give any opinion about it; and at length, when he had commended the parabolical fpe- culum, which he, and others, were inclin’d to think the mofl: likely to fucceed in fucli an enterprize ; he was inclin'd to think, Archimedes made ule of fuch a fpeculum. But, foon after, he was difcontented with this notion, and began to make new eflavs ; and, being happy ' [ 62Z ] happy in his invention, he fell upon one, which lef- fen’d his former good opinion of the parabolical Spe- culum, and made him more fenfible of the incon- veniencies attending it, or thofe of any other form, that had any great degree of concavity • and, in a word, engag’d him intirely in favour of his new thought, which was put in execution in the following manner : He eredted a frame, on which he placed five plane fpeeula, of equal given dimenfions, with fuch incli- nations as made them all throw their refieded rays upon the fame place, at more than one hundred feet difiance. When he had fet the firfi fpeculum, he went and laid his hand upon the place, whereupon he caus’d the rays to fall, and found it warm ; when he added thofe of the fecond, the heat was doubled j the third increas’d the heat in the fame proportion ; and the fourth being added, the heat was fcarce to be borne ; but the fifth made it intolerable. From whence he concludes, that, by multiplying thofe fpe- cula, the heat might be fo increas’d, as to fet fire to combuftible matter at greater diftances, according to the number apply ’d. Now becaufe I think it a matter of fome ccnfe- quence, in the learned world, to afcertain to every author the praifes due to his labours and difcoveries, and to fhew this author’s application of the invention to the confirmation of this Archimedean fad; I think it alfo incumbent on me to give the Society his own words upon it, which he himfelf has reduced to a problem. PrOB LEM A. / [ 624 ] P ROB LEM A IV. Mac bin am ex fpeculis plants conjlruere ad centum pedes Cj ultra urentem . a Suppono igitur primo, fpeculum planum tanto “ majorem lucem refledere, quanto illud majus fu- “ erit j ita pedale fpeculum in vicino pariete, lucem w pedalem, in rernoto, ad centum pedes lucem tan- u tam, quanta pars quarta pedis eft, projiciere, expe- l ahem the animal* in & titieir Ctifia A S/ing of At? I magnified % to alien’ tJieanima / in the inoide. of itii horny J kin . Climbing Coralline ^g'ith bed a ha fid Knotted Sea thread Cora time, e/imbing u/i a Paeua . Coralline on an Oyfieraletl. J- AffiiuLefc' 3 ran c/i d lot/Tcrs horn V,S\ . V \ / \ ■ [ 627 ] . this animal was embedded, that I defpair of finding any whole bones : But I think thefe fragments are fufficient to (hew, that the elephant was as large as that mention’d by Fentzelius, in thefe Tran factions. The apex of the tulk, which I preferv’d, and the acetabulum before you, were both found within twenty feet of the other bones mention'd, and are, as I apprehend, in better condition than they*are, from their being taken up immediately upon being dif- cover’d, and not left to be expos’d to the injury of the weather, and violence of the tides ; which foon affedts bodies fo expos’d, after having lain under ground for ages. LXXXIV. A Letter fro??i Mr . John Ellis, jp. R. S. to Mr . Peter Collinfon, F. R. S. concerning the a?iimal Life of thofe Coral- lines, that look like mmute Trees , and grow upon Oyflers and Fucus s all round the Sea- coajl of this Kingdom . SIR, Read June 13, f "| ^ H E doubts, that I find ftill remain I75+’ JL °n the minds of many curious and learned men of the animal nature of corallines, on account of their beautiful ramifications, and regular plant-like appearances, determin’d me to perfuade our ingenious friend, Mr. Ehret, to accompany me to the fea-fide, that he might there be an eye-witnefs of what I had advanced to you, and many other 4 K 2 worthy [ 628 ] worthy members of the Society $ and to make exact drawings of the feveral different objects, as they ap- pear’d to him thro’ the microfcope. Accordingly, on Monday the third of this inftanfc June, we let out, and arriv’d at Lewes in Suffex that evening, and the next morning at Brighthelmftone* The weather being very calm, and few fucus’s or co- rallines being thrown aShore on the beach, I hir’d a fiSherman, the next day, to take up fome oyfters from an old oyfter-ground, that had been long difus’d, lying about three or four leagues off to fea, and where, by his defcription, the Shells were cover’d with great varieties of thele minute tree-like corallines y with directions, that, as foon as he took them out of the fea, he Should immediately put them into a bucket of fea- water j but, unfortunately, he put the oyfters into a fisherman’s balket ; by which means, many varieties were dead, notwithstanding we receiv’d them two hours after they were taken out of the fea, and had them put immediately into fea- water : However, by the oyfters lying on one another, fome of the co- rallines were kept fo moift, as to be perfectly alive, and briSk. In order to diftinguifh them more ealily, we pluck’d them off the oyfters, and placed them in white earthen plates, and pour’d as much fea- water over them as would juft cover them: After we had let them reft for a little while, to recover themfclves, we could eafily difcover, with a magnifying giafs of an inch focus, which were alive, and which not : Accordingly, I cut off fmall pieces of feveral of the livelieft, and placed them in watch-glaffes fill’d with fea- water ; thefe, after refting a little while, I placed, one after another, on the Stage of the microicope. The [ 629 ] The unufual fight fo amaz’d our friend (who had his doubts), that he could fcarce believe his own eyes; for he had hitherto imagin’d, with many others, that thefe corallines were vegetables, and only the recep- tacles of animals, as many other plants are, and not the proper cafes, (kins, or coverings, of their bodies. The firfi: coralline that offer’d itfelf to our view, was n° i. ( Plate XXII.), where it is reprefented, in its natural appearance, climbing upon the podded fucus tf, with irregular threadlike ramifications, as at b ; one of which is exhibited magnified at A, in which we may obferve a broad dark line in the middle of the tranfparent flem and branches. This is part of the tender body of the animal, and feems as a fup- port for its feveral heads and flomachs, with the many hands or claws belonging to each : For at the top of each of the branches we may obferve a polype with twenty tentaculi, or claws, which do the office of hands, its mouth in the centre of them, and its fco- mach underneath, inclos’d in a fine tranfparent cup. The fine out-lines reprefent the horny fkin, or out- ward coat, that ferves this compound animal as a de- fence, in the fame manner as the fhells of teftaceous or cruftaceous lea-filh. The fkin or covering of the arms, that fupport the cups, is form’d in fmall rings, which gives the ani- mals the more freedom to move about dextroufly in feizing their prey. At letter B is the microfcopical reprefentation of a ftill fmaller coralline than the former ; the natural fize of it is exprefs’d at jig. 2. This creeps up, and twines round other corallines by fmall vermicular tubes, and fends out its curious (lender arms irregu- [ 63° 1 larly : Thefe arms, in the microfcope, look like rows of the fmalleft beads of a necklace : T o the top of each of thefe is fix’d a cup, for the reception of the polypes, the brim of which is curioufly indented. Thefe we faw alive, and extending themfelves about in various dire&ions. Fig. n° 3. reprefents part of another coralline of its natural fize, juft as it appear’d expanded in a plate of fea-water. It is call’d, in Ray’s Synopfts , ed. 3. corallina ra - frioja cirris obfita ; and by Doody, in Ray’s Synopfts , ed. 2. fruticutus elegam gcniculatus cirris obfitus. Letter C expreffes a branch of this coralline magni- fied ; where you may oblerve, on each capillary fide— branch, rows of fmall polypes, each with eight ten- taculi, or claws, riling out of little fockets. The upper divifion, or tube, of thefe little branches, as at b , appears full of joints, one to each polype ; but we could eafily perceive, that all the polypes were con- ne&ed together, and communicate with the principal Item, or body, which is inclos’d in the middle tube. The under fmall tube of the capillary fide-branch at c, which runs parallel with the upper one b , and ad- heres to it, appear’d clear, hollow, and jointed. This coralline arifes from a tuft of fmall irregu- larly-matted tubes, like a fponge growing to an oyffer- fhell, as at g ; the fmaller branches e are inferted in circles round the larger branchy’, at equal diftances, like the plant call’d horfetail, or equifetiwi. As we were obferving thefe corallines, we perceiv’d, on one of them, a different- fhap’d polype, which thru fled itfelf out of a fmall funnel- fh ap’d pipe : This was in- ferted Thilos. Trans .Vo £ . ixeviii.Tab .xxnr. ^631 . jfett/'/irous Coralline magnf/eee/ to a herv the _j firm of the ee/Zd with, their anima/s. in dome a/we. in other a dead . CeZZtferous ( ora //in e S wif/i anguZar edges ft> its eeZZs. Sea. Oah CoraZZine . creeping on a ft rice of a Fueus do ca//e/ Pomgranate flowering Coralline On an Oyfter d/eZ/ . Sen Oah Coralline magnified to a hen’ Z/ie amnia fa /// the dtem and aeficles . Fomgrarxate flowering Co raZZtne magnified '■s** to shew tfce afifiearance of the animats tn the Stern and the differ entfbrm of the ueaic/e,* . [631 ] ferted in a cell, whofe brim, or border, was furrounded by little fpines. Thefe cells we obferv’d to compofe that fpongy rough matter, which incrufts almoft all marine fub- ftances, but chiefly fucus’s. Fig. 4. reprefents the natural ftze of thele cells on a fucus ; letter D ex- preffes the cells and polypes, with twelve tentaculi to each, as they appear magnified ; where the animals are feen railing and expanding themfeives. When they are difturb’d, they draw themfeives within their fheath, or pipe, which clofes on them, and fink to- gether into their cells. The curious denticulated coralline at «° y. Plate XXIII. has very much the appearance of a plant, at firft view, even when it is magnified, as at E. This gave us a farther corroborating proof, that thefe ex- traordinary fpecies of beings are animals : For we obferv’d, that the fmaller polypes, that extend them- feives out at the opening of every oppofite denticle, or little projecting tube, are united at the bottom, or lower- part, to the flefhy fubftance of the main body, that paffes thro’ the middle of each branch, or ftem, and are fo many different bodies united in one ; acting like fo many fets of hands, placed in form of a cir- cle, collecting food, each for a mouth in the centre, to convey nourifhment to fo many ftomachs, which are fix’d in the fwelling part, or bottom, of each den- ticle. This great fupply of nourifhment from all tides, gives that great increafe, and variety of ramifi- cations, to this wonderful clafs of many-bodied ani- mals. Befides thefe fmall polypes, which compofe the branches, thefe corallines fend forth, from feveral 2 parts, , [ 632 ] parts, many veficles, of different fhapes, at certain fea- ions of the year, according to their different fpecies. Thefe veficles are protruded from the outward fkin or horny covering of thefe branched polypes, and from the inward or flefliy part arifes a larger polype ; one of which occupies each of thefe veficles. Thus a coralline full of veficles looks like a plant full of bloffoms, which, after they have arriv’d at their perfedt hate, fall off, with their capfules or ve- ficles, and become new-detach’d animals, to provide for themfelves; in the fame manner as the falling feeds produce other plants. Upon examining this coralline, we found, that the animals in the veficles were dead ; but, immediately afterwards, we had an opportunity of difcovering the veficulary polypes alive, in another coralline ; which are defcrib’d at fig. 6. in their natural fize, and at letter F as they appear’d magnified. This fpecies I have call’d the lea-oak coralline, from its being moft frequently found creeping on, and adhering to, the largeff fpecies of the quercus marinus , or fea-oak fucus. The veficles of the denticulated coralline, letter Ey are defcrib’d as they appear’d full of fpines at the top, and clos’d up, as at letter G. The veficles of the fame fpecies are more fre- quently found as defcrib’d at 7, where the fpines are not unfolded: From this appearance, I have call’d it the pomegranate-flowering coralline, becaufe they nearly refemble the opening bloffom of the balauftine, er double flower of the pomegranate. The branches of this coralline are often obferv’d to end in vermicular tubuli, as at H , which are much of I [ 633 ] of the fame form with thofe it begins with ; fo that thefe animals can, and do, change their fhapes, for the feveral ends and purpofes of their being; and this in a moft furprifi ng manner. I had farther an opportunity of examining fome of thofe kind of corallines, which I call celleferous, from their having rows of cells difpos’d in plant-like rami- fications. The fmall black fpots in each cell , which I had conjedtur’d before to be the embrio of a future teftaceous animal. Vid. Phil. Pranf. Vol. 4,8. Tab. VI. p. 1 1 f . I found now to be the contracted bodies of dead polypes ; for we here faw fome of thefe po- lypes ' alive, and extending themfelves out of their cells, as at KyJig. 7. and upon reviewing them, when they were dead, found they made the appearance of blackifh fpots in each cell, as at Ly Jig. 7. So that we have reafon to fuppofe, that this fpecies of polypes, that form thefe corallines, do change into teftaceous bodies. But of this I do not doubt, that time, [and more obfervations, will fully convince the curious. I am. SIR, Your moft afFedtionate friend, and fervant. Lawrence -Lane, June I3,I7S4- LXXXV [ 63 4 ] LXXXV. Extract of a Letter from Camillo Paderni, Keeper of the Mufeum Hercu- laneum, to Tho. Holies, Efq\ dated at Naples, April 27, 1754. o NE reafon for not anfwering your Read June 1 3, >754- letter earlier has been the embaraff- ments, which 1 have had about the mufeum, elpecially in forming the place itfelf to a convenient lhape for the things, which it is to contain. Till this was done, the whole was unavoidably in great confufion. I had the direction likewife of the people, who work’d under-ground, and of the feveral artifls otherwife employ’d. Befides, I was defirous to fend you the printed catalogue of the mufeum, which has long been order’d, yet cannot ftill be publiflfd thefe three or four months. When it is out, I fhall be at liberty to write more fully and freely than is at prefent per- mitted. However, I can now fend you an account of the difcoveries made of late, that is, within thefe twelve months, in the pretended city of Herculaneum. I fay pretended , becaufe it is my own opinion, that the place, where they have dug for fome time paft, and actually do now dig, is not Herculaneum, but a different place from it, tho’ almoft contiguous to it; as I could eafily make appear, was I at liberty to write : But time will clear up this matter. My duty made it neceffary for me to defcend into it almofl daily ; and when my bufinefs was done, 1 alwTays indulged my curiofity and genius in viewing and examining the leveral objects there. The place where C 635 3 where they are digging, at prefent, is under 11 Bofco di Sanf Agofhno , but a little diflant from the royal palace at Portici. Its depth is 1 25 Neapolitan palms*, one of which is more than the mercantile canna of Rome. All the buildings difeover’d in this fite are noble : Many of the pavements are of mofaic, va- rioully and finely made ; others are of different- colour’d marbles, difpos’d with a beautiful fymmetry ; and moft of them are already taken up. In one of thefe buildings there has been found an entire library, compos’d of volumes of the Egyptian Papyrus, of which there have been taken out about 2 yo ; and the place is not yet clear’d or emptied, it having been deem’d neceffary to eredt props firft, to keep the earth, which lies above it, from falling in upon it. Thefe volumes of Papyrus confifl of Latin and Greek ma- nuferiptsj but from their brittlenefs, occafion’d by the fire and time, it is not poffible to unrol them, they being now decay’d, and rotten. His majefty how- ever has done his part; having fent for a certain monk from Rome, who belong’d to the Vatican li- brary j in hopes, by his means, to have unfolded them ; but hitherto in vain. Your fervant Paderni alone can fhew fome frag- ments of feveral lines > and more than this, he is much afraid, will never be feen. Of thefe there are many in my cuftody, which I fuppofe you will have the pleafure of obferving, in the intended catalogue. There have been found of thofe fmall tables, which they cover’d with wax and the palimpfefton , and then 4 L 2 wrote * A Neapolitan palm is faid to be Ilf- inches Englilh. [ 636 ] wrote on them with the J'tylus : but all thefe are be- come a kind of cinder 5 and have likewife fuffer’d by the damps ; from both which circumftances they are now fo tender, that they break with the touch. In the fame place there have been met with three fmall bulls ; one of Epicurus, another of Zeno, and the third of Humachus ; with the names of each in- fcrib’d upon the bafts, in Greek letters. A little di- llant from the preceding fite has been difcover’d an- other noble building, with a fquare court belonging to it ; the inftde of which, alone, has been hitherto examin’d. This fquare is form’d with fluted columns made of brick that was flucco’d. In the angles were four terms of marble, with bulls upon them, in bronze, of the fineft manner, having the name of the Greek workman upon one of them. In the centre, betwixt the terms, there was a fmall fountain, form’d by a vafe ihap’d like a cockle-fhell, and fupported by a fmall fluted column. There have been likewife found three other bulls, large, and in bronze alfo, of the moll excellent workmanlhip. Within thefe few days the following things have been taken out of the fame fite ; to wit, a female llatue, fix palms high, perhaps a goddefs, tho’ without any attribute, and but of mid- dling workmanlhip ; two moll beautiful candlellicks, fix palms and an half high, exquifttely wrought in chas’d work ; other candlellicks, much damag’d by the fire and time ; many fragments in bronze, which, not having any particular merit, it is needlefs to de- feribe, except two fmall figures of fawns, that are finely executed. In the fame place was difcover’d a large fountain, lin’d throughout with lead ; round it were eleven heads of lionefles, out of which the water flow’d. [ 63 7 ] flow’d. Pipes of lead are very often met with ; and a day fcarce paflfes, but fomething is brought to be deposited in my cuftody. The above is all I can write, at prefent, concerning our late difcoveries. The mufeum goes on increafing greatly. Now there are in it two curule chairs, which are uniques ; thefe were in a chamber by themfelves, and had been fomewhat injur’d. One is Amply of bronze, and the other of bronze, which had been gilt. I can allure you, that when, in the courfe of a few months, every thing is properly ranged and placed in this mufeum, it will be one of the fined; in Europe ; as well for the Angula- rity, as beauty, of its objects. Now, particularly, I wifh you were here ; being thoroughly perfuaded, that you would pafs entire days with me in it, as fe- veral other of my friends have done, with the utmofi: fatisfaftion. If my time had not been fo entirely taken up in putting the mufeum into fome general order, I could eafily have given your learned friend, Dr. Ward, the defir’d information about the antient weights and meafures ; which particular things, how- ever, are not yet diAin&ly methodiz’d. We have va- rious meafures, but without any marks upon them : Ey their form, they appear fuch, as are defcrib’d by Montfaucon, and others. We have, alfo, many weights of all fizes, with their feveral marks upon them, proper for fcales ; and many fteelyards, like- wife, of all fizes, the links of which being broken, it will firfl: be neceflary to rellore them, before any proofs can be made of them. I already conceive a high efieem for Mr. Stuart and Mr. Rivet, from the honour, which they have acquir’d to themfelves by their celebrated undertaking. When they come hi- ther. C 638 ] ther, I {hall endeavour to procure them fubfcribers to their work, and lhew them every civility in my power. LXXXVI. Experimental Examination of a white metallic Subjlance / aid to he found in the Gold Mines of the Spanifh Weft- Indies, and there known by the Appella- tions of Platina, Platina di Pinto, Juan Blanca. By William Lewis, M. B. F. R. S. PAPER I. Read May 30, 1 754. Experment 1. TH E fubftance brought into England under the name of platina appears a mixture of diffimilar particles. The moft confpicuous, and by far the largeft part of the mixt, are, white, fhining grains, of feemingly fmooth furfaces, irregular figures, generally planes with the edges rounded off. Upon examining thefe with a microfcope, the furface appear’d in fome parts irregular i the prominencies fmooth, bright, and fhining j the cavities dark-colour’d and roughifh. A few of them were attracted, tho’ weakly, by a mag- netic bar. The grains above defcrib’d are the true platina. The heterogeneous matters intermingled among them, in the feveral parcels, were, 1. A C 63 9 ] 1. A blackifh duff, feparable by a fine fleve. This was farther divided, by a magnetic bar, into two different fubftances : the part attracted, was of a fine fparkling black colour, much refembling the black fand from Virginia : the part not attracted was of a dark brownifh hue, with feveral bright molecula , which appear’d to be fragments of the grains of platina. 2. Among the larger grains, feparated by a coarfe fieve, were obferv’d fundry irregular dark-colcur’d particles, fome blackifh, others with a caft of brownifh red, in appearance refembling fragments of emery or loadftone- Several were attracted, weakly, by the magnet. 3. There were a few rough yellow particles, refem- bling gold, which upon farther examination they were found to be, tho’ probably not entirely free from platina. 4. A few globules of quickfilver, containing gold, with fome particles of platina intermix’d and pretty flrongly adhering. 5. Some fine tranfparent particles, probably fpar. 6. A very few irregular particles, of a jet-black co- lour. Thefe broke eafily, and look’d like the finer kinds of pitcoal. Laid on a red-hot iron, they emitted a yellowifh fmoke, and fmelt like burning coal. Remarks. 1. It appears from the foregoing obfer- vations, that this mineral has not come to us in its native form j being, probably, taken out of the mines in large maffes, which have been broke, and treated with 2 [ 64° ] with mercury, in order to extract the gold, of which poffibly it at ffiff: contain’d a conliderable quantity. The quantity left by the workmen is extremely fmall ; fome pounds of the mixt having yielded only a few grains. A moderate fire renders more of thele golden particles difcoverable, than can be feen at firft j the mercury evaporating, by which feveral of them were concealed. 2 . Some part of the brownifh powder is probably adventitious, as well as the mercury ; being worn off from the {tampers and mills employ’d for commi- nuting the mineral, and triturating it with the mer- cury. 3. The roughnefs and dark colour of the cavities of the grains of platina feem to proceed from a fub- ffance fimilar to the black duft, adhering in them. It is probably owing likewife to this heterogeneous mag- netic matter, that fome of them are attracted by the loadflone. Experiment 2. Some of the purer grains of platina, by gentle ffrokes of a flat hammer, upon a fmooth anvil, bore to be confiderably flatten’d, without breaking or crack- ing about the edges : fome quickly crack’d, and dif- cover’d internally a clofe granulated texture. All are reducible, by rude ftrokes in an iron mortar, tho’ with difficulty, into powder. They feem’d to be rather more brittle when ignited, than when cold. Experiment 3. The fpecific gravity of platina, with its hetero- geneous admixtures, as brought to us, was found to be [ 641 ] be to that of water as ifi.poy to 1.000. The quan- tity weigh’d for this purpofe was no lefs than a 000 Troy grains. The larger grains of platina, feparated as much as poflible from the other matters by the fieve, and cleans’d by heating, boiling in aqua fortis, mixing them with fal ammoniac, and forcing off the fait by f re, and afterwards wafhing them 5 weigh’d in air 64.2, in water 600.7 S : whence their gravity turns out 18.213. The microfcope dill difcover’d a confider- able portion of blackifh matter in their cavities. Thefe trials were feveral times repeated on differ- ent parcels of platina : the refult was nearly the fame in all. Remark. The gravity of this mineral, great as it appears to be from the foregoing experiments, would probably turn out dill greater upon a farther purifi- cation of the platina, fince it is manifedly mix'd with fome of the lighter heterogeneous matters. Experiment 4. 1. A quantity of platina, containing its ufual ad- mixture of magnetic dud, was kept for fome time of a moderate red heat in an iron ladle. The bright particles became fomewhat duller-colour’d ; the mag- netic ones were no longer attracted. In other refpedts there was no fenfible alteration. 2. An ounce of platina was urg’d with a drong fea-coal fire, in a blad -furnace, for above an hour: the heat was fo vehement, that the black-lead cru- cible vitrify’d, and the dip of Windfor brick, which cover’d it, melted, and ran down. The grains of platina were found fuperficially cohering into a lump, 4M of [ 6+3 ] of the figure of the bottom of the crucible, of a brighter colour than at firft. On a flight blow, they readily fell afunder again, and leem’d not to have al- ter’d their fhape. 3. In feveral repetitions of the experiment, the platina began to cohere in a moderate white heat : the grains were at this time very ealily feparable, and feem’d to cohere the more flrongly in proportion as the heat was rais’d. In the moft intenfe fires, which the common velfels could not long fupport, the pla- tina did not melt, or foften, or alter its figure, or lofe, fenfibly, of its weight. The colour was conftantly brighten’d by a firong heat, and generally render’d dufky by a fmall one : on quenching it, when vio- lently heated, in cold water, the grains, which com- pos’d the internal part of the lump, acquir’d a violet or purple colour. Experiment y. 1. As the power of fire upon metallic, as well as earthy fubftances, is remarkably promoted by the im- mediate contadt of fuel, and the impulfe of air upon the fubjedt \ platina was expos’d to its adtion in thofe circumftances. A crucible, having a bed of char- coal in it, was laid on its fide, in a good blaft-furnace, with its mouth towards the nofe of the bellows ; and four ounces of platina fpread upon the charcoal. The fire was vehemently urg’d for above an hour, during which an intenfe white flame pafs’d thro’ the crucible, and ifiii’d at an aperture made for that purpofe. The crucible was vitrify ’d : the grains of platina only fuperficially coher’d, and became brighter, as in the preceding experiment, without feeming to have foften’d or alter'd their drape. 2. The [ 643 ] 2. The experiment was feveral times repeated, and varied : once, common fait was thrown on the fuel before the crucible, and its fumes ftrongly impell’d on the platina : fome platina was likewife placed before the nofe of the bellows in violently-excited fea-coal fires, fo ffrong as to almoft inftantly melt off a piece of the end of a forg’d iron rod, without effedt ; ex- cept that once there were a very few globular drops, about the fize of very fmall fhot : thefe broke eafily on the anvil, and look’d, both internally and exter- nally, like platina. Remark. It is probable, that the fufion here was owing to fome accidental admixture, poffibly iron : for the unmelted grains, expos’d afterwards to a fire rather more intenfe, fuffer’d no lenfible alteration. Experiment 6. Platina was likewife expos’d to the fire in con- junction with feveral fubftances, which are found to promote the fufion of other bodies, or to occafion confiderable alterations in them. 1 . Platina mingled with powder’d charcoal, with compofitions of charcoal, foot, common fait, and wood allies, fubftances employ’d for changing iron into fteel ; fuffer’d no change in weight or appear- ance, whether urg’d with an intenfe fire, or cemented for many hours in a weaker one. 2. Platina was injedted into melted borax, and urg’d with an intenfe fire for feveral hours, without undergoing any alteration. Nor had black flux, common fait, pure fix’d alcaline falfcs, or cauftic al- calies, any lenfible effedt. 4 M 2 3. Vi- [ 644 ] 3. Vitreous matters were no more powerful than the faline. Platina was kept in ftrong fires, for ievera! hours, with common green glals, with glafs of anti- mony, and with glafs of lead, without feeming to be in the lead: adted upon by either. 4. Platina was likewife ftratified with plafier of Paris, a powerful flux for the moft difficultly-fufible metallic body hitherto known, forg’d iron ; as all'o with quicklime, and with calcin’d flint ; with as little effedt as in the former trials. Experment 7. Nitre, which reduces all the known metallic bo- dies, except gold and filver, into a calx, was mix’d with an equal weight of platina, the mixture injedted into a flrongly- ignited crucible, and the fire kept up for a considerable time ; no deflagration happen’d ; and the platina, freed from the fait by repeated ab- lutions with water, prov’d of the fame weight and appearance as at fil'd. Experiment 8. 1. An ounce of platina was fpread upon twice its weight of fulphur, with which fome powder'd char- coal had been previoufly mix’d to prevent its becom- ing fluid in the fire fo as to fuffer the platina to fub- fide. The crucible, having another with a hole in the bottom inverted into its mouth, was kept in a ce- menting furnace for feveral hours, when the fulphur was found to have entirely exhal’d, leaving the pla- tina feparable from the charcoal by wafhing, without alteration or diminution. I 2. We [ 64S ] 2. We likewife varied the experiment, inje&ing repeatedly pieces of fulphur upon platina ftrongly heated ; and conftantly found, that pure fulphur had no more effect upon this mineral than on gold itfelf. 3. As fix’d alcaline falts enable fulphur to diflolve gold ; platina was expos’d to the fire with a mixture of fulphur and alcali, call’d hepar julphur is. After a confiderable heat had been continu’d for fome time, and the matter occasionally ftirr’d, very little of the platina was found remaining in its proper form ; the greateft part being taken up by the fulphureo- faline mixture, fo as to diflolve along with it in water. General Remarks. It appears, from the foregoing experiments and observations, 1. That probably this mineral is originally found in large, hard mafles, compos’d of true platina, a fub* fiance Similar to the black Virginia fand, and another ferruginous matter of the emery kind, lome Spar, and particles of gold. 2. That thefe mafles are, not without great labour, deduced into Small grains, which are afterwards ground with mercury, in order to extradt the gold. 3. That the pure platina is a white metallic fub- fiance, in fome fmall degree malleable : that it is nearly as ponderous as gold, equally fix’d and per- manent in the fire, equally indeftrudtible by nitre, unaffected by fulphur, diffoluble by hepar fulphur is * That it is not to be brought into fufion by the great- eft degree of fire procurable in the ordinary furnaces^ whether expos’d to its adtion in clofe veffels, or in contaCt with the fuel ; by itfelf, or with the addition of inflammable, Saline, vitreous or earthy fluxes. XL Ex- C 646 ] PAPER II. Kead jane 20»*T"'HE more obvious properties of this ‘/34- A extraordinary mineral, and its ha- bitus to fire, hngly, and in conjundtion with the va- rious fubftances call’d by the chemifts fluxes , made the objedl of the firft paper. In this, it is propos’d to examine the eftedl of acid fpirits, iimple and com- pound, applied after various manners ; in order to determine not only its relation or habitus to them, but likewife its lefs obvious agreement or difagreement with the metallic bodies, whofe hiftory is more known. The platina employ’d in the following experiments was previoufly freed from its line dull by a fieve ; from the mercury, by ignition ; and from the golden and fome of the other heterogeneous particles, by the eye affifted with glaiTes. Experiment 1. Platina with the Vitriolic Acid. 1. Several parcels of platina were digefted for fome hours, in a gentle heat, with fpirit of vitriol, both concentrated, and diluted with different proportions of water. No folution happen’d, nor any fenfible alteration, either in the liquors or the platina. 2. Three ounces of well-dephlegmated fpirit of vitriol were boil’d with one ounce of platina, in a tall, narrow-neck’d glafs, for fome hours. The liquor remain’d neatly of the fame quantity as at firft ; and no [ 647 ] no change could be perceiv’d either in it, or in the platina. 3. The glafs being cut off, a little above the li- quid, the heat was gradually increas’d, till the liquor, which now began to evaporate, had, in five or fix hours, totally exhal’d, and the platina become dry, and red-hot. When grown cold, wafifd with water, and exficcated, it was found exactly of the fame weight as at firft, and its grains not divided, or ap- parently alter’d. Remark. Platina appears therefore to entirely re- fill: the vitriolic acid ; which, by one or other of the above proceffes,diffolves or corrodes every other known metallic body except gold. Experiment 2. Platina with the Marine Acid. 1. Weak and ffrong fpirits of fait being digefied, feparately, with one-third their weight of platina, in a gentle heat, for feveral hours, the liquors remain'd uncolour’d, the platina unalter’d, and undiminilh'd. The heat was afterwards increas’d, and the liquors kept ffrongly boiling till they had totally exhal’d, without occafioning any fenfible change in the pla- tina. 2. Three ounces of a mixture of two parts decre- pitated fea-falt and three parts of vitriol highly cal- 'cin’d, were prefs’d fmooth into a crucible ; an ounce of platina fpread evenly upon the furface, and cover’d with fome more of the mixture ; the crucible clofely luted, and kept in a moderate red heat for feveral hours. On examining it when grown cold, the faline 2 mixture [ M ] mixture was found to have melted, and form’d a fmooth, uniform lump. The platina, which had funk to the bottom, being feparated from the mix- ture by walking, prov'd of the fame appearance as at firfl, tho’ a little deficient in weight. 3. The experiment was repeated with what is call’d the regal ceine?it> a let's fufible mixture, compos'd of common fait and colcothar each one part, and four parts of powder’d red bricks. An ounce of platina, furrounded, as above, with fix ounces of this com- petition, and cemented in a clofe-luted crucible with a red heat, for twenty hours, was flill found unalter'd in appearance, tho’ there was fome deficiency, as be- fore, in the weight. Remark. The marine acid, when thus detaind in the fire by the combination of other bodies, till ftrongly heated, and then fet at liberty in the form of fume, difl'olves or corrodes all the known metallic fubflances, gold alone excepted. As the platina, in thefe experiments, retain’d its original polifh’d fur- face, without any mark of corrofion j it was prefumd, that this mineral likewife had refilled the marine fumes ; and that the deficiency was owing to fome of the fmaller grains having been wafh’d off, along with the ponderous colcothar or metallic matter of the vi- triol ; an accident not eafily avoided. 4. Platina was therefore treated with mercury- fub- limate, a combination of the highly-concentrated ma- rine acid with a volatile fubfiance, wdiich in a proper degree of heat it readily forfakes to unite with other metallic bodies. An ounce of platina was fpread upon three ounces of powder’d fublimate ; the glafs cover’d, and fet in fand : After a moderate fire for fome [ 649 ] fome hours, the fublirhate was found to have entirely arifen, leaving the platina of its original weight, as well as appearance. y. Fifty grains of a mixture of one part of platina and two of gold, well neal’d, and cautioufly ham- mer’d into a thin plate, were furrounded with regal cement, the veftel cover’d, clofely luted, and kept for a confiderable time in a red heat. Upon exa- mining the metal, it was found to retain the white- nefs and brittlenefs, which gold conftantly receives from fo large a proportion of platina ; and to have loft in weight about half a grain, or one- hundredth. Remark. The lofs here appears to have proceeded, not from the platina, but from alloy in the gold em- ploy’d, which was above ftandard, but not perfectly fine : For the metal cemented a fecond time, with frefh mixture, fuffer’d no farther diminution. If the marine acid were capable of diffolving platina, in- ftead of one-hundredth, nearly one-third would have been exeded. , This experiment therefore determines, with certainty, the refiftance of platina to the marine fumes ; and that the regal cement, fo call’d from its being fuppos’d to purify gold from all heterogeneous metallic matters, is incapable of feparating platina from it. ’Experiment 3. Platina with the nitrous acid. 1. Spirit of nitre diluted with water, proof aqua fortis , and the ftrong nitrous fpirit, were digefted fe- parately, with one-third their weight of platina, in a gentle heat, for feveral hours. During- the digeftion, 4 N fome [ 650 ] fome bubbles were obferv’d, as if a folution was be- ginning : but the liquors acquir’d no colour ■ and the platina, waflfd and dry’d, was found to have neither alter’d its appearance, or loft of its weight. The fire being afterwards increas’d, and the acid fpirits kept ftrongly boiling till they had entirely evaporated, no change could be obferv’d in the platina. 2. Platina was likewife treated with nitrous mix- tures, ‘by proceftes fimilar to thofe, in which it had been expos’d to the marine fumes. After cementa- tion for many hours, in a red heat, with a mixture of three parts calcin’d vitriol, and two of melted nitre, the grains were recover'd not only unalter’d, but likewife without any deficiency in weight. Remark. From thefe experiments it is plain, that platina, equally with gold, refills the force of the vitriolic, marine, and nitrous acids, tho’ apply’d in fuch a manner, as to be capable of perfe&ly diftolving all other known metallic bodies. Experiment 4. Platina with aqua regia. 1. Aqua regia, which perfedlly difTolv'd gold, pour’d upon platina, began to adt on it in the cold, and, by the afliftance of a moderate heat, llowly dif- l'olv’d it ; acquiring at firft a yellow colour, which deepen’d by degrees, as the menftruum became more faturated, into a dark brownifh red. A few drops of the faturated folution tinged a large quantity of water of a fine golden colour. 2. The experiment was feveral times repeated with different aquas regia;, made by diftolving fea-falt and fal 2 [ 6St ] fal ammoniac, feparately, in four times their weight of aqua fortis ; and by abftradting t he nitrous fpiri from the fame proportion of each of the falts With all thefe menftrua the folution feem'd to fuc- ceed equally. 3. In order to determine the quantity of men- ftruum neceftary for the folution ; three ounces of an extremely ftrong aqua regia, diluted with water, were pour’d upon one ounce of platina, in a retort, to which was adapted a recipient. A gentle heat being applied, the menftruum adted violently, and red fumes arofe in abundance. When about two-thirds of the liquor had come over, the adtion w^as fcarce, if at all, fenfible, though the fire was confiderably rais’d. The diftill’d liquor, which appear’d of a light redifh colour, being pour’d back again into the retort, the folution began afrefh ; the vapour, which now came over, appear’d pale, compar’d with the firft. The cohobation was repeated four times, the diftill’d liquor proving paler and paler every time : At length, both the fumes and adtion ceas’d, though the fire was rais’d, and a confiderable part of the platina remain’d undiftolv’d. The folution was there- fore pour’d off, fome more of the menftruum added, the diftillation and cohobation renew’d, and this oc- cafionally repeated, till the whole wras taken up, ex- cepting a little blackifti matter, of which hereafter. The quantity of ftrong aqua regia, employ’d for dif- folving the ounce of platina, was five ounces ; but the lafi: parcels appear’d from their yellow colour not to be fully faturated, and, upon trial, were found to take up near fifty grains of frefh platina. 4N2 Remark . [ 65a ] Remark. It appear’d, that by this method of managing the procefs, one part of platina was dil- foluble in about four and a half of aqua regia : But that when the digeflion was perform’d in open veflels in the common manner, and the fumes, which arile copioully during all metallic diffolutions, fuffer’d to exhale, more than half as much again of the men- ftruum was requifite. This procefs might therefore poffibly be applicable to advantage, in making folu-, tions of metals in the way of bufmefs. Examination of Solution of Platina. Experiment i. As the vitriolic acid carries down metallic bodies, gold not excepted, from their folutions in other men- flrua j this acid was mix’d with folutions of platina. 1. When the folution of platina was previoufly diluted with water ; the addition of dephlegmated fpirit of vitriol occalion’d no precipitation, or change of colour, tho’ a large quantity of the acid was, at different times, dropp’d in, and the mixture fuffer’d to hand for feveral days. 2. Dephlegmated fpirit of vitriol, added to an un- diluted folution of platina, immediately render’d it turbid, and threw down a dufky-colour’d precipitate. The precipitate was not re-diffolv’d on the affufion of water ; nor was the precipitation prevented by adding water immediately after the acid had been dropp’d in. Expo [ 653 ] Experiment 2. Solutions of platina, evaporated by a gentle warmth, to a proper pitch, and then fet to fhoot, yielded cry- fials, of a dark, almoft opake, red colour, in form of leaves, like flowers of benzoin, but thicker. The cryHals, wafh’d with proof fpirit, became fomewhat paler, but Hill remain’d of a high colour, refembling the deeper chives of faffron. Expos’d to the fire, they feem’d to melt, emitted white fumes, and at length fell into a dufiky afh-colour’d calx. Experiment 3. Solutions of platina, dropp’d upon hot marble, immediately corroded it ; but did not, like folutions of gold and fome other metals, communicate any colour. Nor did they give any Ham to the fkin, to feathers, ivory, or other like animal fubftances, which liquors containing gold tinge purple. Experiment 4. As a minute proportion of gold contain’d in li- quors is difcoverable by their ftriking a purple colour with tin. 1 . Some bright plates of pure tin were put into a folution of platina diluted with water. The plates, in a little time, look’d of a dark olive colour, and foon after were cover’d with a redifh brown matter 5 The liquor became at firft darker colour’d, and after- wards by degrees, as the precipitate fell, nearly cc~ lourlefs ; without exhibiting the leaflt appearance of a purplilh hue. z. Pla- [ 654 ] 2. Platina was digefted in a quantity of aqua regia infufhcient to diflolve the whole ■ and the refiduum diflolv’d in a frefh parcel of the menftruum. The two folutions, treated as above, yielded fomewhat different phenomena, but no tendency to a purplifh caft could be perceiv’d in either. The latter, which looked yellow from not being fully laturated, was, when diluted with water, almoft colourlefs. Never- thelels, on the addition of the tin, it became yellow again, then red, and at length of a dark brownifli red confiderably deeper than the other more faturated folution. On handing for fome time, it grew per- fectly clear, depofiting a paler, yellowifh precipitate. 3. To determine whether platina was capable of preventing a fmall proportion of gold from difeover- ing itfelf on this trial, one drop of a folution of gold was let fall into feveral ounces of a folution of pla- tina diluted with water. On adding fome plates of tin, the whole became immediately of a fine purple. Remark. It may be proper to obferve, that in thefe kinds of experiments, plates of tin are far more eligible than the folutions of tin ufually employ’d : For the folutions fail of ftriking a purple colour with folution of pure gold, unlefs certain circumftances are obferv’d, which are not eafily hit upon ; but tin in fubflance conftantly fucceeds, and requires no par- ticular precaution. Experiment As gold is reviv’d from its folutions by inflammable fpirits, the metal gradually arifing to the furface, in form of a bright yellow cuticle ; [ 655 ] 1. A folution of platina was mix’d with a large proportion of highly-redtified fpirit of wine, and ex- pos’d for many days to the fun, in a wide-mouth’d glafs, flightly cover’d with paper, fo as to keep out duft. There was no appearance of any yellow Ikin j nor any other alteration, than that the platina had be- gun to cryftallize from the evaporation of the fluid. 2. A drop or two of a folution of gold being added to a large quantity of a mixture of folution of platina and fpirit of wine, and the whole expos’d as above to the fun ; a golden film was in a few days obferv’d upon the fur face. Remark. It follows from this experiment, and the foregoing one with tin, that platina contains no gold and that it cannot, any more than the common metallic or other foluble fubftances, prevent a fmall proportion of gold mix’d with it from being dis- coverable. Experiment 6. j. The fpirits of fal ammoniac, prepar’d both by quicklime and by fix’d alcaline falts, added to fo- lutions of platina diluted with diftill’d water, preci- pitated a fine red fparkling powder j which, exfic- cated, and expos’d to the fire in an iron ladle, became blackilh ; without at all fulminating, which calces of gold, prepar’d in the fame manner, do violently. On walhing fome of this precipitate upon a filter, by repeated affufions of water, the greateft part of it dif- folv’d ; only a fmall quantity of a blackilh matter remaining, and the liquor palling through of a deep, bright, golden colour, A very large quantity of the [ 656 ] fluid was tinged of this colour by a fmall one of the of wormwood, fix'd nitre, the lixivium faponarfum of the London pharmacopeia , precipi- tated a powder fimilar to the foregoing, except that its colour was lefs brilliant. 3. Sal ammoniac likewife, one of the ingredients, to which the inenftruum ow’d its power of diifolving the platina at firft, precipitated great part of it in form of a fimilar powder. 4. The liquors remaining after all thefe precipi- tations with faline fubftances, appear'd of a yellow colour, almoft as deep as before the precipitation. Fix’d and volatile alcalies being added alternately, the liquor flill continu’d yellow : But either of them, added after fal ammoniac had perform’d its office, threw down a freffi precipitate, which left the liquor colourlefs. 5. The addition of tin likewife, after either of the falts feparately had throwm down all they were capable of doing, occafion’d a freffi and complete precipitation; provided a little more of the men- ftruum was dropt in, to enable the liquor to adt upon the metal. powder, 2. S Experiment 7. As gold is totally precipitated by alcaline falts, but platina only in part ; and as a minute portion of pla- tina, remaining diffolv’d, tinges a furprifingly large quantity of the fluid of a yellow colour ; it was pre- fum’d, that a fmall admixture of platina with gold might by this means be readily difcoverable. A few [ 6S7 ] A few drops of a folution of platina were there- fore mixed with above an hundred times the quan- tity of a folution of gold ; the whole diluted with water ; and a pure alcaline fait gradually added, as long as it occaiioned any eftervefcence or precipita- tion. The remaining liquor was of fo deep a yellow colour, that it was judged the platina would have difcovered itfelf, though its proportion had been lefs than one thoufandth part of that of the gold. < Experiment 8. 1. Zinc, which totally precipitates all the other known metallic bodies, put into a diluted folution of platina, was very quickly adled on, and threw down a blackilh calx. The liquor in good meafure pre- ferved its yellow colour ; a mark, that part of the platina remained fufpended. 2. Iron, which precipitates all the metals from their folutions, except zinc, threw down a fimilar calx. It could not be judged by the eye, whether the precipitation was complete, the folutions of iron and platina nearly agreeing with one another in co-- lour. 3. Copper, the precipitant of mercury and gold, readily threw down platina from its folution, in forni of a greyifh calx, which was found upon trial to re- tain a notable quantity of the copper. The liquor remaining after the platina had fallen was of a more dulky green than folutions of pure copper, probably from its retaining fome of the platina. 4. Mercury, which precipitates gold alone from aqua regia, put into a diluted folution of platina, feemed in a little time to be divided, and did not 4 O run [ 6.58 ] run freely. Soon after, it appeared covered with a greyifh matter, which at firfb was apprehended to be a precipitate, but was found afterwards to be a part of the mercury corroded. Upon applying a moderate heat, the whole of the quickfilver, the quantity of which was very confiderable, was diffolved, without any precipitation. The experiment was repeated with a larger quan- tity of mercury than the folution was capable of taking up. The platina now gradually fell down among the undiffolved quickfilver, in form of a dark brownifh powder -3 leaving the liquor nearly colour- lefs. 5. A folution of gold mingled uniformly with a folution of platina, without occafioning any turbid- nefs or precipitation. The mixture, diluted with water, and differed to ffand for fome time, threw up a bright golden pellicle to the furface. Experiment p. 1. A folution of platina, fuper- impregnated with as much mercury as it was capable of taking up, on being evaporated a little, fo as to difpofe it to fhoot, yielded cryflals not at all like thofe of platina, but in form of fpicula, externally of a yellowifh hue. Thefe, flightly wafhed with proof fpirit, became colourlefs : Expofed to the fire, they emitted copious white fumes, with a hiding or crackling noife ; and left a very fmall quantity of a reddifli powder. 2. A mixture of folutions of gold and platina, be^ ing treated in the fame manner, ruby-coloured cry- flals were obtained, which appeared to be chiefly gold, with very little of the platina. Remark. C 659 ] Remark. It feems therefore, that mercury* and gold cryftallize from their folutions before platina, leaving greateft part of that mineral difiolved. This affair, particularly with regard to gold, deferves farther in- quiry. Experiment io. As the calces of metals, obtained by precipita- tion from acids or by other means, vitrify along with fritt or glafs, and tinge them of various colours; and as this procefs is recommended by fome for in- veftigating the nature of unknown metallic bodies ; the following trials were made with precipitates of platina. 1. Half an ounce of a precipitate thrown down fromfolution of platina by plates of pure tin, was tritu- rated in an iron mortar with eight times its quantity of common white glafs, the mixture put into a cru- cible, which was clofely luted, and placed in a wind furnace. The fire was gradually raifed, and kept up extremely ffrong for about ten hours ; when, the crucible being taken out and broken, the matter ap- peared of a dark blackilh colour, untranfparent, eafily friable; interfperfed with a bright whitifh matter, apparently metallic. Remark. It is probable, that this metallic matter y/as the platina ; and that the glafs owed its opacity and dark colour, not to this mineral, but to the tin in the precipitate, fome particles of iron abraded from the mortar, or other accidental caules. 2. A quarter of an ounce of a precipitate of pla- tina, made by alcaline fait, was ground in a glals mortar with twelve times its weight of white glafs ; and committed to the fame fire as the foregoing. The 4 O 2 refult [ 66o ] refult was a compact, cloudy glafs, pretty tranfparent in thin pieces, covered in part with a thin whitifh coat. Towards the upper part, and all round the tides, were obferved feveral particles of metal ; which appeared to the eye like bright platina, and proved hard to the point of a knife. Remark. Nor does the glafs here feem to have received any thing from the platina ; the change be- ing no other than what white glafs is found to un- dergo from a flight impregnation with inflammable matter, General Remarks. It appears from the experiments related in this paper, that platina, like gold, is not adted on by the Ample acids, which diflolve every known metal- lic body befldes : That aquse regiac, the folvents of gold, prove likewife menftrua for platina : And that confequently the common methods of aflaying or purifying gold by aqua fortis , aqua regis , or the re- gal cement , can no longer be depended on : That it differs from gold, in giving no ftain to the folid parts of animals, not flriking a purple colour with tin, not being revived from its folutions by inflammable fpirits, not being totally precipitable by alcaline falts y that in certain circumftances it throws out gold from its folutions ; that thefe properties afford means of diftinguifhing a fmall proportion of gold mixed with a large one of platina, or a fmall proportion of pla- tina with a large one of gold j and that platina con- tains no gold, excepting the few particles diftinguifh- ed by the eye : That platina is precipitated from its folutions by the vitriolic acid, and by the metallic fubftances, which precipitated gold, though fcarce totally [ 661 ] totally by any : And that its precipitates refill vitri- fication, and this perhaps in a more perfedt manner than precipitates of gold itfelf. PAPER III. Read June 27, 1754. 'THE two former papers have given A an account of the habitus or relation of platina to the principal fubftances, which adt up- on metallic bodies ; and fhewn, that it is a fimple metal, of a particular kind, eflentially diftindt from all thofe hitherto known, though pofleffed of fome properties generally fuppofed peculiar to gold. Many of its diftinguilhing charadters have been already pointed out : Others will refult from combining it with the feveral metals ; with each of which, not- withstanding its refiftance to the molt intenfe fires by itfelf, or with unmetallic additions, it melts perfedtly ; occafioning remarkable alterations in their colour, texture, and hardnefs. Article i. Platina with Tin. I. Equal parts of platina and pure tin were in- jedted into a mixture of black flux and common fait in ftrong fufion ; and urged with a quick fire, in a good blaft furnace. After a few minutes the whole appeared perfedtly melted ; and on being in- flantly poured out, run freely along a narrow mould, forming a fmooth ingot, nearly of the lame weight with the platina and tin employed. The compound proved extremely brittle, breaking eafily from a fall : Inter- [ 662 ] Internally it appeared of a clofe and fmooth, though uneven furface ; and of a dark-grey colour. By the file, or a knife, it was readily fcraped into a blackifh duft. 2. One part of platina and two of tin, covered with black flux, borax and common lalt, were melted in a wind furnace : The platina appeared perfectly taken up by the tin, l'ocn after the fire had been raifed to a light white heat. The ingot was found deficient in weight about one-ninetieth. It greatly refembled the foregoing, being only a little lefs brittle, and of a fomewhat lighter colour. 3. One ounce of platina and four of tin, covered with black flux and common fait, and urged with a quick fire, melted together without lofs. This com- pound yielded a little to gentle flrokes of a flat ham- mer, but was by no means tough. It broke in pieces from a rude blow, and was fiiil readily fcraped into Juft by a knife. The furface of the fradture was rough and granulated. 4. One part of platina and eight of tin, injected into a fluid mixture of black flux and common fait, united, without lofs, into a pretty tough compound ; which bore to be considerably flattened under the hammer without breaking, cut fmooth with a thin chiflel, and Shaved with a knife. Broken, it appeared of a Sparkling, dark-coloured, coarfe-grained texture. y. One fart of platina and twelve of tin, treated in the fame manner, formed a mixture tolerably duc- tile ; but ftill of a dull, dark hue, and a rough coarfe grain, though fomewhat lefs fo than the preceding. 6. A mixture of one part of platina and twenty- fur of tin, proved not much differ than tin. The colour [ 663 ] colour was whiter, and the grain finer and evener, than thofe of the preceding compofitions 5 though in both refpedts it fell confiderably fhort of pure tin. 7. Several of thefe compofitions, covered with black flux, which had been previoufly melted, were expofed, in crucibles clofely luted, to a flrong fire in a wind furnace, which was fteadily kept up for eight hours. When taken out, they were all found to have fuffered fome diminution, amounting to about one- fortieth of the tin. In appearance and quality, there was no fenfible alteration, except that the mixture feemed more uniform, and the grain a little finer. 8. The remarkable gravity of platina induced us to examine the feveral mixtures hydroftatically. Here it was found, that the fpecific weight of the com- pound conftantly turned out lefs than the medium of the gravities of the two ingredients ; and generally the more fo, as the proportion of the platina was the greater. Specific Gravity. Platina — By Experiment. 17. OOO By Calculation. Difference. Platina 1, Tin 1 IO. 827 I 2. opo I. 263 Platina 1, Tin 2 8. 971 IO. 473 r. 481 Platina 1, Tin 4 7- 794 9- 144 1. 35° Platina 1, Tin 8 7. 7°7 8. 271 0. y66 Platina 1, Tin 12 7* 613 7- 937 0. 322 Platina 1, Tin 24 7- 47 1 7- 573 0. 102 Tin 7- 180 Remarks . It appears from the foregoing experi- ments, that platina melts with at leaf!; equal its weight of tin : That it defiroys the malleability of near [ 66+ 3 near four times its weight : That with larger propor- tions it forms compounds tolerably dudtile, but ren- ders the texture of the tin coarfer, and debafes its colour. The difference in colour of thefe compo- fitiens was much lefs confpicuous on the touchftone, than when the fradtures of the ingots were examin- ed ; though, on clofe infpedtion, they appeared all fenfibly duller and darker than pure tin, and the more fo, in proportion as the platina prevailed. They all tarnifhed in the air ; thofe leafl, which had a very ffinall or a very large proportion of platina. It is remarkable, that though tin is a metal very readily deftrudtible by fire, yet in mofl of the pre- ceding fufions, there was fcarce any fenfible lofs of weight. This is to be attributed not folely to the admixture of the platina, but likewife to the flux made ufe of, and more particularly to the celerity and fhort continuance of the heat. In N° 2 and 7, the only ones, in which the lofs was at all confiderable, the fire was flowly railed, and long contiaued. Article 2. Platina with Lead. 1. Equal parts of platina and lead were injected into a mixture of black flux and common fait, pre- vioufly melted together j and the fire haflily raifed by bellows. A much ffronger heat was requilite than for the fufion of platina with an equal quantity of tin ; and the lofs was confiderably greater, amount- ing to about one-flxty-fourth. The metal yielded difficultly to the file ; broke, from a moderate blow, of a clofe texture, uneven furface, and rough jagged edges : I [ 665 ] edges : The colour was very dark, with a faint pur- plifh caft. 2. One part of platina and two of lead, covered with borax and black flux, and expofed to a gradual fire, in a wind furnace, did not come into fufion till the fire had been raifed to a flrong white heat : From the continuance of heat in this experiment the lofs was great, being nearly one-twenty- fourth of the mixture. The ingot proved hard and brittle, like the preceding,' but broke off a ftriated furface. 3 . One ounce of platina and three of lead, treated in the fame manner, required ftill a very flrong fire for their perfect fufion ; and loft about on e- twenty- fixth. The metal broke lefs eafily than either of the preceding, and in fome meafure yielded to the ham- mer : The colour was fomewhat darker, and inclined more to purplifh. 4. One part of platina and four of lead, being covered with black flux and common fait, and com- mitted to a wind furnace, the platina was not per- fectly taken up, till the fire had been raifed to a con- fiderably flrong white heat : The lofs was one-for- tieth. The fame proportions of the metals, injeCted into a fluid mixture of the flux and fait, previoufly brought to the above degree of heat, almofl inftantljr melted, and loft only one-hundred-and-fixtieth. The ingot was much tougher than of the foregoing, filed well, and cut tolerably finooth with a knife. Upon breaking, the upper part appeared compofed of bright plates, the lower of dark purplifh grains. y. One part of platina and eight of lead united eafily in a quick fire, and loft little or nothing. The metal worked and looked like very bad lead : On 4 P breaking, [ 666 ] . breaking, the texture appeared partly compofed of tranfverfe fibres, and partly of grains the colour dull and purplifh. 6. One part of platina and twelve of lead united, without lofs, into a compound very little different from the foregoing. On breaking, its texture was foinewhat finer, and compofed chiefly of fibres, with very few grains. 7. A mixture of one part of platina and twenty- four of lead proved not very much harder than lead of a middling quality. The colour was ftill fome- what purplifh, and the texture fibrous ; but the fibres were remarkably finer than where the platina was in larger proportion. 8. The foregoing compofitions, when newly po- lifhed, appeared in general of a dark iron colour ; which, upon expofure to the air, quickly tarnifhed to a brownifh yellow, a deep purplifh, and at length a blackifh. They all filed freely, without flicking in the teeth of the file, as lead does by itfelf. 9. Upon returning thefe compounds to the fire a fecond time, it was conftantly obferved, that after they had come into perfect fufion, if the heat was flackened a little, great part of the platina fubfided : That neverthelefs, the lead decanted off, even in a heat below ignition, retained fo much of the platina, as rendered it of a fine fibrous texture, and purplifh colour. The feveral mixtures, covered with black flux, and kept in ftrong fufion, in crucibles clofelv luted, for eight hours, fuffered a diminution in weight, amounting to about one-thirtieth of the lead. On breaking, thofe with a large proportion of platina ap- C 667 ] peared of a leafy, and thofe with a fmaller, of a fine fibrous texture, which feeraed in general to be cha- raderiftics of the perfed union of the platina and lead. They all looked whiter and brighter than at at firfi, but tarnifhed fooner in the air. One mixture in particular, of four ounces of platina and twelve of lead, broke into large, white, bright, ihining, talc- like flakes j which, on expofure to the air, changed in- a little time to a reddifh, a purple, and a deep blue ; and at length turned flowly to a dark blackifli colour. 10. On examining thefe compounds hydroflati- cally, their gravities turned out lefs than they ought to have been according to their calculation, but not fo much lefs as thofe of the compofitions of platina and tin. Platina Platina 1, Lead 1 Platina 1, Lead 2 Platina 1, Lead 4 Platina 1, Lead 8 Platina 1, Lead 12 Platina 1, Lead 24 Lead Specific Gravity. By Experiment. I/. OOO By Calculation. Difference. 14. 029 14. I93 0. 164 12. 925 2f7 O. 332 12. 404 12. 509 0. 105 II. 94-7 I 2. OO9 0. 062 II. 77+ II. 8l8 0. 044- II. I I. 575 386 I I. 6lO 0. °3? Remark. It appears, that a fmall proportion of platina is taken up and kept fufpended by lead, in a very gentle heat; but that a large proportion is not taken up near fo eafily as by tin, and if united by a ftrong fire, fubfides in part upon its abatement. A little quantity ftiffens and hardens lead more than it 4 P 2 does [ 668 *] does tin ; but a large one does not near fo much, diminifh its malleability. A leafy or fibrous texture, a purplifh colour or difpofition to acquire this colour in the air, are peculiar to the mixtures with lead. Article 3. Platina with Silver. 1. Equal parts of platina and of pure lilver re- vived from lima cornea , covered with borax, and urged with a ftrong fire in a blafl furnace, melted perfectly together, and without lofs, but did not run freely along the mould. The ingot was hard to the file, and broke from a rude blow ; though by gentle ftrokes it bore to be confiderably flattened. Inter- nally it appeared of a much duller and darker colour than filver, and of a coarfer texture. 2. One part of platina and two of filver, covered with nitre and common fait, did not flow thin till the fire was raifed to a very flrong white heat. The compound proved lefs brittle than the foregoing, and not fo hard to the file : The texture was com- pofed of final ler grains, and the colour whiter. 3. One part of platina and three of filver flill re- quired a very firong fire for their perfect fufion : The ■ metal was hard and brittle, though lefs fo than the preceding: When well and repeatedly nealed, it bore to be hammered, or flattened betwixt Heel roll- ers, into thin plates. 4. One part of platina and Jeven of filver melted together with eafe. This compound hammered to- lerably well, proved much harder than filver, and not fo white, or of fo fine a grain. ' y. Thcfe 7 [ 669 ] 5- Thefe com portions, weighed hydroftatically, turned out like the others, a little lighter than by cal- culation : But the difference, which before feemed to increafe with the platina, was here greateft when the platina was in lead: proportion. -■ . Specific Gravily. By Experiment. By Calculation. Difference. Platina * OOO Platina 1, Silver 1 I3* 535 13- 990 O. 455 Platina 1, Silver 2 12. 45 2 12. 987 O. 535 Platina 1, Silver 3 11. 790 12. 485 O. 695 Platina 1, Silver 7 TO. 867 11. 732 O. 865 Silver IO. 980 Remark . Platina appears to unite more difficultly with ftlver than with either of the foregoing metals. Even when the proportion of the platina is fmall, the greateft part of it fubftdes upon an abatement of the heat, by which the union had been effected. This was prevented by pouring out the metal, when per- fectly fluid, at one jet, into a broad mould > in which the compound begun to congeal before the platina could feparate. Platina diminifhes the malleability of filver far lefs than that of tin or lead ; and does not, in whatever proportion employed, fo much debafe its colour, or difpofe it to tarnilh in the air. Article 4. Platina with Gold. 1. Equal parts of platina and gold, expofed to an .intenfe fire, melted perfectly together, and ran [ 67° ] thin into a long mould, without lofs. The metal was of a white colour, hard to the file, broke from a rude blow, but when well nealed, yielded confi- derably to the hammer. 2. One part of platina and four of gold came in- to fufion in a moderate fire, but ffcill required a very ftrong one for their perfed: union. This compound appeared but a little paler than ftandard gold with filver alloy ; and proved fo tough, as to be beat, with proper care, into thin plates, without breaking or cracking about the edges. On melting it a fecond time with nitre and borax, it became very pale, and was not without great difficulty made to recover its colour. Article y. Platina with Copper. 1. Equal parts of platina and copper, expofed, without addition, to a flrong fire haftily excited by bellows, foon became fluid, but not thin ; and loft about one-fixty-fourth. The metal proved extremely hard to the file ; broke difficultly on the anvil ; flew afunder on endeavouring to cut it with a chiflel j and appeared internally of a coarfe-grained texture and white colour. 2. One ounce of platina and two of copper, urged with a quick fire in a blafl: furnace, without addition, flowed fufficiently thin, and fcarce buffered any fen- fible lofs. The metal was fiill very hard, and yielded but little to the hammer. It looked darker coloured than the foregoing, with a flight reddifh call:. 3. One ounce of platina and four of copper, treat- ed in the fame manner, united, without lofs, into a pretty [ 67i } pretty tough compound ; which bore to be confider- ably flattened, cut with a chifiel, and bent almoft double before it cracked. Internally, it looked of a fine texture, and a very pale copper colour. 4. A mixture of one ounce of platina and five of copper, firetched fomewliat more eafily under the hammer than the preceding ; and appeared of a redder colour. 5. Upon increafing the copper to eight times the quantity of the platina, the compound proved fuffi- ciently tough, broke difficultly, and hammered well. It was much harder than copper, and of a paler co- lour. 6. A mixture of one part of platina and twelve of copper was fomewhat more eafily extended under the hammer than the foregoing, and proved fofter to the file. It ftuck a little in the teeth of the file, which the compofitions with a larger proportion of platina did not. 7. A mixture of one part of platina and twenty- five of copper was ftill a little paler coloured than pure copper, and confiderably harder and differ,, though very malleable. Upon increafing the copper a little farther, the mixture retained a degree of hard- nefs, and appeared of a fine rofe colour. 8. Upon weighing the foregoing compofitions hy- droftatically, the diminution of gravity was found more regular than in the mixtures with other metals, being conftantly greater in proportion as the quantity of platina was larger* Platina [ 672 ] Platina Platina i, Copper i Platina i, Copper 2 Platina 1, Copper 4 Platina 1, Copper j Platina 1, Copper 8 Platina 1, Copper 12 Platina i, Copper 25 Copper Remark. In the foregoing fufions, though in ge-> neral no flux was made ufe of, there was fcarce any fenfible lofs of weight, unlefs in N° 1, where the large proportion of platina required the fire to be railed to a violent degree. This feems owing, in good meafure, to the platina preventing the fcorifi- cation of the copper : For upon melting pure cop- per a great number of times, both with and with- out fluxes, there was conftantly a little lofs. A fmall proportion of platina appears to improve the hardnefs of copper, without injuring its colour, or, fo far as could be judged, its malleability. The mixtures with a large proportion of platina are dif- ficultly extended under the hammer when cold; and whilft red hot, fly in pieces. They all bear a good polilh, and do not tarnifh in the air fo much, or fo loon, as pure copper. Article 6. Platina with Iron. Iron, the laft of the metals in point of fufibility, was ieveral times attempted to be united with platina, in Specific Gravity. By Experiment. I 7. OOO By Calculation. Difference. II. 400 12. 915 1. yiy 10. 410 n- 573 1. 143 9. 908 10. 464 o. 556 9. 69 3 10. 191 0. 498 9. 300 9 • 73 S 0. 438 9. 2fl 9. 45-8 0. 207 8. 97 0 8. 830 9. 144 0. 174 [ 673 ] in its perfed malleable (late. But as the fluxes ne- ceflary for rendering forged iron fufible corroded the crucibles before the metal flowed thin enough to diflolve the platina, pure call iron was fubftituted. 1 . Cafl: iron and platina, of each three ounces, ex- pofed without addition to a ftrong fire, united into a thick fluid j which, on adding an ounce more of iron, flowed thin. The compound fuffered to cool in the crucible (which had become too foft from the heat to admit of its being poured out) was found, on breaking the veflfel, in one lump, not con- vex, the form, which the iron ufually aflumes, but of a very concave furface : The weight about one- fixtieth lefs than that of the metals employed. It proved exceflively hard, fo as not to be touched by the file ; and fo tough, as not to be broke by repeat- ed blows of a fledge-hammer, from which it received fome imprefiion. Heated red, it broke eafily, and looked internally of an uniform texture, compofed not of bright plates like the iron at firft, but of very dark-coloured grains. 2. One ounce of platina being injected upon four of cafl; iron beginning to melt, and the fire kept up ftrong, the whole came quickly into fufion, and on cooling, formed an equable compound, which like the former proved extremely hard, and feemed to ftretch a little under the great hammer without breaking. The colour was ftill very dark, though lefs fo than when the platina was in larger proportion. 3. One part of platina and twelve of iron melted without difficulty, and with little or no lofs. This compound was ftill much harder than the iron at firfl, and had a very confiderable degree of tough- 4 nefs. [ 674 ] oefs. Like the others, it could not be broke whilft cold, without extreme violence j but proved very brit- tle when heated red. 4. The foregoing compofitions, efpecially thofe in which the proportion of platina was large, received a fine polifli ; and did not ruft or tarnifh on being expofed to the air in a dry room for feveral months. 5. A compofition of one part of platina and four ©f iron was treated with fubftances, which produce notable alterations in pure iron. Surrounded with Reaumur’s fieel- making mixture (compofed of char- coal-powder, foot, wood-afhes, and common fait), and cemented in a clofe luted crucible for twelve hours, it gained an increafe of one-thirty-ninth its weight, yielded to the file more eafily than at firft, feemed to receive no additional hardnefs on being ignited and quenched in water, and difcovered none of the qualities of fleel. A piece broke off from the fame ingot, treated in the fame manner, with the powder for foftening caff iron (viz. bone-afh, with a fmall proportion of charcoal), was found in- creafed in weight about one-thirty-fourth, proved lefs hard to the file than at fir#, but manifeftly harder than the part cemented with the fteel- mak- ing mixture. Platina Platina 3, Iron 4 Platina 3, Iron 12 Platina 3, Iron 16 Platina 3, Iron 36 Iron ■Specific Gravity. By Experiment. 1 7. OOO By Calculation. Difference. s>- 917 IT. 3+3 I. 426 8. 700 5>- 080 O. 380 8. 202 8. 663 O. 46I 7- 7- 800 IOO 7- 862 0. 062 General [ 675 ] General Remarks. Platina melts with equal its weight of each of the- metals 5 with one more readily than with another. With fome it becomes fluid, if the proportion of the platina is not large, in a moderate fire 5 but a ftrong one is conftantly requifite for its perfedt folution. Compofitions of filver, copper, lead, with about one- third their weight of platina, which had flowed thin enough to run freely into the mould, and appeared to the eye perfedly mixed, on being digefted in aqua fortis till the menftruum ceafed to adl, left feveral grains of platina in their original form. Upon view- ing thefe with a microfcope, fome appeared to have fuffered no alteration 5 others exhibited an infinite number of minute bright globular protuberances, as if they had juft begun to melt. Platina hardens and ftiffens all the metals ; one more than another, lead the moft. In a moderate quantity it diminifhes, and in a large one deftroys, the toughnefs of all the malleable metals ; but com- municates fome degree of this quality to call iron. Tin bears much the lead, and gold and filver the greateft quantity, without the lofs of their malleabi- lity. A very fmall proportion of platina fcarce injures the colour of copper and gold : A larger renders both pale : A far lefs quantity has this effect upon copper than on gold. It debafes and darkens, in proportion to its quantity, the colour of the white metals j that of filver much the leaf!, and of lead the moft. It in good meafure preferves iron and copper from tar- nifhing in the air ; fcarce alters gold or filver in this reipedt j makes tin tarnifli loon, and lead exceeding quickly. 4 Q-2 PAPER 1 676 3 PAPER IV. Platina mixed with Semi-metals. 1. With Mercury. Read July 4, j. A N ounce of platina and fix ounces ‘754- il cf pUre quickfilver were rubbed together, with a little common fait and water, and a few drops of fpirit of fait, in an iron mortar. Af- ter fome hours trituration, the grains of platina be- came coated with the quickfilver, fo as to cohere in- to an imperfect amalgam. A part of the fluid quick- filver, poured off, and evaporated in an iron ladle, left a confiderable quantity of a dark-coloured pow- der, intermingled with bright fhining moleculae : A part ftrained through leather, left a fmaller propor- tion of a fimilar. powder. The platina, which had been thus attenuated by the mercury, fo as to pafs with it through the pores of leather, proved as refractory in the fire as at firft. Expofed to a very vehement heat, by itfelf, with bo- rax, with white glafs, it neither melted, or fuffered any fenfible alteration ; nor did it communicate any colour to either of the fluxes. 2. One part of platina and about four of lead were melted perfectly together ; and after the heat had fome what abated, poured gently into three times the quantity of quickfilver, heated fo as to fume. A blackifh powder was immediately thrown to the fur- face : This appeared to be chiefly platina. On grind- ing them together, a frefh powder gradually fepa- rated j which, being occafionally wafhed off, in ap- pearance [ 677 ] pearance greatly refembled the foregoing, but was found, on proper trials, to participate much more largely of the mercury and lead than of platina. The amalgam, which was of a very dull colour, on ex- pofure to the fire fwelled and leapt about, though the heat was fcarce fufficient t© evaporate the quick- filver. After conftant and rapid agitation with water, occafionally renewed, in an iron mill, for a week, it looked bright and uniform, and fuffered the mer- cury to exhale freely. A dark-coloured calx remain- ed, which proved, upon examination, to be platina, with a very little lead. Remark . Mercury is fuppofed to have a greater affinity with lead than any other metallic body, gold and filver excepted. In this experiment, it had a greater affinity with platina than with lead, fince it retained moft of the platina, after the lead, which was in much larger proportion, had been almoft in- tirely thrown out. The part of the platina, which the mercury rejedted at flrft, and that which it re- tained to the laft, did not appear diffimilar to one another, or different in quality from the platina em- ployed. 3. A mixture of one part of platina and two of gold, which proved very white and brittle, after be- ing repeatedly nealed, was cautioufly flattened into thin plates, and thrown red-hot into boiling quick- filver. On trituration and ablution with water, a powder feparated, copioufly at firft, and by degrees more fparingly. After the procefs had been continued about twenty-four hours, there was no farther fepara- tion, except of a very little blackifh matter, into which a part of the mercury is always changed in thefe kinds C 678 ] kinds of operations. The amalgam, which looked very bright, left, upon evaporation, a fpongy mafs, of a high colour, which being melted, and poured into an ingot, proved very foft, extremely malleable, and in all refpedts refembled the pure gold made ufe ©f, without the lead: appearance of platina. Remark. It is greatly to be wilhed, that this me- thod of purifying gold from platina may prove fuf- ficiently accurate to exactly determine the quantity of each in the mixt. The experiments hitherto made do not fufficiently clear up this point ; a great number are dill neceffiary before it can be fully alcer- tained. 2. With Bifmuth, Equal parts of platina and bifmuth, inje&ed into a mixture of black flux and common fait, previoufly brought into fulion, and urged with a quick fire, drongly excited by bellows, melted perfectly in a few minutes, and differed very little lofs. Without thefe precautions, the bifmuth could fcarce be made to take up above one-third its weight j great part of which, on an abatement of the heat, fubfided. Mixtures of platina with different proportions of bifmuth proved dll, like the bifmuth itfelf, extremely brittle : One was not remarkably more fo than an- other. To the file, they were fcarce harder than pure bifmuth. They broke of an irregular furface, compofed chiefly of driae, with fome plates. When newly broken, they looked bright and fparkling ; ex- cept the compofitions with a large proportion of pla- tina, which were of a dull greyifh colour, without any brightness. They all tarnifhed flowly in the air. C 679 ] air, to a dark yellowifh, purplifti or bluifh colour i Several acquired in part a fine deep blue, which has fuffered no change in above a twelve-month > fome parts of the maffes ftill remaining white as at firft, and others inclining to purple. 3. With Zinc. Upon an ounce of platina, covered with borax, and heated in a blaft furnace to a ftrong white heat, was injected an equal quantity of zinc. A violent deflagration arofe, and the platina was almoft in- stantly diflolved : The matter, immediately poured out, was found to have loft near half an ounce. Upon feveral times repeating this experiment with different proportions of the two metals, both in a quick fire, and in one more gradually raifed in a wind furnace, the zinc was conftantly found a powerful menftruum for platina, but fuffered great lofs from the heat requifite for rendering the mixture Sufficiently fluid. When fo much of the zinc had been diflipated, that the remainder amounted to no more than one-fourth of the platina, the compound ftill continued fluid enough to run freely into a long mould. Compositions of platina and zinc differed little in appearance from zinc itfelf ; except that where the quantity of platina was large, they were of a clofer texture, and a duller hue, with rather more of a bluifh caft. They did not tarnifh, or change their colour, on being expofed for feveral months to the air, in a dry room. They were harder to the file than the zinc at firft, and fell in pieces under the hammer l. [ 68° 3 hammer, without at all ftretching j which pure zinc does in a confiderable degree. 4. With Regulus of Antimony. Regulus of antimony, the moll difficultly fufible of the femi-metals, diffolved, in a ftrong fire, equal its weight of platina. The compound looked of a much duller colour than the regulus at firfi:; and broke of a clofe and uniform, though uneven, fur- face. It proved confiderably harder to the file, but not remarkably more or lefs brittle. On increafing the quantity of the regulus, the compound proved brighter, and of a leafy texture, little different from that of the pure regulus. Platina mixed with Compound Metals. 1. With Brafs. 1 . Equal parts of platina and brafs, covered with borax, and urged with a quick fire in a blaft furnace, melted perfedtly together, and fcarce fuffered any lofs. The mixt was of a greyiffi white colour, filed hard like bell-metal, broke from a blow of the ham- mer, without ftretching or receiving any impreffion, and flew afunder on endeavouring to cut it with a chiffel. Internally, it appeared of an uniform fine grain, a clofe texture, and a darker colour than on the outfide. It bore a very fine polifh, and did not tarniffi on being expofed to the air in a dry room for many months. 2. One part of platina and two of brafs, melted in a flow fire, loft about one-thirty-fixth. The in- got was of a duller colour than the foregoing, with a faint [ 681 ] a faint yellowifh caft : It filed fofter, broke lefs readily from the chiflel, but cracked and fell in pieces under the hammer. 3. One part of platina and four of brafs, covered as before with borax, and expofed to a quick fire, melted without lofs. This compound proved yel- lower than the preceding, filed fofter, bore to be cut fome depth with a chiflel before it broke, and re- ceived fome imprefiion from the hammer, firetching a little, but foon cracking in various directions. 4. Upon increafing the brafs to fix times the weight of the platina, the compound appeared yel- lower, though fiill very pale. It proved fofter to the file -y and received a greater imprefiion from the hammer, and a deeper one from the chiflel, before it broke. f. A mixture of one part of platina and twelve of brafs was confiderably paler, and much harder, than brafs. It broke from the chiflel ; and cracked, be- fore it had extended much, under the hammer. It bore a good polifh, and was lefs apt to tarnifh than brafs though in both refpeCts it fell fhort of the compofitions with larger proportions of platina. 2. With Copper and Tin. I. One hundred parts of platina, thirty-four of copper, and twelve of tin, covered with borax, be- came fluid in a ftrong fire, and fuffered no confider- able lofs. , The ingot proved extremely hard, fo as fcarce to be touched by the file ; and very brittle, breaking from a moderate blow, of a rough furface, and dull bell-metal colour. It bore a good polifh, and did not tarnifh in the air. 4 R 2. Platina [ 682 ] 2. Platina and copper, of each one ounce, and four ounces of tin, melted perfectly together, and without lofs. This compound filed freely and eafily, bore to be cut with a knife, but broke readily on the anvil, of an irregular furface, and dull whitifh co- lour. Polifiied, it looked like polifiied. iron. The fradture foon tarnifhed to a yellow ; the polifiied part grew dull, but retained its colour. \ 3. A mixture of platina and copper, of each one part, and eight of tin, proved fofter than the fore- going ; and bore to be fattened a little under the hammer. It broke of a very irregular furface, com- peted of a great number of bright white plates. The fra&ure foon tarnifhed ; the polifiied part retained its colour. Remark. It is obfervable, that in the firfi: of thefe experiments, platina was perfectly taken up by lets than half its weight of a mixture of copper and tin ; though it could fcarce be made to melt with lels than its own weight of either of them feparately, in a fire equally, or rather more, intenfe. The l'pecific gravity of thefe mixtures turned out, upon experiment, a little lefs than by calculation ; though the copper and tin, melted together without platina, formed a compound fpecifically heavier than even the copper by itfelf. The feveral mixtures with zinc, bifmuth, regulus of antimony and brafs, were likewife weighed hy- drofiatically, and found all fomewhat lighter than they ought to have been by calculation. As few hydrofiatical experiments feem to have been made upon zinc and bifmuth, it may be proper to mention, [ 683 ] that the gravity of pure zinc turned out 7. oyo, and that of bifmuth p. 733. Hitherto we have confidered the mifcibility of pla- tina with metallic bodies, and the alterations, which different proportions of it produce in their appear- ance and qualities : employing the neceffary pre- cautions for preventing the fcorification and diffipa- tion, which mod; of the metals fuffer in the fire ; and which fome remarkably promote in thofe, which by themfelves are more difficultly, or not at all, de- ftrudtible. We {hall now examine the relation of platina, in this refpeCt, to thofe metallic fubftances, which are the moft deftruCtive. 1. Cupellation and Scorijication of Lead with Platina. 1. A mixture of platina and lead was cupelled, under a muffle, in an affay-furnace. For fome time the procefs went on well ; the lead gradually chang- ing into fcorias, which were thrown of to the fides, and abforbed by the cupel, or diffipated in fume. In proportion as the lead worked off, the matter re- quired a fflronger fire to keep it fluid ; and at length, collecting into a dull flat lump, could no longer be made to flow in the greatefl: degree of heat, which the furnace was capable of giving. The lump broke very eafily, appeared of a dull grey colour both in- ternally and externally, and of a porous texture. It weighed about one-fifth more than the quantity of platina employed. 2. This experiment was many times repeated and varied : the lead attempted to be worked off on bone-afh, preffed into the bottoms of crucibles, fco- 4 R 2 rified [ 684 ] rifled in aflay-crucibles, by intenfe fires, in a blatt furnace, and blown off on tetts before the nofe of a bellows, with the fame event ; the platina not only perfectly refitting the power of lead, which by thefe operations deftroys every other known metallic body, except gold and filver, but likewife retaining and preventing the fcorification of a part of the lead it- felf. 3. In the hiftory of the fufion of platina with lead, it has been obferved, that this metal depofites in a gentle heat great part of the platina, which had been united with it by a ttrong one. As the part, which remained fufpended, might be prefumed to differ from that, which fubfided , a quantity of lead was decanted off from frefh parcels of platina, and both the decanted metal and the refiduum fubmitted to the preceding operations feparately. The event was ftill the fame j the matter becoming confiftent, when the lead had been worked off to a certain point, and refufing farther fcorification. 4. A mixture of platina and lead, which had been cupelled- in an affay-furnace as long as it could be kept fluid, was expofed in a crucible to a fire ve- hemently excited, by itfelf, with powdered charcoal, with black flux, borax, nitre, common fait. The matter neither melted, or buffered any confiderable alteration, becoming only fomewhat more porous j probably from a little of the lead having exfuded without the liquefaction of the mafs. The imme- diate contact of burning fuel, agitated by bellows, made fome of thefe mixtures flow, after they had refufed to melt in veffels acted upon by intenfe fires. Very little of the lead was diflipated by this means. f. Upon [ 68S 1 ?. Upon examining the cupelled matters hydro- jftatically, thofe, which appeared mod fpongy, were found nearly as ponderous as the crude platina. Among the more compadt, the gravity of one turned out 19.083 j of another 19. 13 6, and of a third 19.24,0. Remark. It appears from thefe experiments, that platina, like gold and filver, is intirely indeftrudti- ble by lead ; that probably the purer grains, or frag- ments, have fome heterogeneous admixtures, which are feparated in thefe operations ; and that, perfedtly pure, it is more ponderous than gold, fince, when mixed with a confiderable proportion of a lighter metal, it fell very little fhort of the gravity of pure gold. There is no reafon to fufpedt any increafe of its fpecific gravity from the mixture ; fince in all the compofitions with platina hitherto examined, there was conflantly a diminution of the fpecific gravity ; whether the proportion of the platina was large or fmall, the matter melted with a quick fire, or kept in fufion for many hours. 6. A mixture of one part of platina and three of gold was cupelled with lead, under a muffle. The matter drove well for a confiderable time j at length collected into a bright hemifpherical lump, which by degrees became flatter, dull, and rough. The button, on being weighed, was found to retain a confiderable portion of lead. The experiment being repeated with a mixture of one part of platina and fix of gold, fome part of the lead was ftill retained. The bead proved rounder and brighter than the foregoing, and of a good golden colour on the outfide : It broke eafily under the ham- mer, and appeared internally greyifh: Some of the fragments [ 686 ] fragments hung together by the outward golden coat. 7. Mixtures of platina and filver, fubmitted to cupellation, retained likewife a confiderable quantity of the lead. Thefe, in becoming confident, formed, not an hemifpherical bead, but a flat mafs, very rough, and brittle, and of a dull grey colour both internally and externally. 2. Cupellation and Scorijication of Bifmuth with Platina. Mixtures of platina with bifmuth, a metallic fub- dance, in fome refpedls more adlive than lead, were cupelled under a muffle, fcorified in afl'ay-crucibles, teded before the nofe of a bellows. In numerous repetitions of thefe experiments, the event was the fame, as when lead was made ufe of. The mixtures, which at fird flowed eafily, became lefs and lefs fuflble, in proportion as the bifmuth was driven off j and at length could not be kept fluid in an intenfe white heat, though they appeared, on weighing, to retain a conflderable proportion of the bifmuth. Nor could this femi-metal, any more than lead, be intirely feparated, by cupellation, from mixtures of platina with either gold or diver. Platina cupelled with bifmuth, differed little in appearance from that, which had been treated in the fame manner with lead. The button was more fpongy, and lpecidcally lighter. 3. Dijfation 0/Regulus of Antimony with Platina. A mixture of platina and regulus of antimony was melted, by a drong Are, in a lhallow wide crucible, and C 6*7 ] and the nofe of a bellows diredled obliquely upon the furface. The matter continued to flow, and fume copioufly, for fome hours ; at length became con- fident in an intenfe white heat, and fcarce emitted any more fumes, though flrongly blown on. The mafs, when grown cold, broke eafily, appeared very porous, blebby, of a dull grey colour, and weighed confiderably more than the quantity of platina em- ployed. Platina was likewife treated with crude antimony ; and the regulus, obtained from this mixture, difflated as the foregoing, with the fame event ; the platina not only refilling the antimonial femi-metal, but like- wife defending a part of it from the action of the fire and air, and refilling to melt, after a certain quantity had been difiipated. , 4. Deflagration of Zinc with Platina. A mixture of platina and zinc, expofed to a flrong fire, deflagrated, and appeared in violent agitation. This continued but a little time; the matter quickly became folid, and could no longer be made to flow; or the zinc, of which a confiderable proportion re- mained in it, to flame. The mafs was very brittle, dull-coloured, fpongy, and of no fpecific gravity. General Remarks. This extraordinary mineral, on which the mofl adlive fluxes, aflifted. by the mofl intenfe fires, have no effedl, melts perfectly with all the known metal- lic bodies ; unlefs arfenic, a fubflance impatient of a degree of heat fufficient to render itfelf fluid, is an exception. All the metals take up equal their own weight ; [ 688 ] weight ; fome metallic com their weight. Platina appears in general to have no remarkable affinity with one metal more than with another. Lead and iron, which do not mingle together, and of which the former will take up fome bodies from the latter, and the latter fome from the former, feem both indifferent to platina ; which, if combined with either, is not feparated by the other. Neverthelefs fome fubftances have greater or lefs degrees of affinity with platina than with other me- tallic bodies. Thus, from aqua regia, in certain cir- cumfiances, it throws out gold ; and is itfelf preci- pitated by the other metals, which diffolve in that menftruum. From quickfilver it throws out lead j and is itfelf thrown out by gold. The changes, which platina occafions in the per- fed metals, were examined in a former paper : Its effeds on the femi-metals are lefs remarkable. The principal are, that it increafes the hardnefs of zinc, and the antimonial femi-metal, but not of bifmuth ; and difpoles this lad to change its colour in the air, but not the others. Its effeds on the compound metals are fimilar to thole, which it produces on the fimple ones. Brafs it renders white, hard, brittle, fufceptible of a fine polifh, and not liable to tarnifh in the air, as it does the copper, and in fome degree the zinc, of which this metal is compofed. Mixtures of it with copper and tin are more apt to tarnifh than with copper only, and lefs than with tin only. All metallic fubllances, except gold, are exeded from platina by the fimple acids : Mercury is the only one pofitions more than twice [ 639 ] one feparable by fire. The platina remaining a fter the feparation of the metals, proves unfufible as at firft. Platina perfectly refills the deftrudtive power of lead and bifmuth, and the rapacious antimonial femi- metal; which laft has been hitherto efleemed the fevered; teft of gold, fo as to have received the appel- lation of balneum J'olius foils , the bath which gold alone can fuftain, and in which it is wafhed from all kinds of impurities. Since therefore platina mixed with gold is not dif- coverable by any of the operations by which that metal is ufually afiayed or refined, or by the hydro- flatic balance ; we hope that thefe papers, which contain part of the hiflory of this extraordinary and hitherto unknown mineral, and the methods of dif- tinguilhing any fophiftications of gold made by its means, which might otherwife have pafled undif- covered, will be candidly received by this illuftrious body, as a means of promoting that kind of know- lege, for which the Royal Society has been ever eminent, and peculiarly inftituted. LXXXVIL [ 69° 3 LXXXVII. An Explication of all the In - fcriptions in the Palmyrene Language and CharaBer hitherto publifU d. In five Let- ters from the Reverend Mr . John Swinton, M. A. of Chrift-Church, Oxford, and F. R. S. to the Reverend Thomas Birch, D. D. Secret . R. S. LETTER I. SIR, Chrift-Church, Oxford, May 30, 1754, Read June 20, £^Everal copies of the Ruins of Pal- I754' ?nyra reached Oxford, towards the clofe of December 1753 > one which was pur- chafed by the Reverend Mr. Godwyn, Fellow of Bal- liol College, a gentleman of great learning, and an eminent tutor of that houfe. At his invitation, I looked over with him the finished plates, exhibiting to our view thofe noble remains of antiquity, which gave both of us infinite pleafure and delight > though we then only call our eyes upon the infcriptions, and particularly thofe that are the fubjedt of this letter, in a curfory manner. In the beginning of January 1754, Mr. Godwyn informed me, that he had difcovered feveral letters of the Palmyrene alphabet, by the help of the Greek infcriptions correfponding with fome of thofe drawn in the Palmyrene character j and that he could even decipher a few words in feveral of the latter infcrip- tions. At the fame time, he defired me to apply my- (elf to the interpretation of thofe infcriptions, and the difcovery I F bilos. Trans . Vo/. XLVJIT. TAIL XXIV. From Mr. Dawkins's f/ate. of PALMYRENE Injcriftions . USB . The Arabic fiaurcs added to the Roman numeral* refer to tne fol/otvuty Greejilnfcri/iti'on s ■ TV’S ■ ' I 8 ■ -v 9 xjiirbmJ't3Vsvb-n nx ^ 9 76 7 6 ^'?* ’XMfl f$m ZJSX2X >Z3 IvJZ) y / J’lC)J,>X3{)'SK'W'ZXJ1Sz'J,X to'lb ’3 S' ;v^ 1t> XXX'W'l'lH'-l tn xjy)jy) V.n ux,’ 3 ///,-p 33 y a/£. ^ ’So V3 ? 2y 9 o X e/APJ^ * > ? /> 6g< MlF^.xy Sr xi •(in SuRhi Sr?(j Sr 'tsisiciijj- y jvh'hxx j’ ycjy • o ////SMl' *• //// 33 ~~?7 SJ tf Vn. w r y^JVJi oro 1 v y j t <03 S/jy t>x?KX>xs. x n’>6bf3iy-M)'(n j^'hkx 9 * »n?^J *093'77??^Sf3r(9^r £0/f33 3—Z> y FJ VI /*. jf *tf 'll n y>irtjy y Vd *??rt£r tj? \y J/ X j~j ? i/y k xjv J- n ''IK-vj V3t>?bj-j id>xx!vx t>?ni?/>/y ha y 'll ^xx-rt xx y 23 6X6 yn y mk h. j>h tnX h Ffd X >mzrx Xj-y >b \y\^'iV t3V,x?>33 "TO 7 -sex vn /^. y>y zx x yrh x > >7x57 xo 9j y * .A 7 '^.7 7 ' 7 J7> rY 9) A7 XJ7> 9m 9 te >\ xjv '/j yjy x 2*9 ? _7 x So >3 > jtj >? x y h/j'X't'J-iy X' x &////y 333 ^ V Y J £- n •JF}yiXxxyt6KFi{iy(jxn t>x >^Sr 'its bi/3 o(r VjXxixy^ivnyxltf y, t>V3riX >j ijxxnxuwvxv^ jjj 3 — 7=9041^ nr O, ^ X~^>///J^J te^X^ Xr< x a • • J7 Kj r~3j~Ggi Tbilos ■ Trans . Vol. XLVIII .TAB .XXV. From _Mr. Taw /a ns's p/a/ S3 633 A >y?’n 'J7 XK6 X JL7 XlKXfySJ'X 3x k?> y?>-n 63 y y'bxix XU xt^xxxs^ yh x xj XMhrt x sLixx'txyby/xt/xjv ix JX,7. X3?6 3X J/ 'i 63b 7J~a y?Y?J/ ? 'J~j63y Jrb^'JXJ 'ToX 7i 6 3/ A7 X 1X16J3 7 ^ * S X S7 7t> >l0\?'R xii r VxtbXJ $ 9 £• \_7 V(YAj9yb>/AI A Y _>(/ Zj>n *XLLj ^ r~3 x JXXY *JX Y//Y33 ~~> //// £ 3 U *JJX X * _7X X/g. X31 63 X J7 £y67J3X?7?J>31 639 ^ y oxj XT.' jjy>t>?xy>y?i b ? >J; ^-7 ///y-p J33 -p J - Jblifnrfe /'cu/yi I*bilos . Trans ■ Vol- XJL/V1U.TAB .XXVT. .From Mr. Dawkins's GREEK I nj~cryi tion s . f ^9 1 I rANHtAUONAUjJNlONrt nUdKOAOMhK<:NIAMmOCAOY TOY APICCCOY CY MO HI A PYH NO! CYNANABAN T CCMCTA 'TOY 6AAP0P0I ATIO (pOPAOOYK€ OAATAC lAAOCTEJMHC KAI 6Y YA PI CTCIAC CNCKCN tTOYCTNY MHNOCJANA • • • VI AI/YYI CTCO/tier/CTCJKAienHKOUBbJAANOCZeNOBlOY TOYAIPANOYTOYMOKIMOYTOYMAQQA eniAACAHTH c A/P eeei ccyKAC n hth cy n qiapibuaoytoy eeo ytombcj- £2 IAI COMA NCGHKtNCTOYCAOY M HMO CY n CPU L P6TAI0YK VII AAAP6 6/MAA6TAMHP0YT0Y AAHAAHTOY OYABAAAAQOY TOYCYM^AfOYCOPAIYOCAIPANOY AN HP AY TH CAANHAAHCPNCKPA/ MHNOt AYCTPOTOY bYETOYC VIII A.IIYYKTCUKAI • 7THKOUJIIOYAYP- A/T/7TA TPOCOKA! AMtHO YZHAIOBI OYTOYAKOITAOY ' \ VON AY CTPAT PH ON XII 0YA10N C CA tY CttlAA CJt MAPTY TC/JUHC AMiN PATfCTH ROY AHA MY PI AC TCIMHCtNCKtNCTOYC S / (j>YP ePRCPCTA/ CO IOYAIO N AYPHAIONZCRt/AAN JJ.OKIJJOYTOYT.CRt I A OY ACeuPOYGAlAAO/CYNAYTU KATeAOONTeCClCOAOrCCl A aacnhopo/anccthcanapc CAAITAAY TO / CTC/JJHtYAP / N z.A A/AI KCOTOY HNp CTOYC XIII H ROY A OYA/O N AY P HA /O Ad ON JUAAH PYfJYtn OPON ANAKOMK (Y NO A I AN HPO/KACr / A/(PAI TC/JHHC YAP IN C TO YC Q J (p J. 'Myndtf cu/^i. * . i • : < • ■ O'. • . i / . ■ ■ Hf Nv 'MfW - . /> 6g/ . JPbitcs .1'i'cins -VoC. XITVlLL . TAB .XXTV3H . JFrom J\fr. D a/u /tins /ate o/' GHEE K Infcrifitions . XIV • VP/A/OA/OYOPOJAHM mniKON KA! BOYAtYTHN nAAMYPHNONQHAA KABOC APCATO N (J)l . . . . e/M-HCXAP! N €70 VC 6 ^ XV ctriTuz TON K PA noNCers h NAP/ONKAl ,HN IOYA/OCAYP OCU nY/JLOCJjL MAAU) KA/VNACCOY OKPAT! C TO CTON (piAONKAIPPO CT ATHNTJIMHCtNt KtN tTOYCZO q)JUHN6l}ANAIKU XVL CerrT oyopujahn TONKPA TlCTONtniTPO HONCCBACTOYA OYK H NAP/ON KAIAPTAneTHN IOYA IOCAYPHAIOC (tHTIJUIOCIALHCin niK0CC€/IT/jUI0YAA6 1ANAP0YT0YHP0JA0Y Afl OCT PA Tl CUN TON (pi AONKAinPOCTATH N Te/MHCeNtKtNeTOYC HOpMHNeiJANAIKW XVII cenr/jx/ONo yopuahn TONKPA TK TO/ven/ TPO nONCtfiACTOY AOY KH NAP/ONKA/APT A T1CTHN IOTA 10 CA YPHAIOCCA A AU1C KACUANOYTOYA •’ SNAIOY inn t YC PUM MON TONQ/AOM KAinPOCTATHNe TO YCHOf MHNtqANAlKU XVIII H BOY JHO C CtriTIJ TONKPA T/CTONC e BACTOY AOYKHN 60A0THN THCMH Nt/ACKAlA NAK OM.IC CC YNOA/AC' 1 5 IAI UN KA IA4APTYPH OP NT A YflOT CON APY tM.17 OPUN KAI AAMTIPLJCCTPATHTHCANTAKAI atopanomhcanta thcaythc MHTPOKOACJNeiACKAinAerCTA OIKOeeNANAALJCANTAKA/APtCAN T AT UTS A YT HB OYAHKAITCJAHJIU KAI NYNSlAAJU.nPCjCLYM.nOC/AP YONTCONTOY A IOCBH AO Y I Sr ■UN TeiMNCSNCKCN J-AN J.Myivtc- Jcitl/i ■ ( •6/777 /’• op/. XIX Philos . Trans. Vo l XEVE. Fro/nMr. Darv/uns's'Q. . b/ate. of GREEK Infer if lions . tn\T?on oykhnapion 10 YA /OCA YT H 0 15 A A 0 C • AO Y TOY HTOCl-C A AM HP OTA THCKOAUINUAC' OAK: A Y TO Y ty I AON TLUlHLtMLKtN tTOYt- ■ ' JMHNtl A ntJUAlU XXIV ctm- yaio/v ton no a - ■ r hn KAT ■ • ■ C T HT H N H n 0 AIL XX OA H MO C AAA AH NTON KAI A TPlPPAN / A P A 1 0 Y T 0 Y PA A 10 YTPAMMA T6 A P t A/ O M £ A/ O A/TO At YTt PO A/ en/AHM ■ ■ 0tOY A API AA/OYA AA/M MAPAPACXO TA Z 6N 0 ICTS KAtPO At/TA • XXI H/30YA HK A / OA HM 003 A P 6/ XCI A/ AMP/C-MCOY rOYJAP/O (JA€0 YC KAI MO Kf MO NY 10 A! AY TOY LYtCRUC KAKflA 0 17A TP/ A A C TUJU.H CX API N XXII AA A A I X ON NEC A TOY K UJ AAA TO YtPIKAAO YMtA/OYA CA COYtyYRHCXOMA P H N Id N P A A MY PH HUN 0 AHAAOCtYN 0/A C CN6KA XXV lOYA/OClOYAlANOCtYLUi HCKAl^lA OP ATP 1C K.A iTETil MHAA ENOCY P OTCJN d t! COT ATLUN A • - tokpatoplontcta pthc tpa to a ccn apx Ct/AHL APtACTUMHC ■ -tKe/v eroYc XXVI TOAANHM /QNTOYTA(p6UA/OC6.K TlCiNtZIAIldN cen t/m/ocoaa/a/aoocoaamppotatoccya/ KAHTIKOCAIPANOYOYAOAAA A 00 Y TO YNA CCU PO Y AYTL0T6KAIY 10/ CAYTOYKA/Y ICJA/Ol C6/CT 0 P AN T LA eCA ICON /ONTeijUHA/ XXIII r £.H A AT / O N O Y 6 A A H / O N /TPt/CK ONMAKPtl NONTON ATNONKAI A IRA I O NCUTHP A MANNOCOKAI/H 6Z/I 13 f3 A N- oa IUX.HT on CYtP rer H N XXVII RESOfUHSSYlE T PROP AG A TORES&EN ERISHVMANI DDNUDIOCLE / TANVS S//MP/M PPETCONSTANT/VSETM AY/M lA/VVSA/OB/i.CAES.CASTPAFEL/CITEPCOA/D/DERVNT SOSS/ANOH/EROCL/TE V.PRAES.PROY/HUAEDMM.O.EORVM . • A'PO'- FMlv r jYans- Vo/ ■ XLVHI. TAB .XXVEI . JPromMr. Datvkins sTL-f/oYo of GRE E K Irtfcrif Uom . XIV • YniAlO NOYOPUJAHN inniKONKAI ft 0/At YT HN rTAAM/PHNONQMAA KAfiOC APCATO N (f)l . . . . t UIHC/AP! N erovc 6

MHNei}ANAIKLy XVII c tn tim. ion o yopuahn TONKPA TIC TO NTH I TPO HONCtHACTOY AOY KH N AP IONKAI APT AI7CTHN I0YA/0 CA YPHMOCCA A AWC KACUANOYTOY * ‘ ' tNAIOV inn e yc pum aicjntonq/aok KA/nPOCTATHNt TO YCHOf MHNtgANA/KU XVIII H BOY JUOt UPTU TONKPA T/QTONC O3ACT0Y AOYKHN tOAOTHN THCMH A/tlACKAlA NAKOMIC CCYNOA/AC' t:UAIUNKAlM.APTYPHOtNTA YTJOT tONAPYtMJJ OP UN KAI AAM.PPUCCTPA THTH C AN TA KAI ATOPANOMHCANTA THCAYTHC MHTPOKOACJNtlACKAiriAtlCTA OIKOQtN AN A ACJC ANT AKA! APtC AN T AT HT£ A YTH 0 OYAHKAITCJAHJIGJ KAI NY N t! A AM.n PCJCLY JAP OC! AP YONTCON TOY AlOCSH AOY Itr ■UN TtlMHUNtKtN J-AN Jcatyi • fhilos . Trans. Vo 7. XL. VIII . TAB .XXX. Palmyrene 7nfcryrttut>/i/}yd l>j, Gruter, Sp on. and Reland. ^ JJVM.I. Ta/ieu f’urm TTZoti/Taurond L'AntupExpliq . y/. C LXX I X . Tom . H . Ar A [ BCUACJO K AI UAAAXBH ACD n AT PCX ) OK 6C0 (C KAITOC 1 r NON APrYPOYNC YMnANTHCOZJUUJANeeHKO TAYP-HAIMOCAN TlOXOYAAPIANOCnAAHY PHNOCOCUN 1 XllDNYflCP CCJUTH PIACAfTOYKAIKYPBlOYKAlITCKNUNCTOYCZ M WNOCIKPIIIOY r-V J )~pA 3l-1W>H'\a3r3LUpM^>4}i\\A'-'-riv-q3Zl JNNJ NVM. n . TtiAen font/le/aiuO. Palaeft .Uluft. Tom.R.^a^. 526. N. / . •d'l t vcb y^b gf +133 4 Trom a 7?7f. oft/ie 7td. 777/!' H'S/Sit^acr. ns/u> cefued V^ionvfAe. Stone m / 6g /. ah Men ztou KfPAKNio/ vnep cujth piac tpa -aapianoy C€B TOV KYPIOr AFAOANrfAOC APIAHNOC T HC AfKATlOAFOC * THN KAMAPAN N ANCOHKfN f TO YC f MY MHNOC AaJOY JNVM.IH -I1 ^ px —* 1 K. \ X. fn i From d/oon's Mifceil. crudit:. antiq . fay.j. N. 2 . SOLI SANCT1SSIMO. SACRVM TI. CLAVD1VS FELIX ET CLAVD1A HELP) S ET TI CLAVD1V5 ALVPVS F1L.EORVM VOTVM SOLVERVNT L1BE/V3MER1TO CALB1ENSES DE COH.111. [ 69 1 ] difcovery of the Palmyrene alphabet. This, I told him, I could not then do ; being engaged in a work of another nature, which I was obliged to difpatch with all the expedition poffible. However, I allured him, that I would fpend now-and-then an hour or two upon thofe infcriptions, when tired with working, and try what I could make of them. Having therefore borrowed a copy of the Ruins of Palmyra , on Sa- turday, January 12, 17^4, I began, about five o’clock in the afternoon, to compare the i6th, 17th, and 19th Greek infcriptions with the 8th, 9th, and 10th Palmy- rene, with all the attention I was capable of ; and, in lefs than two hours time, did not only find out twenty letters of the Palmyrene alphabet, but likewife could in- terpret, to my own fatisfadtion, the three laft-mention- ed infcriptions. Between feven and eight o’clock, Mr. Godwyn fent me feveral words belonging to fome of the other infcriptions, in the Hebrew charadteF, the fignifications of which he had, as he apprehended, difcovered, and the powers of eighteen different Pal- myrene letters, as they appeared to him, in order to facilitate my inquiries. ’Tis worthy obfervation, that he affigned all thefe letters the fame powers and places in the alphabet I had done; which con- firmed me in my opinion, that I could not be very remote from truth. The form of the element Koph appeared to me at firft to reprefent Hheth ; but the word O’pN. AKIM, POSVIT, EREXIT, &c. foon afterwards gave me fufficiently to underftand, that I was miftaken. We likewife both found, that this charadter fometimes occupied' the place of Mem ; though fcarce the leaft affinity is to be obferved be- tween the forms of Koph and Mem, either in the Phoenician or the Chaldee alphabet. 4, S 2 - The [ 692 ] The unexpected fuccefs, I had met with, excited me afterwards to examine the letters and words of .feveral other Palmyrene infcriptions, even fome of thofe, which had no Greek ones to anfwer them. The latter however, for fome time, not a little embar- raffed me 3 as I found the fpirit and genius of them very different from thofe of the others 3 though, with pleafure, I obferved, that in the moft effential points the three completed; of them agreed. But, notwith- ftanding this, before the clofe of Thurfday, Ja- nuary 17, 175*4, I had difcovered twenty- one letters of the Palmyrene alphabet 3 and could, as I imagined, tranflate into Latin and Englifh feven of the thirteen infcriptions drawn in the Palmyrene character, three of which had no correfpondent Greek infcrip- tions. In fine, before the end of February 175*4,, I thought myfelf able to explain all the thirteen in- fcriptions, except the twelfth, which had feveral of its letters defaced 3 though I foon found out the date it bore, which indeed was vifible enough, as well as perceived the true turn and nature of it. I iikewife had made myfelf fully acquainted with the forms and powers of all the Palmyrene letters, except thofe of Tzade 5 which, if I am not greatly miftaken, I have fince certainly difcovered. To the preced- ing fhort account of the gradual progrefs made in the fuppofed interpretation of thefe infcriptions, from the beginning to the end of it, I fhali beg leave to fub- join here the Palmyrene alphabet, with fome ligatures of the letters. After which will follow a Latin and’ Englifh verfion of fix Palmyrene infcriptions, not a little illuftrated by the Greek ones anfwering to them; and of four of thofe, that have no correfpondent Greek infcriptions, To which I fhali add a few curfory re- marks. [ 693 ] marks, and the particular days on which the expli- cations of the infcriptions were fuppofed to have been hit upon ; that the true dates of thefe explica- tions (if fuch the learned gentlemen of the Royal- Society fhould allow them to be), may, with the ut- - moil precifion, be afcertained. Ay- <*y. T^TALMYllE^E Alfifudet com/uxred unf/l ^ HEBREW. Palmvr. Hebr. Palmy r. Hebr. Mlefth Teamed [) b\) & Zed MJJZJ dfenz -ID HD Otmel /i 7 U_-< JVun -E Zalclh'XX'X 7 V<£ -- .1 S&mech 47 )j Tb'dU .to Me X'X K . n Jfn yy-3y7v.... .V Vaie 7 \7 1 Fe 3 W .to*] Zc/Z/t / r Tzade/ V 3*? M?u*t/i to KepJi SOM1 rJJJ P ( 71J7M V Tet7i 6... fc> llef7i ...to J '<* ) > A'-') .s Sc7?zzi Sin W Zafi/v r tT33 - ^*7 T/iaiz J"»> J1.. -to Ligatvre s of the Palmyrene Zettei-s . ip.Xn 2D.3»y 7d.x^ P.nS )to.arj tfp.Yrj MX/ tott.V3 M.J'i to^M In Tc rapt ion [ 694 3 Infcription VIII. See IS late xxv, Number viii.' Dibbaip mi dvdbsd d^v D»p« NB±n>sfc sijpi Oipsn NT DVD25SD D’VllK SEPTIMIVM VORODEN EXCELLENTISSIMVM PROC V RATOREM DVCENARIVM ET ARGAPETAM POSVIT IVLIVS AVRELIVS SEPTIMIVS IADA HIP- PICVS ::::::::: IVLIVS AVRELIVS SEPTIMIVS IADA HIPPICVS : : : : PLACED SEPTIMIVS VORODES, THE MOST EXCEL- LENT PROCVRATOR DVCENARIUS AND ARGA- PETA, here. January 12th, 1754. Infcription IX. See ^Plate xxv, Number ix. DTMDfiTip mi DWDBSD O’1?!’ tD’pN NEDJHNl JOjpl : : : : : "13 JO’Dp 12 NoW : SEPTIMIVM VORODEN EXCELLENTISSIMVM PROCVRATOREM DVCENARIVM ET ARGAPETAM POSVIT IVLIVS AVRELIVS SALMA FILIVS CASSI- ANI FILII :::::::: IVLIVS AVRELIVS SALMA, THE SON OF CASSI- ANVS, THE SON PLACED SEPTIMIVS VO- RODES, THE MOST EXCELLENT PROCVRATOR DVCENARIVS AND ARGAPETA, here. January 12th, 1754. ? Infcription 1 69s ] Infcription X. See Plate xxv, Number x. nmsn DBDcnp rrrn tobsd xy'b £j*pN n Nrwpn nom1? N’j^p h arrasa DY3 IT] w SEPTIMIVS VORODES EXCELLENTISSIMVS PRO- CVRATOR DVCENARIVS QVEM POSVIT AMICI- TIAS NOiVIINE IVLIVS AVRELIVS NABIBAL FILIVS SAODOJDiE ( vel SAODVTI) DVCTOR EXERCITUS COLONIZE HONORIS CAVSA ANNO DLXXIV MENSE APELL^O. SEPTIMIVS VORODES, THE MOST EXCELLENT PROCVRATOR DVCENARIVS, WHOM IVLIVS AV- RELIVS NABIBAL, THE SON OF SAODVTVS, GE- NERAL OF THE COLONY’S FORCES, ON ACCOVNT OF FRIENDSHIP, PLACED here, IN ORDER TO DO HIM HONOVR, IN THE YEAR DLXXIV, and THE MONTH APELLiEVS. January 12th, 1754. Remarks on thefe Inferiptions, 1. They feem to have appertained originally, tho’ probably all of them were infcribed either on pillars or pedeftals, to three ftatues of SEPTIMIVS VO- RODES, and to have applied to thofe flatues the name of the perfon they reprefented. This is fo clear from the ftile of the infcriptions themfeives., that I fhall infill no farther upon it here.. 2, The t 696 ] 2. The two jfirft of them are imperfect, the latter part of both having been apparently defaced. 3. The word NABIBAL, which is undoubtedly the true reading, as I have reftored it here, that has been partly deformed and partly effaced by time, or elfe not exactly taken, in the third line of the tenth infcription, may be recovered by the affiftance of the Greek one anfwering to it. 4. I have taken the liberty to fuppofe the letter wanting in the beginning of the laft word in the fourth line of that infcription to be Lamed ; which fuppo- fition the oriental critics will perhaps allow to be not very remote from truth. For, MOTl1?, may either be expreffed in Latin AMICITLE NOMINE, PRO AMICITIA, or (as Lamed , according to Schindler, Lex. Pent. p. 914, is fometimes an article of the accufative cafe) AMICVM SVVM ; any .of which expreffions will come near enough to TON EAT- TOT 4>IAON, in the correfpondent Greek one, and be perfedly confonant to the tenor of both inferiptions. f . The dialect, in which thefe Palmyrene inferip- tions are written, is moft certainly the Syriac. This is rendered inconteftable by the words O’pN, SUR- GERE FECIT, POSUIT, EREXIT, STATUIT; 13, FILIUS ; Nip’1?, HONORIS CAUSA ; norm or NDm*?, PRO AMICITIA; which manifeftly be- long to that dialed:. 6. But, notwithftanding this, feveral of the words • they exhibit, fuch as KPAT1CTOC, EniTPOHA, ACTPATHTA, DVCENARA, and COLONIA, are indifputably of Greek and Latin extradion. 7. In the third line of the tenth infcription, the word AVRELI VS wants the letter R; and in the fourth, the word ACTPATHFA the letter T. That this is an un- doubted [ 697 ] 1 doubted truth, we may fairly infer from the third line of the eighth infcription, and the lecond of the fourth ; where both thefe words drawn out at length, after the oriental manner, evidently occur. 8. The true reading of the word AlTAnETHN, in the fixteenth and feventeenth Greek infcriptions, which neither Dr. Halley, Dr. Bernard, Dr. Smith, nor1 Mr. Seller could afcertain, is clearly difcovered by the word [a) ARGABETA, in the fecondlineof the eighth, as well as of the ninth, Palmyrene infcrip- tion j both of which are here exhibited to our view. 5>. The tenth infcription, the lateft of thofe whofe dates have been prefer ved, did not precede the 574th year of the asra of Seleucus, nearly coincident with the 263d of Christ ; having been drawn out in the month Apellceus , or December , that year. This therefore will fix the date, that the correfpondent Greek infcription originally bore ; and confequently render that infcription fomething more complete, than it was before. jo. It appears from thefe infcriptions, that the let- ter Van was fometimes pronounced by the Palmy- renes, in the third century after Christ, like O, and at other times like OV or V ; as alfo that they fome- (a) It Teems to appear from the word APfABI A, which in Le® denotes a fort of hamper , ufed by the cavalry chiefly for the carriage of water, that API'AIIETHC, AITABETHC, or ARGABETA, fignified an officer at Tadmor, whofe province it was to fupply the troops with water, in order to fupport them in their march over the vaft defarts furrounding that place. Nor can it be doubted, but fuch an officer muft have been extremely neceflary in a city diftin • guifhed from all others by fo remarkable a fituation. Vid. Leonis Imperat. TaBic. Cap. xiii. S. 11. Filip. Pigafetta, in annotat. ad Leon. ibid. Mauric. Lib. vii. p. 143. Upfaliae, 1664* Vid. etiam Carol. Du Frefn. GloJJar . ad Scriptor. med. & infim. Gnecitat: in voc. APrABlA. 4 T times ' [ 698 ] times aligned to their Beth the power of the Greek Pi: of which other examples will likewife here- after be produced. Infcription I. See Plate xxiv, Number r. iw ipzb Nip ."itn ttnbyb jbyX 12 N y)±> | 7:npa xynx D2Q mu i pu *]D"f jw NOMINI BENEDICTO TIMOR IN SECVLVM IVL. AVR. PRO PATRE NOSTRO (vel PRO PATRE) QVI ET FILIVS AlLJE (AILI vel ALLI) 2EN0BII ACOBAil (ACOBENSIS vel ACABENSIS) dedicavit MENSIS TEBETH DIE IV ANNO DXLIV. TO THE BLESSED NAME BE FEAR FOR EVER : IVL. AVR. dedicated this ON OVR (or HIS) FATHER’S ACCOVNT, WHO WAS THE SON OF AILA ZE- NOBIVS OF ACOBA, (or ACABA) THE FOVRTH DAY OF THE MONTH TEBETH, IN THE YEAR DXLIV. January 15th, 1754. Infcription II. See Plate xxiv. Number ir. jorrn mcbyb IW by o&n "O 12 bv ip *rno mu nm tm 9nvn jw NOMINI [ 699 ] NOMINI BENEDICTO IN SECVLVM BONO ET MISERICORDI TIMOR COR. IVL. FILIVS ZABDI- BOLI FILII MILCOMI OB SVAM ET FRATRIS EIVS- SALYTEM dedicavitMENSE TISRI ANNO DXXX1II. TO THE BLESSED NAME, FOR EVER GOOD AND MERCIFVL, BE FEAR; COR. IVL. THE SON OF ZABDIBOL, THE SON OF MILCOM, dedicated this FOR HIS OWN HEALTH or SAFETY, AND THAT OF HIS BROTHER, IN THE MONTH TISRI, and THE YEAR DXXXIII. January 17th, 1754. Infcription XIII. See Plate xxv, Number xirr. 13 Niro 13 \cbv i3v nbW no sr 7131? MU3 nth wn Sy 0313 n rn n ton noir ni’3 n : : : NOMINI BENEDICTO IN SECVLVM timor PA- RAV1T SALMON FILIVS NASAS FILII HIZjE (vel CHITZ^E) VTIQVE PROPTER SVAM ET LIBERO- RVM El VS SALVTEM MENSE NISAN ANNO CCCCXLVII. TO THE BLESSED NAME FOR EVER be fear: SALMON THE SON OF NASA, THE SON OF HIZA, (or CHITZA) PREPARED (or DEDICATED) this ON ACCOVNT OF HIS OWN HEALTH or SAFETY, AND THAT OF HIS CHILDREN, IN THE MONTH NISAN, and THE YEAR CCCCXLVII. January 17th, 1754. Remarks on thefe Infcriptions. 1. The ftones that exhibit then! feem to have belonged to altars dedicated to Jupiter, the chief ot 4 T a the [ ?oo ] the gods, or rather to the Supreme Deity, either in confequence of vows formerly made, on account of recoveries from dangerous fits of ficknefs -} or for the future health, fafety, and prefervation of the perform therein mentioned. This fufficiently appears, not only from the Greek infcription, which in fome meafure expreffes the fenfe of the hi ft of them, but likewile from the tenor of them all. Nor can any thing be more clear and explicit, than the terms of which they are compofed. 2. The aforefaid Greek infcription only informs us, that J VLIVS AVRELIVS, therein alfo mentioned, dedicated an altar, on his father’s account, after he had prayed to the deity, for whom that altar was defigned. But the Palmyrene one anfwering to it has preferved the very form of this fhort prayer, or ejaculation ; which pretty nearly correfponds with that ufed by the prophet Daniel, in chap. ii. ver. 20. as well as a very noted one of the Rabbins. Nor is it altogether remote from a (a) fcriptural expreffion, that now and then occurs. Nay, that the antient Syrians, or rather the Syrian Jews, applied the word HOI?. NAME, to GOD, or the Supreme Being, we learn from fome \b) good authors. This opens a large field for re- flections, and fuggefts to us feveral remarkable par- ticulars relating to the religion, or rather religions, that prevailed at Tadmor, about the middle of the third century. 3. Thofe particulars are likewife very clearly pointed out to us by the fecond Palmyrene infcrip- tion, which contains a fort of fhort prayer, or eja- (a) Val. Schind. Lex. Pcntaglot. p. 247 — 250, 1886, &c\ (b) Edm. Cartel. Lex. Hept. p. 3772. dilation, [ 7°x ] dilation, not unlike one in the beginning of the (a) Liturgy of the Syrian "Jacobite Cbrijiians , a La- tin veriion of which has been publifhed by M. Re- naudot. The thirteenth Palmyrene infcription gives us to underftand, that the fame religion, or religions, had been introduced at Tadmor, loon after the be- ginning of the fecond century. 4. As a fimilar (b) infcription Rill remains, or was very lately to be feen, near the well, or current of hot fulphureous waters, which undoubtedly con- Rituted in antient times one of the hot fulphureous baths of Tadmor, it feems not improbable, that the waters of thofe baths were medicinal ; and that by bathing thcmfelves therein, or drinking them, the Palmyrenes were frequently cured of various diRem- pers and indifpofitions. This, 1 fay, appears at leaR not improbable, from the matter and Rtuation of that infcription, in conjunction with thofe which I have here endeavoured to explain, and which had in all likelihood at RrR either the fame or a fimilar Rtuation. So that thefe inlcriptions, every thing con- fidered, may be deemed mutually to fupport and illuRrate one another. y. From the word LABVNA, NJD* 1?. P RO PA- TRE NOSTRO, in the third line of the RrR in- fcription, we may infer, that the fecond letter Mleph was either inadvertently omitted by the infcriber, or virtually contained in the RrR letter Lamed , or Lo- mad . For LABVNA muR be rendered into Latin PRO PATRE NOSTRO, or fimply PRO PA- a) Eufeb. Renaud. Liturgiar. Oriental. Collett. Pom. ii. p. 2„ Parifiis, 1716. . , (b) Edw. Bernard. Monument. P almyren. p. 4- Philojoph. Tranfatt. Vol. xix5 N. 217, p. 109- 1 TV ii. > C 7°2 ] TRE ; the Syrians (a) and Arabs fometimes apply- ing it in that fenfe as a title, or mark of didindtion, to the Jacobite patriarchs, and probably others, as we learn from Al Makin. Nay, it feems as natural to fuppofe, that the Syrians ufed the word ABVNA promifcuoufly for OVR FATHER, and FATHER; as that ABA, or ABBA, (hould have been admitted by them in two fnnilar fign ideations. Nor can the words ANTI nATPOE, in the correfpondent Greek inferip- tion, pofhbly anfwer to any other word, in that I am conlidering, than LABVNA. This will fugged: to us one or two curious oblervations, which I have not time at prefent fo much as to touch upon. 6. The Syriac ZENOBIA, is exprefled by the Greek ZHNOEIOT; and confequcntly mull be looked upon as a mafeuline proper name. But whether the fame letters, amongd the Palmyrenes, formed the proper name of Zcnobia , the famous queen or emprefs of that nation, I cannot yet take upon me to determine. 7. ACOBA, or ACABA, the city, as it diould feem, to which ZENOBIVS, mentioned in the fird inferip- tion,did originally belong, might poffiblyhave been the capital of Acabene , a province or didridt of Mefopo- tamia,a region feparated from Palmyrene by the Eu- phrates. This didridt is placed by Ptolemy at no great didance from the Tigris ; and its capital might have been called by the Palmyrene Greeks, in the third century, AKOI1A. But that this was really {a) Val. Schind. Lex. Pentaglot. p. 8. Geor. Elmacin. HijK Saracen, p. 144, 145, 151, 152, & alib. pafs. the 1 [ 7°3 } the town the infcriber had in view, I muft not pre- fume pofitively to affirm. 8. From the firft: of thele Palmyrene inferiptions, if the fixth line of it be exactly copied, and the Greek one anfwering to it, we may fairly collect, that the fourth day of the month Tebeth was coin- cident with the twenty-fourth of Aydynceus , the Ma- cedonian month ; and confequently that thofe two months were not precifely the fame, as we find inti- mated (a) by Dr. Fabricius. The for*ier of them began on the twenty-firft day of the latter, if the authority of our inscription in this point may be intirely depended upon. Hence likewife it mod: evidently appears, that T'ebeth was the name of a Syrian, as well as of an Hebrew, month. p. Though the Palmyrene dialed be almofi:, in all refpeds, the fame with the Syriac yet it mud be al- lowed, that fome Hebrew words occur in thef€ in- feriptions. Of this 5010, in the firft and fecond, and 31, in the fifth, to omit other inftances of the fame kind, are inconteftable proofs. For which we may eafily account, if we confider, that many ( b ) Jews, as well as Chriftians, were fettled in the territories of the Palmyrenes. ’Tis remarkable, that though the word “Q. BAR, is ufed here for SON in the enumerations of defeents; yet TVttU, according to the Syriac form, HIS CHILDREN, prelents itfelf to our view to- wards the dole of the thirteenth infeription. As to the word WH, it muft be owned to be likewife of fa) Jo. A.bert. Fabric. Menolog. p. 16, 42. Hamburgi, 1712. '(I ) Seller’s A.-uiq. ofPaimyr. Chap. xix. the [ 704 ] the Syriac form; and confequently not to have been improperly ufed by the Palmyrenes. The fame may be faid of the word *rnn&, apparently dedu- cible from (a) Nia, FRATEIl; as the letters n and H are of the fame organ, have frequently a pronunciation extremely fimilar, and were therefore undoubtedly often .taken and ufed for one another. Unlefs we fuppofe, that the word was originally upon the done ’ffiTlN. which will bring it to the pure Sy- riac form ; and this for various reafons, efpecially as that very term is exhibited by the third infcrip- tion, the mod antient of all, in the very fame fenle, I am inclined to believe. 10. That the proper names ZABDIBOL, MIL- COM, SALMON, NASA, and HIZA or CHITZA, in the fecond and thirteenth infcriptions, which have no Greek ones to anfwer them, are either of Syriac, Chaldee, or Plebrew extraction, from fome of the (b) bed oriental lexicographers mod clearly appears. As for HIZA, or CHITZA, this mud be allowed to be a pure Syriac word ; though I remember not to have met with it as a proper name in any antient author. The fecond infcription bears date in the month TiJ'ri , and the 533d year of the sera of Se- leucus, or A. D. 222, foon after Alexander Seve- rus had afcended the imperial throne. The thir- teenth is 76 years older, having been drawn A. D. 136, in the reign of the emperor Hadrian, and about two years before the death of that prince. The altar on which the drd appears infcribed was (a) Val. Schind. Lex. Pent. p. 54. Vcrf. Syr. in Gen. iv. 8, 21. (b) Val. Schind. Lex. Pent aglet, pafs. Edm. Caftel. Lex. Hep- tag lot. pafs. creCted [ 7°5 1 e reded in the year of Christ 235, in the month * Tebeth , or stydynausy when Alexander Severus was engaged in the Parthian war. ’Tis obfervable, that the forms of fome of the letters, and particularly that of the Joay or Jud, in the third and thirteenth infcriptions, confiderably differ from thofe of the fame elements, that have been preferved by the others, which are of a later date. But notwith- standing this, that all the letters forming thefe Pal- myrene infcriptions are to be deduced from the fame fource, will, I believe, be univerfally allowed. Infcription XII. See Plate xxv, Number xii. atjo 12 apjtan 12 Hhnaa rfaro 12 AMTACHA FILIVS TEBELACABI FILII NAS/E AMTALEHSAL FILIV3 VAHBALATHI. AMTACHA THE SON OF TEBELACAB, THE SON OF NASA; AMTALEHSAL THE SON OF VAHBALATH. January 17th, 1754. Infcription XI. See Plate xxv, Number xi. nriiwiD 12 bmb2 rtaro irps BALMICHAL F1LIVS MOGIATHATHI MAZO FILIVS VAHBALATHI. 4 U BAL- [ 7°6 ] BALMICHAL THE SON OF MOGIATHATH, MAZO THE SON OF VAHBALATH. January 17th, 1754. Remarks on thefe Infcriptions. 1. They feem both to have been mutilated, tho’ the eleventh has differed more than the other ; fome of its letters being partly defaced, and partly deformed, by time. 2 . That they confid of the proper names of men, connected by the word BAR, SON, is obvious to every one, who reads them. 3. That thefe men were perfons of didindtion, and filled fome of the highed pods in the date, there is great reafon to believe. 4. That the names themfelves, as exhibited here, are of oriental extra&ion, tho’ the reafon of their impofition, at this didance of time, is not known, fa) can by no means be denied. f. In the twelfth infcription, as well as the ele- venth, tho’ in the latter it is fomething deformed, the proper name VAHBALATH, or VABALA- THVS, (which has alfo been preferved by coins) in the Palmyrene chara&er, manifedly occurs. 6. That the dates of thefe infcriptions, if any were ever vifible in them, mud have been poderior to the 447th year of Seleucus, or the 136th of Christ, the forms of the letters themfelves, and particularly that of the Jg d, or Jud , evidently prove. (a) Val. Schind. Lex. PentagloU p. 1048, 1220, 1050, 1959, i960, 1372, &c. 4 Infcription [ 7° 7 3 Incription V. See Plate xxiv, Number v. 12 JTH DVD23SD H mi Xpbtl «m to KjTMTpjD name D'bniN nS erpa h main nwd ’Ti khd ms ou^s rro *np^ snna >i wA dt 3D-] h ntpn SORS five PORTIO eft UJEC SEPTIMII JERANJE FI- LII ODjENATHI SENATORIS CLARISSIMI ET VIRI FRIMARII civitatis TADMOR QVAM El EREXIT AV- RELIVS PHILINVS FILIVS MARII PHILINI MILES EMEK1TVS IACVLATOR five PILANVS LEGIONIS PARTHICiE HONORIS CAVSA MENSE TISRI ANNI DLXIII. THIS IS THE LOT, or PORTION, OF SEPTIMIVS CRANES, A MOST ILLVSTRIOVS SENATOR, AND A PRINCIPAL PERSON IN THE CITY OF TADMOR ; WHICH AVRELIVS PHILINVS, THE SON OF MARIVS PHILINVS, A VETERAN OF THE PARTHIAN LE- GION, WHO HAD SERVED AS A LANCIER, ERECTED TO HIS HONOVR, IN THE MONTH TISRI OF THE YEAR DLXIII. February 2d, 1754. Infcription VII. See Plate xxiv, Number vn. ubm H m tip'll ndto 21 nzy 12 rbzhv Kip'? DDT) NTD rb DD’pN n DD’ pD TD KHW LDDX H DOT JW 4 U 2 SORS [ 7°8 ] SORS five PORTIO eft H^EC IVLII AVRELII SAL- MALATHI FILII MALjE HEBRAEI FRINCIPIS vel DVC- TORIS CATER V.E Mercatomm QVAM STATVIT El SENATVS POPVLVSQVE QVOD DOMVM REDVX1T CATER VAM Mercatorum DE RE FAMILIARI GRATIS earn SV STENT ANS ANNO DLXIX. THIS IS THE LOT, or PORTION, OF IVLIVS AV- RELIVS SALMALATH, THE SON OF MALA, A JEW, PRINCE, CHIEF, or LEADER, OF THE CARA- VAN of Merchants ; WHICH THE SENATE AND PEO- PLE HAVE DECREED HIM, BECAVSE HE CON- DVCTED HOME THE CARAVAN, AND SVPPORTED IT AT HIS OWN EXPENCE, IN THE YEAR DLXIX. February 9th, 1754. Remarks on thefe Infcriptions. 1. From the words WIN, p’N, AIRAN, ODI- NATH, or JERAN, OD/ENATH, and to- gether with the words AIPANHN OAAINA0OT, H EOTAH, in the correfpondent Greek infeription, it plainly appears, that the letter Aleph , amongft the Palmyrenes, -fometimes anfwered to A, fometimes to E, and fometimes to O, about the middle of the third century. 2. From the words Np'ZD^pJD, SENATORIS, n:Ps nho, marii philini, D’tniN, av- RELIVS PHILINVS, Ac. we may colled, that one of the Palmyrene terminations of Greek and Latin words in the oblique cafes was N • but that the people of Tadmor, in the nominative cafe, when they wrote fuch words in their own character, generally preferved the Greek and Latin termina- tions. [ 7°9 ] tions. See the eighth, ninth, and tenth of the Palmy- rene infcriptions. 3. The proper name J03, MALA, in the feventh infcription, teems to anfwer to MAAHC, in the fe- venth of Dr. Bernard’s Greek Palmyrene infcrip- tions j though the terminations of thofe words are not intirely the fame. The proper names, or fur- names, NT are alfo in like manner repre- fented by CAAMHC IAAHC, as has been already obferved. As for the name, or furname, SALCA- LATH, or SALMALATH, it only occurs in the feventh of Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene infcriptions, which I have here been attempting to explain. 4. Though the dialedt, in which the two infcrip- tions I am confidering are written, be apparently the Syriac j yet the word D*1, IACVLATOR, in one of them, as has been already remarked, is undoubtedly Hebrew. As for *613, EOTAH, DDT AHMOC, and CTNKAHTIKA, or rather CTNKAHTI- KON, they are mote evidently Greek. In one of thefe infcriptions, the word t!H, PRINCEPS, VIR PRIMARIVS, appears without either the or the inferted as the middle letter j which fometimes, tho’ very rarely, happens. The word NDW, CATERVA, is applied to the Ifhmael- ites, as merchants, Gen. chap, xxxvii, ver. 2f. in the Syriac verfion ; which, with the word AP- XEMllOPON, exhibited by Mr. Dawkins’s thir- teenth Greek infcription, agreeing in fignification with our NHW DH, plainly fhews, that I have hit upon the true fenfe of that term here. The furname PHILINVS and the name MARIVS are only vili- ble in the fifth of thefe Palmyrene infcriptions ; Mr. t 710 ] Mr. Dawkins’s eleventh Greek one prefenting no- thing of that kind to our view, but ATPHAI : : : : and part of the word HAIOAOPOT, if that be ex- actly taken. We may conclude, from the fifth Pal- myrene infcription, that the people of Tadmor, if not the Syrians in general, when it was written, called Par - thia BATRA, or BATRIA; which in found ap- proaches pretty near to the BACTRIA of the antients. The name TMTHT, TADMOR, confifting of five letters, and not of four only, as has hitherto been generally, if not always, fuppofed, occurs in the fame infcription. The two laft words of the fourth line of the fe- venth have either not been fo well preferved as the others, or not fo accurately taken. They may never- thelefs be read either HD’D |D, EX SVO MARSV- PIO, or pa GRATIS DE RE FAMILIARI 5 either of which ledtions is confonant enough to the tenor of the infcription. The latter, which I have chofen here, feems however to be better fupported by the correfpondent Greek infcription ; as the Sy- riac po exadtly anfwers to the adverb nPOIKA there. Should the critics allow the words HD* pa as they now appear upon the face of the infcription, to ftand ; the Syriac HD’ muft be of the fame im- port with the Hebrew fW*. PECVNIA, DIVIT IJE, RES FAMILIARIS, &c. though it has for its mid- dle letter Samech , inftead of Schi?i. Nor indeed is this to be wondered at, as the Syrians fometimes ufed the former for the latter of thofe elements. That word, upon the foregoing fuppofition, fuffers here an ellipfis of the particle 3 BE ; as is evident from Mr. Dawkins’s thirteenth Greek infcription, with the fragments of which the feventh Palmyrene one extremely [ 711 1 extremely well agrees. Such ellipfes as this were antiently not uncommon, according to Noldius (a). f . From the feventh infeription it appears not im- probable, that fome eminent Jewiffi merchants, about the middle of the third century, refided at Tadmor. That infeription therefore may perhaps be allowed to fupport the authority of Photius j who has not fcrupled to aflert, that the famous Zenobia herfelf profefled the Jewifh religion ( b ). 6. From the two inferiptions now before us, and the others written in the fame character, we may fairly infer, that the ufe of the Chaldee letters (be- tween which and the Palmyrene there is fo furpriz- ing an affinity, that they may not improperly be con- lidered as the fame) prevailed at Tadmor, and in all the neighbouring parts of Syria, that were at no great diftance from the confines of Chaldsea, or Irak, in the firft, fecond, and third centuries after Christ. For the oldeft of them was drawn out in the month Elul , or September , and the year of Seleu- cus 360 , nearly coincident with the 49th of Christ ; the thirteenth of them in the month Nifan) or Aprils of the year of Seleucus 447, anfwering to the year of Christ 136; the fifth, that I have been juft at- tempting to explain, in the month cIifrii and the year of Seleucus 563, or of Christ 2f2, when Tre- bonianus Gallus directed the Roman affairs ; the feventh, that I have been likewife now endeavour- (a) Chriftian. Nold. Concordant. Particular. Ebrao-Chaldaic, &c. p. 164, &c. Jense, 1734. (b) Phot. Cod. 7$i, p. 1469, 1470. Rothomagi, 1653. mg [ 7*2 3 - ing to decipher, in the year of Seleucus 569, which correfponds with the 278 th of the Chriftian aera; and all the others, that bear any dates, in the fame century. Neither the prefent Syrian letters there- fore, nor theMendaean or Nabathasan characters, feem to have been ufed by the Syrians bordering upon Irak, during the three firft centuries after Christ ; nor confequently in any other interval whatfoever preceding the commencement of that period. So that theie inferiptions may, with fufficient propriety, be confidered in the light of manuferipts, written in the Chaldee or Hebrew character, 1700, 1600, and even 1700 years old. 7. With regard to the numeral characters, ex- hibited both by the inferiptions at prefent in view, and the others tranfmitted down to us in the Pal- myrene language, it may not be improper to obferve, that the letter Ajin> or at leaft a character fimilar to it, in the frit place, annexed to a fort of mark or fign of an unufual form, fometimes denoting Ten, ftands for 700, and in the laft place alone for the number Fi v e . The Palmyrene Pe, which refembles the £ gure 3 , reprefents the number Twenty; and unity is ex- prefled by the Pelafgic or Attic character I, which was likewife antiently ufed by the Romans. Hence it ap- pears, that this kind of notation was undoubtedly very antient in the Eaft ; and might poftibly have prevailed amongft the Syrians, feated not far from the fron- tiers of Arabia and Irak, and even amongft the Arabs and Chaldaeans themfelves, feveral centuries before the birth of Christ; though from whence the Syrians firft received it, or how they came firft to C 7i3 ] to hit upon it themfelves, I have not yet been able to difcover. To the preceding remarks many others might have been added, relating to the hiftory of Tadmor, as well as to the genius, government, cuftoms, re- ligion, language, &c. of the inhabitants of that once moft flourifhing city. But, as I intend here- after, when I can find a little relaxation from the bufinefs, in which I am at prefent engaged, if it fhall pleafe God to grant me health, to publifli a dif- fertation upon the infcriptions tranfmitted down to us in the Palmyrene character, and to confider every thing material deducible from them in a proper manner j 1 have here only attempted a bare tranflation of the major part of them, and laid down a few cur- fory remarks, which upon my firfl perufal of them occurred, in order a little to fupport and illuftrate that tranflation. Befides, a minute difcuffion of all the abovementioned particulars would have fwelled this paper greatly beyond the bounds of a letter; whereas my prefent intention is, only to fubmit a few memoirs relating to thefe celebrated monuments of antiquity to the judgment of our moft learned and illuftrious Society ; that by this means my defign may in fome meafure tranfpire, and come to the knowlege of at leaft the moft difcerning part of the public. I fhall offer no apology for the trouble now given you, Sir, as I was informed that a fight of thefe memoirs would not be unacceptable to you. In the mean time, you will permit me only to add, that I muft acknowlege myfelf obliged to the Reverend and very Learned Mr. Sanford, Fellow of Balliol College, as well as to Mr. Godwyn, for many 4 X valuable [ 7X4 3 valuable hints, from time to time communicated to me j and that I am, with the moft perfect efleem, S I R, Your mod: obedient humble fervant, John Swinton. LETTER II. Reverend Sir, Chrift-Church, Oxford, June 27, 1754. Read July 5, /rT'' H E favourable reception, which my 1 754* X laft letter met with from the Royal So- ciety, has encouraged me to trouble you with another upon the fame fubjedt; and to fend you a Latin andEng- lilhverlionofMr. Dawkins’s three remaining Palmyrene infcriptions, attended by fuch fhort remarks, as were drawn up in order a little to illuftrate and explain the former. And this I have been the more readily induced to do, as I have, I think, fince difcovered more fully the true notation of the Palmyrenes, at lead from Uni- ty to a Thousand, and am thereby enabled to cor- rect one or two flight errors, which had before efcaped me. I fhall therefore, without any farther preface or in- troduction, immediately proceed to the point in view, and confider the three infcriptions now before me, in the fame manner I did the preceding ones ; efpe- cially, as I have had the pleafure to find, that the method by me formerly obferved did not prove uiv- acceptable to fo confiderable a part of the learned. Infcripticn [ 7^5 ] Infcription IV. See Plate xxiv, Number iv. id )Dbn id td^d id ubiDi d^iin d^v p^n h arvuroa jutodn in n oi«w i fnw mhd mm nop omj dd^s snbx N’rt pa©^» |k»idi owsonp }*HW |WU Dm Q1P DINT DT^N’JtDD IDT ^ditv r6 ino did b&D runjD wnti ay ddv XD1D CDWT NTD H D^V 3NT ND^N *oi /w top'*? DTom nStd rrb mpa h SORS five PORTIO IVLII AVRELII ZABDILZE FILII MALCHJ FILII MALCHI FILII NASSVMI QVI IPSE DVCTOR EXERCITVS COLONIZE IN ADVENTV DEI ALEXANDRI CASSARIS ET MINISTER 1VXTA SVF- FICIENTIAM ET PERENNITATEM (i. e. DIGNVS ET PERPETVVS LEGATVS) RVTILII CRISPINI PRZE- FECTI ET CHILIADVM (COPIARVM vel VEXILLA- TIONVM) AMANDATARVM (vel DEDVCTARVM) IN IVDICEM (i. e. IVDEX five QVjESTOR) ET DE PECV- LIO SVO (feu RE FAMILIARI) iis DONAVIT ET REPO- SITO frumento PROSPEXIT ET PLVRIMA TRIBVTA CVRAVIT ET PRZECLARE REM EGIT SECVNDVM DONA (five PLENA MANV) PROVT hxc TEST AT VS EST El DEVS IARIBOLVS ET IVLIVS (PHILIPPVS) ETIAM (vel PROPTER HZEC A DEO IARIBOLO ET IVLIO (PHILTPPO) ITIDEM CONFIRM ATA atque COMPROBATA) QVI DIGNVS ET EXCELSVS eft DO- MINVS QVAM El POSVIT SENATUS POPVLVSQVE HONORIS CAVSA ANNO DLIV. 4X2 THE C 716 ] THE LOT, or PORTION, OF IVLIVS AVRELIVS ZABDILA, THE SON OF MALCHVS, THE SON OF MALCHVS, THE SON OF NASSVM, WHO WAS COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE COLONY’S FORCES, WHEN THE GOD ALEXANDER C/ESAR ARRIVED HERE, AND THE WORTHY AND PERPETVAL LIE V TENANT OF RVTILIVS CRISPINVS THE PRE- FECT, AND JVDGE, or QViESTOR, OF THE AVXILI- ARY TROOPS, WHOM HE SVPPORTED AT HIS OWN EXPENCE, AND WAS THEIR PVRVEYOR, AND RECEIVED THE TRIBVTE, AND PRESIDED WITH GREAT PRVDENCE AND GENEROSITY; FOR THESE SERVICES, AS ATTESTED BY THE GOD IARIBOLVS AND THE EXCELLENT LORD IVLIVS (PHILIPPVS), THE SENATE AND PEOPLE HAVE ERECTED THIS TO HIS HONOVR, IN THE YEAR DLIV. February 16th, 1754. Infcription VI. See (Plate xxiv, Number vi. D’^HN D*W D1DTI 13 Dybo N1Q J1JHN 13 12B1 WV : : : : : xb)±> 1JD 'll NJUTR3DN3 jllb id*] nw m*3 Nip^ i3ij : : : SENATVS POPVLVSQVE IVLIO AVRELIO FILIO ODA-NATHI MADDjE (vel MATTHjE) SELEVCO FI- LIO ::::: : ET SEEILADIO IIS SERVIENTI feu MI- NISTRANTI et BENE SE GERENTI NEC NON DVC- TORI EXERCITVS IPS I A SEN AT V ::::::: HONE- STATO (vel CVM IPSO EXIMIO EXERCITVS DVC- TORE SENATVS POPVLIQVE PALMYRENI) SPONTE DONAVIT (i. e. DECREVIT) HONORIS CAVSA MENSE TISRI ANNI DLXVI. THE [ 7»7 3 THE SENATE AND PEOPLE HAVE VOLVNTARILY GIVEN, or DECREED, thefe TO IVLIVS AVRELIVS, THE SON OF ODENATHVS ; MADDA, or MATTHA, SELEVCVS, THE SON OF AND SEEILADIVS, WHO SERVED THEM WELL ; AS ALSO TO THE GENERAL, HONOVRED BY THE SENATE :::::::: (or TOGETHER WITH THE RENOWNED GENERAL OF THE SENATE AND PEOPLE OF TADMOR) IN ORDER TO DO THEM HONOVR, IN THE MONTH TISRI OF THE YEAR DLXVI. February 21ft, 1754. Infcription III. See ^Plate xxiv, Number nr. Dvr w bkx nr • n m mjd • • • Tin pop ^i3ro ra • atw 13 bzyn' 13 33^>D U3 :: : D H ^313? 13 MID SID'D :::::: EOT ^Jl 1JQ ’J3 TlS :::::: TON JY3HD* hto im pmn pnra MENSE ELVL ANNI CCCLX DONVM HOC ATQVE ARA ::: BADI AMRISAMSE ET ZEBIDE FI- LIORVM MALCHI FILII IARIBOLIS FILII NASE RE- POSITA five DONARIA MADDE feu MATTHE FI- LII ABDEBALI3 QVOD CVM EDIFICIVM COLLAP- SVRVM TIMERET SERVVS EIVS ASCENDENS PA- TREM SVVM SERA vel PESSVLO CLAVSVM ABSTV- LIT ET PROPTER SALVTEM EORVM ET SALV- TEM FRATRIS EIVS ET LIBERORVM SVORVM. IN r 718 ] - IN THE MONTH ELVL OF THE YEAR CCCLX, THIS GIFT AND ALTAR WERE PLACED here BY : : : : : BADVS, AMRIO’L SHEMS, AND ZEBIDA, THE SONS OF MALCHVS, THE SON OF IARIBOL, THE SON OF NASA : RICH PRESENTS, or. OFFERINGS, were likewife placed on or near the Altar BY MADDA, or MATTHA, THE SON OF ABDEBAL, BECAVSE THAT, WHEN HE WAS AFRAID OF A HOVSE FAL- LING, A SERVANT OF HIS WENT * VP, AND CARRIED OFF HIS FATHER, WHO WAS LOCKED, or BOLTED, IN; AND FOR THEIR SAFETY, HEALTH, or PRE- SERVATION, AS WELL AS FOR THE SAFETY, HEALTH, or PRESERVATION, OF HIS BROTHER, AND THEIR CHILDREN. February 25th, 1754. Remarks on thefe Infcriptions. 1 . It may be , proper to obferve here, that I have adhered as clofely to the original Palmyrene, in my Latin verfion of thefe three laft infcriptions, which are much more abftrufe than the others, as the ge- nius of the Latin language would permit ; though I have taken greater liberties in the Englifh tranf- lation, in order to render them more intelligible to the generality of our Englifh readers. 2. The fourth infcription has been in the main extremely well preferved, and difcovers more of the true turn and genius of the Palmyrene dialed:, than any of the others. Of this NJWVD3, IN AD- VENTV, though it varies from the pure Syriac form ; fn» tf-D, IVXTA SVFFICIENTIAM ET PERENNITAT'EM, an idiom that Yufficiently points out to us the nature of the language fpoken * See Dr. Shaw’s Travels, p. 276. by [ 7i9 ] by the Palmyrenes ; pN37*> CHILIADES, for fo it ought to be read, a word that feems peculiar to that language, though apparently of Hebrew or Syriac extraction* TYbiVSDX DE PECVLIO; fNW piW pNH:, TRIBVTA MVLTA MVL- TA, i. e. TRIBVTA PLVRIMA * njn:D, SE- CVNDVM DONA, i. e. PLENA MANV * NmD, DOMINVS; to omit other inftances that might be produced, are indubitable proofs. The words IVLIVS, AVRELIVS, COLONIA, CJE- SAR, CRISPINVS, HrEMONA, AHMOC, BOTAH, and AAEHANAPOC difcover at firft ■ light the fources from whence they are to be deduced. The laft of thofe words has been a lit- tle injured by time, feveral of the forms of its let- ters being confiderably altered. The third and fourth elements of the fifth line of this infcription, as well as the fecond, third, twenty-fecond, and twenty- eighth ( Thau and Nun in the Palmyrene alphabet being extremely fimilar) of the fourth, have likewile met with the fame fate * to all which I have endea- voured to refiore their primitive powers and forms.. In fine, this infcription may be confidered as a tolera- ble good fpecimen of the language or dialed; of the Palmyrenes (a). 3. The words 12*70 12 V'pD 12, BAR MAL- CHV BAR MALCHV, in the beginning of this infcription, evidently confirm the ingenious con- jecture of the learned Mr. William Baxter, men- tioned by Dr. Halley * according to which, AI2- MAAXOT, in the correfpondent Greek infcription, (a) Vid. Schind. Lex. Pentaglot. & Cartel. Lex. Hcptaglot, pafs. was. [ 720 ] was inferted there inftead of MAAXOT TOT MAAXOT. They at the fame time moft clearly evince, notwithftanding what has been advanced to the contrary by Dr. Bernard and Dr. Smith, that the word AIXMAAXOT is not of oriental extraction. 4. The furname PHILIPP VS, which ought to have followed IVLIVS, in the feventh line of this in- fcription, does not appear ; though a chafm, or vacant fpace, capable of containing a word of that fize, prefents itfelf there to our view. This, in con- junction with the parallel chafm, exhibited by the Greek infcription, exprefling much of the fenfe of the Palmyrene one I am confidering, amounts, in my opinion, to an almofl irrefragable proof, that this furname, as our great Dr. Halley formerly fuppofed, was, after Philip' s treafon to the emperor Gordian came to light, purpofely effaced. y . The laft letter but one of the fixth line of our Palmyrene infcription feems to refemble Daleth or Refchy whereas it was undoubtedly defigned at firfl for Ajin ; fo that the name to which it belongs ought to be written in Hebrew or Chaldee letters IAREHBAAL, IARIHBAL, or IARIBOL, i. e. DOMINVS LVNVS. From whence we may certainly infer, as Dr. Halley has obferved, that this deity was the DEVS LVNVS worfhiped by the antient Syrians. I have therefore taken the liberty to reftore the true reading here, by converting the Daleth or Refch into Ajin ; as alfo to infert the word *Q, BAR, FILIVS, notwithstanding it has probably for many ages difappeared, as the laft in the firft line of the infcription. 6. The numeral characters preferved at the end of this infcription merit the particular attention of the [ 721 ] the learned. From them, in conjunction with the numeral letters ftill vifible in the Greek one anfwer- ing to it, we may certainly conclude, that the un- ufual mark, formerly mentioned, alone properly de- notes Ten, and with unity prefixed an Hun- dred. This obfervation will enable me to correct one or two fmall errors, in the dates before afiigned the fecond and tenth Palmyrene infcriptions. The former was drawn in the year of Seleucus f 3 3, not 523, as I then imagined; and the latter in 574, not 564, as I ventured to affert. In fine, by the foie afliftance of thefe characters, and thofe of the iixth and feventh Palmyrene infcriptions, as explained by the corre- fpondent Greek numeral letters, I have conftructed the following table of numbers, from Unity to a Thousand, according to the true and genuine notation of the Palmyrenes. PAIiMYKE NE Numeral? from, O n e to a Thoufan cl . /2/ CLX 333 p/ c P / XXXI /P 3 XVE /yp 1 / Cl XX P333 P/ CI /p / xxxir //P3 XVH //yp 11 // CLXXX 3333"?/ cn //p / XXXUL ///p 3 XX TIT ///y p Til /// CXC p 3333 P/ cut ///p 1 XXXIV ////P3 XDC ////yp IV //// CC . 3?// CIV ////"? / XXXV yp3 XX 3 xr y ccc P/// cv yp / xxxvr /yp3 XXL 13 vt /y cccc -?//// act /yp / XXXVII //y P3 XXII II 3 VIE //y T> y cvir //yp / XXXVJIL ///yP3 xx ni 1113 VHE ///y DC - .p/y am ///yp / XXXK ////yP3 XXIV //// 3 DC ////y DCC p//y CTX ////yp/ XL 33 XXV y3 X DCCC p///y cx pp/ X. P33 XXVI /y3 XT /P ucccc -=>////y cxx 3 p / IX 333 xxvn //y3 xn //P M pp/ cxxx P3P/ LXX P333 xx\m my 3 xur ///P CXL 33P/ LXXX 3333 xxk ////y3 XIV //// P CT. P 33 "?/ XC P3333 xxx: p 3 XV yp + Y Hence [ 722 ] Hence it appears, that the antient Palmyrenes, in this part of their notation, ufed only four numeral characters; two of which were letters of their al- phabet, or at lead a fort of marks endued with fimi- lar forms. So that this kind of notation might have prevailed amongft them feveral centuries before the commencement of the Chriftian sera. For we learn from ( a ) Diodorus Siculus, that the Arabs of Petra, or A1 Hejr, on the confines of the defarts of Syria, and at no very great diftance from the borders of Irak, ufed the very fame letters with thofe of the neighbouring Syrians, and therefore probably of the people of Tadmor, 3 1 1 years before the birth of Christ. This gives us fome reafon to believe, confidering the fituation of the aforefaid Arabs, that thefe letters could not have been very different from thofe, which three or four centuries afterwards form- ed the alphabet of the Palmyrenes. 7. It ought to be obferved, that the fourth infcrip- tion is dated in the year of Seleucus 5^4, nearly coinci- dent with the year of Christ 243, towards the clofe of Gordian’s reign ; and confequently before Philip’s elevation to the imperial throne. This may be fairly collected from the ninth of Mr. Dawkins’s Greek inferiptions, as well as from that drawn in the lan- guage of the Palmyrenes, which I have here been endeavouring to explain. From hence likewife it feems plainly enough to appear, that the emperor Alexander Severus himfelf was at Tadmor in the (a) Diod. Sic. Bibliothec. Hifloric. Lib. xix. p, 723. Edit. Rho- doman. Hanoviie, 1604. year [ 723 ] year of our Lord 23$ ; when he marched againfl: Artaxerxes, king of Perfia, overthrew him with great daughter, and forced him, after he had raifed the fiege of Nifibis, to retire with fhame into his own dominions. 8. 1 have taken the liberty to convert the fixth letter in the fecond line of the fixth infcription, which feems to refemble Mem or Koph, into Nun ; as ADINATH, or ODiENATHVS, was the proper name of feveral great perfonages at Tadmor ; whereas we have little reafon to think, that fuch a pro- per name as ADIMATH, ADICATH, ARI- MATH, or ARICATH, was ever known amongft the Palmyrenes. 9. The word MADA, or MADDA, feems to be the fame proper name with MA00A, or MAT- THA, that occurs in the fifth of Dr. Bernard’s Greek infcriptions. 10. That the three words following ACTPATHrA, in the fourth line of this infcription (however dif- figured or defaced by time, or inaccurately taken)' were originally what I have made them, is rendered probable by the mutilated words MAPTTPH0EN. . TEIMHC AMEN . . . , and EOT AH . . , exhibited, as well as the proper names CEAETKON and CEEIAA- AT : : : : , by the correfpondent Greek infcription. 11. With regard to the words tS'Qfc', which likewife prefent themfelves to our view in the fixth infcription, they cannot well admit of any other fenfe, than that which I have affigned them. However, as they can receive no manner of illuflration from the fragments of the correfpondent Greek one, I only of- fer this, as what appears to me at prefent the moft probable j efpecially, as the infcription I am confider- 4Y 2 ing [ 724 3 ing feems to have fuffered more from the injuries of time, than moft of the others, which I have here been endeavouriug to explain. 12. The date of this infcription falls in with the year of Seleucus 5 65, which nearly coincides with the zffth of Christ, about two years after Valerian was fixed upon the imperial throne. 13. With regard to the third infcription, I fhall firft beg leave to remark, that in the age, in which it was written, the Palmyrenes feem to have been extremely fond of the letter Vau. This may be clearly evinced from the words pTTl and ’NT, written two hundred years afterwards pHVT? and ”H1» or KTI\ which appear towards the clofe of the in- fcription. Nor will this be any matter of furprize, when it is confidered, that the Jews, whofe language was then the Syriac, fometimes ufed the epenthe- tic Vauy or a letter equivalent to it, a little before the year in which our infcription was drawn ; as we may infer from the words ELOI, ELOI, in- ftead of the Hebrew ELI, ELI, fpoken by our Sa- viour upon the crofs, juft before he expired. That the mutilated letter beginning the eighth line of this infcription was originally an Aleph , and that the word to which it belongs is to be deduced from the root fQD, or rPSP, notwithftanding the epenthetic tl, from whence, in the conjugation Jlpkely is formed JT3DN, or rvsrjDN, if the natural and genuine fenfe of the pafiage be duly attended to, cannot, I think, be well denied ( a ). (a) Pafor. Ltxic. p. 652. Ed. Schoettgen. Lipfiae, 1 717. Schind. ubi fup. p. 54. Buxtorf. Gram. Cbald. et Syr. p. 36. Bafilese, 1615. 13. The [ 725 ] 14- The fird word of the fecond line here, whioh has been injured by time, was not improbably or r»tf, INFIX VM, ERECTVM, or CGLLO- CATVM EST; WAS FIXED, ERECTED, or PLACED ; as the fenfe of this part of the infcrip- tion requires either that term, or one of a fimilar fignification. The chafm at the end of the feventh line I fhall not take upon me to fill up ; tho’ feveral words might be offered for this purpofe, which would conned; thofe that precede and follow them, with very great propriety. That the done containing the infeription belonged formerly to an altar, is abun- dantly manifeft from the word ET ARA or ALTAR E, towards the clofe of the fecond line. Nor are we to be furprized, that feveral perfons are mentioned here, as concerned in the eredion of it ; iince a fimilar inflance, if not one exadly parallel, prefents itfelf to our view, in the fecond of Dr. Ber- nard’s Greek Palmyrene inferiptions. The fird pro- per name, being imperfed, cannot fo eafily be made out; but the fecond I take to be OMRIBOL SHEMS, or OMRIB OL SHEMS ; which a pure and genuine Arab would have wrote AMRIO’L SHEMS, or AMRI AL SHEMS, and a Greek AMPJCAMCOT. For, that this was one of the Palmyrene proper names, we learn from the fourth of Dr. Bernard's Greek Palmyrene inferiptions; which exhibits it conneded with IARIBOL, or IARIBOLIS, almod in the fame manner as the monument at prefent under condderation. And this circumdance ought to be looked upon as an ad- ditional argument, in favour of what is here ad- vanced. The next word ZEBID, or ZEBIDA, is likewife undoubtedly a Palmyrene proper name ; as mod [ 726 ] rfloft evidently appears from the thirteenth of the aforefaid infcriptions. The following term Up, BE- NV, or BANV (agreeing with the Arabic ) FILIO- RVM, relates to all the perfons before- mentioned. MALCHVS, IARIBOL, or IARIBOLIS, NA- SA, and MATTHA, are proper names of men, that occur in other Palmyrene infcriptions. That the word ABDEBAL, i. e. THE SERVANT OF BAL, or BAAL, applied to MATTHA’s father here as his proper name, favours very ftrongly of the Eaft, particularly of Syria, Phoenicia, and Arabia, where fuch proper names as thefe were frequently afliimed, is too clear and obvious a point to Rand in need of any proof. 15. From the date prefixed to this infcription we may conclude, that it is older than any of the others, handed down to us in the Palmyrene language and charadter, which have been hitherto publiflied. For it is dated in the year of Seleucus 360, and con- fequently was preceded by the commencement of the ChriRian aera only 49 years, when the emperor Clau- dius prefided over the Roman world. 16. From the laR obfervation we may colled!, that one at leaf! of the infcriptions, in the long portico, Rill preferved amongft the ruins of Tadmor, is prior to the reign of the emperor Hadrian ; though our celebrated Dr. Halley, who had not feen this, which I have now attempted to explain, took for granted, that all of them were poRerior to the commence- ment of that reign. 1 7. It has been thought proper here to add to the plate of Mr. Dawkins's infcriptions, in the Palmyrene language and charadter, the two other plates, contain- ing the Greek ones, with which he has favoured the public. C 727 ] public. For, tho’ few of the latter directly correfpond with the former ; yet, by the affinity between feveral of the proper names, and the manner of expreflion, wherein they apparently agree, to omit other circum- ftances that occur, they greatly contribute to explain and illuftrate one another* Several other remarks on thefe noble remains of an- tiquity might here have been offered, and expatiated upon ; which, for the reafons already afligned, I muft beg leave at prefent to fuperfede. In the mean time, you will pleafe to accept of my mod grateful ac- knowledgments for the favour done me, and believe me to be, with all due fentiments of refpect, S I R, Your fnoff: obliged, and mold obedient fervant, J. Swinton. LETTER III. Reverend Sir, Chrift-Church, Oxford, Sept. 2, 1754. Read Nov. 7, \ S the Royal Society have done me the J754- xV honour to approve of my attempts to explain Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene infcriptions, hand- ed down to us in the antient Chaldee, or Syriac, cha- racter; I have been thereby encouraged, before I conclude what I have to offer on that fubject, to fubmit to their fuperior judgment the following ad- ditional obfervations. 1. Though my numeral table, from Unity to a Thousand, may be intirely depended upon; yet I cannot, with the fame certainty, extend this to thehigher numbers. C 728 ] numbers. However, as the Palmyrenes had no par- ticular numeral character for an Hundred, as had the ( 1 ) Greeks and the Romans j from thence I conclude it probable, that they by no means ex- prefled a Thousand by any fuch character. If this be admitted, the following table of higher num- bers may likewife be confidered by the learned, as confonant to the true and genuine notation of the Pal- myrenes. * s. P ALAH RENE Num era /s from a Thouf?fid to a Tlioufand Millions. tooo M 2000 MA1 3000 MMM 4000 MM MM 3000 103 6000 IOOM fooo IOOMM 8000 ; IQ p MMM 9000 100MMMM /oooo CC100 / 00000 CCC1000 / 000000 ccccioooo / 0000000 CCCCCIOOOOO / 00000000 CCCCCCI003000 /ooooooooo CCCCCCCI0000030 .no r-o'-oA 33^3111 ^O'-^nu .4005.. y'~^oiui .6o2o..3^3^iy V -3ny ~3^~3 w y . 8f)Oo. -3-3/ my '33'~3'~3/ ./0/0..^~^Zi/j ( 1 ) Herodian. ab Hen. Stephan. & Joh. Scapul. ad Lexic. Gr*u calcern edit. Sertor. Urfat. De not . Romanor. Johannis Wall. Oftr* mathematic* VqJ, prim, c, viii, p, 43—46, Oxon. 1695. This [ 72 3 4 59 1 This (fries, or mannner of numeral expreffion, if agreeable to the learned, may with the fame faci- lity be continued ad infinitum. 2. The Palmyrene names of five of the twelve V months occur in our inferiptions. Thefe are Pel lul, Tebetb , Phjan, hdul, and Tijri. To which we may add from a Palmyrene infc iption, publ idled by (2) M. Spon, and others, that of a fixth, viz. She - hat, or She, bat, which has been applied to one of tire Syrian Months by fome of the molt celebrated (3) chrunologers. Thefe names point out to ns fix months anfwering, in fome refpedts at lead, if not intirely, to the Syro-Macedonian months, Apellaus, Aydynceus , Xantbicus , Gorpiceus, Hyper be ret ecus, and Peritius as mod evidently appears from what has been obferved by the (4,) learned Dr. Fabricius, and the correfpondent Greek inferiptions. But notwith- danding the agreement here mentioned, that they did not however exadtly coincide with the Syro- Macedonian months, we may perhaps be allowed to infer from the (5) fjrft of Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene inferiptions ; which feerns to intimate, that the fourth day of Tebetb was the twenty- fourth of Aydynceus, and confequently that the former began the twenty-fird day of the latter month. And that this Palmyrene inlcription has (2) Jacob. Spon. Mifcellan. Erudit. Antiquitat. p. 1. Lugduni, 1685. Joan. Polen. Utriujq. Tbefaur. Ant. Rom. & Grac. Nov. Supplement. Vol. IV. p. 407, 650. Venetiis, 1737. Montfauc. L Antiquit e Expliquec, Tom. II. par. ii. p. 391. A Paris, 1719. (3) Scalig. De Emendat. Tempor. p. 95, 350. Guliel. Bevereg. JnjUtut. Chronologic, p. 71. Lond. 1716. Jo. Albert. Fabric. Menolog. p- 20. Hamburgi, 1712. (4) Jo. Albert. Fabric, ubi fup. p. 20, 44. (5) Dawk, Marmor. Palmyren. Infcript. Palmyren. I, 8. 4 Z been [ 73° 1 been rightly taken in the part under confideration, may appear probable from hence, that the word C3*0** or py. in the plural number, fecms to be naturally connected with the numeral Four, and occw s (6) adtmlly connected with that numeral in the Old Teftament. Unlefs it ihould be faid, that what now appears upon the face of the infcription as the lad: letter Nun was originally, though altered by time, the Palmyrene numeral character expreffing Twenty; to which indeed at prefent it is not much unlike. Which if we admit, the word in the lingular number, muft be allowed to have a connection here with the numeral Twenty- four. Nor are limilar instances of fuch a con- nexion difficult to be found. Nay, the very ex- predion CT]? DV3. DIE VICESiMO QVARTO, ON THE TWENTY - FOVRTH DAY, prefen ts itfelf to our view Hag. i. if. From whence lome perfons will be apt to conclude, that nothing can be more juft than the emendation here prcpofed. Jt may not be impioper to obferve, that the Palmyrene infcription publilhed by Gruter and M. Spon, has (7) been prefer ved on a marble, that formerly remained in the gardens belonging to Car- dinal Carpegna, and afterwards in thole of the Princes J ffiiniani, near St. John Lateran, at Rome. I fhall take the liberty to infert here the Syrian, or Syro -Chaldean, and Syro-Macedonian names of the aforefaid months, in order the more clearly to point out the difference between them and thofe of the Palmyrenes. (6) Jud. xi. 40. (7) Montfauc. V Antiquite Expliyuce, Tom. II. par. ii. p. 391. A Paris, 1719. Syro- C 731 J Syro-Chaldasan names. Syro-Macedonian names. Palmyrene names. Canun prior. Apellreus. Pellul. Cumin pojterior. Aydynaus. Pebeth. Sbebat. Peritius. She bat. N'ifan. Xanthicus. Nifan. Eilul. Gorpiceus. Elul. Pijn. Hyperberetaus. PiJ'ri. By the names Pebeth and Elul it fhould Teem, that the proper Syrians did not approach fo near the Jews, in the appellations of their months, as did the Palmyrenes. 3. In order to fet in a clearer light what has been here obferved of the laft- mentioned infcription, I have been perfuaded by the Reverend and very Learned Mr. Sanford, Fellow of Balliol College, to attempt an explication of it ; which I now beg leave to fubmit to the judgment of our moll illufirious Society. Nor fhall I be greatly cenfured, as the forms of the letters, of which it is compofed, have undoubtedly been altered by time ; and as none of the copies of it, that I have feen, have been exactly taken; if this in all points fhould not be flridtly conformable, to truth. All of thofe letters, as exhibited by the copies now before me, are not eafily reducible to the correfpondent elements in Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene alphabet, by the aiiiifance of which I have endeavoured to decipher this in- fcription. However, as no fmall affiftance has like- wife been afforded me by the Greek one anfwering to it, and the numeral characters at the end of it, as well as by the fecond, third, and thirteenth, of Mr. 4 Z 2 Dawkins’s C 73 2 1 Dawkins’s Palmyrene infcriptions, on which my conjectures have already been offered; I hope the following interpretation of it (which yet I would have only considered as an imperfeCt effay) will not prove unacceptable to the learned. The Palmyrene Infcription publifhed by Gruter and M. Spon. See Plate xxx, Number i. i2y nrmm kko h arrorn bscbm b'tobtyb 12 12 VTT ilD'2 p ♦rnw H*rn *nrn by) lyv ros? bnz »m* TO*] TW B3P ITVIJ AGLTBOLO ET MALACHBELO ET MONVMEN- TVM ELEVATVM (five SIGNVM) ARGENTI ET OR- NATVM EIVS PARAVIT EX MARSVPIO SVO IA- RHiEVS (vel IARjEVS) FILIVS HALIBEI (vel CHALIBEI) FILII IARHEI (vel IAR/EI) PROPTER OFFICIVM (five RELIGION EM) TIMORJS (i. e. EX VOTO A IAREO IN ALIQVO PERICVLO CONSTITVTO ET TIMORE PERTERRITO FACTO) ET OB SALVTEM SVAM ET SALVTEM LIBERORVM (vel FAMILDE) EIVS MENSE SHEBAT ANN1 DXLVII. IAR/EVS THE SON OF HALIBEVS, or CHALIBEVS, THE SON OF 1 ARE VS, DEDICATED THIS ELE- VATED MON VM ENT OF SILVER, AND ITS ORNA- MENTS, PREPARED AT HIS OWN EXPENCE, TO AGLIBOLVS AND MALACHBELVS, N CONSEQVENCE OF A VOW HE HAD MADE, WHEN IN GREAT FEAR AND DANGER, AND FOR THE SAFETY, HEALTH, I [ 733 3 HEALTH, or PRESERVATION, OF HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY, IN THE MONTH SHEBAT OF THE YEAR DXLVII. 4. That the letter n, (8) in Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldee, and Phoenician words, fometimes anfwered to the elements CH, or KH, fometimes to H, and at other times was quiefcent, or endued with no power at all, we may fairly infer from feveral inftances pro- duced on this head by the famous M. Bochart. From whence I fhall not fcruple to conclude, that the Palmyrene proper names of men in this infcrip- tion may be written in Latin either IARHiEVS, HALIBiLVS, and IARHiLVS; orIAR^VS,CHA- L1BALVS, and IARiEVS: which if we admit, the firft and laft of them are the very fame with one of thofe, that occur in the (9) feventh of Dr. Bernard’s Greek Palmyrene infcriptions; and the other one very well known in the neighbourhood of Tadmor. The lafi: point is clearly evinced by the word CHALEB, CHALIB, CHALIBON, or CHALYBON, the name of a city at no great diftance from Tadmor, which has been mentioned by the (10) prophet Ezekiel, Ptolemy, and Strabo. # 5. That the language of this infcription is the fame, with that of the others copied by Mr. Dawkins, and confequently little different from the pure Syriac, (8) Boch. Thai. Lib. III. c. xiv. p. 220. Chan. Lib. I. c. xxii. p. 502. c. xliv. p. 765. & alib. pafs. (9) Edward. Bernard. Monument. PaJmyren. Infcript. vii. p. 4. Rotteraedami, 1716. (10) Ezek. xxvii. 1 8. Ptol. Geogr. Lib. v. c, 15. Strab. Geogr. Lib. xv. will [ 734 ] will at firft light appear to every one, who has been in the lcaft conversant with that dialed. However, that it contains one or two flight variations from the pure Syriac, cannot well be denied ; flnce the words PD V for P1D8? if rightly taken in Father Montfaucon’s copy, which I have followed here, may not improperly be confidered in the light of fuch variations. 6. It appears from the matter of the infcription now before us, that IARfEVS dedicated the monu- ment therein mentioned to AGLIBOLVS and MA- LACHBELVS, the two moll celebrated Palmyrene deities, in order to perform a vow he had made, when in great fear, and apprehenflve of fome imminent danger; as likewife in order to avert both from him- felf, and his family, all future evils and dangers. The Palmyrene words therefore preferved on the ftone, that exhibits them, confiim what has been fuggefted by (i i) M. Spon (which is not clearly deducible from the Greek words anlwering to them) in relation to the end, or defign, of IARAsVS’s dedication of the mo- nument pointed out to us by this infcription. 7. With regard to Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene in- fcriptions, that indicate altars, or other votive monu- ments, to have been eredled cither on account of de- liverances from fome impending dangers, in confe- quence of vows formerly made ; or for the prelerva- tion of the perfons therein mentioned from future evils ; nothing uncommon or extraordinary appears in them. Such infcriptions as thefe were not only (11) Jacob. Spon. ubi fup. p. 2. fome* C 735 ] fometimes drawn out by the Palmyrenes, as is abun- dantly evident from the third of (12) Dr. Bernard’s Greek Palmyrene infcriptions, as well as that I am here confidering, and another publifhed by (13) M. Spon; but like wife extremely common both amongd the Greeks and Romans. In fupport of which adertion a multitude of indances might be produced, did it ftand in the lead need of them. But, as this is not the cafe, it will be fudicient to refer the cu- rious, for their farther fatisfadion in this particular, (14) to the authors cited here. 8. As for the honorary infcriptions, fuch as are exhibited by fome of the Palmyrene marbles, in- fpeded by Mr. Dawkins, they were dill, if pofllble, more common than the others, both amongd the Greeks, the Romans, and the Palmyrenes. So com- mon indeed, that whole volumes might be colleded of them. Nay, many might judge too prolix a bare enumeration of even the names of all thofe writers ; though I daall take the liberty to mention (iy) fome of them here, who have publifhed and attempted to explain them. (12) Edw. Bernard. Monument. Palmyren. Infcript. III. p. 2. (13) Jac- Spon. ubi Tup. p. 3. (14) Gruter. &Reinef. pafs. Baudelot. DeUtil. Peregrin. inDiis Larib. Spon. ubi flip. p. 4. Prid. Marin. Oxonienf. p. 282, 287. Oxon. 1676. Raph. Fabret. pafs. Joan. Oliv. Rhodigin. in Alarm, lfiac. Exercitat. C. iv. p. 23 — 33. &C. x. p. 70 — 82. Romae, 1 7 19. Lud. Ant. Murator. in Nov. Thcfaur. Vet. Infcript. Mediolani, 17 39, 1740, 1742. Alarmor. Taurinenf. Auguftae Taurinorum, J743’ I747- (15) Gruter. Reinef. Prid. Raph. Fabret. Edw. Bernard. Mo- nument. palmyren. Seller’s Append, to the Antiquit, of Palmyr. Lud. Ant. Murator. ubi fup. Marmor. Taurinenf. &c. 9. Three I C 736 ] 9. Three Palmyrene names of Syrian deities occur in Mr. Dawkins’s infcriptions, and that I am at pre- fent endeavouring to decipher; 'viz. IARIBOLVS, AGLIBOLVS, and MAL AGHBELV S of which the firft points out to us the Moon, and the other two, according to fome very learned writers, the Sun. That the firft name was antiently applied by the Syrians and Palmyrenes to the Deus Limns, or the Moon, is allowed on all hands; and has (17) been fo clearly demonftrated, that it does not ftand in need of any farther proof. And that AGLIBOLVS, or AGLIBOL, was in early times one of the Syrian names of the Sun, who was dignified by his adorers with the title of MALAC, or MALEC, KING, is, I conceive, .plain from hence, that the word (18) AGLIBAL, or AGLIBOL, apparently figni- fies THE ROVND LORD; which appellation could not fo properly and emphatically have been applied to any other pagan divinity, as the lun. The people of Tadmor wrote the laid word in the com- pofition of this name tyx Baal , ^2, Bal, or Bely and ^13, Bol, Bui , or Pul ; as may be inferred from fome of Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene (19) infcriptions, in conjunction with that I am now confidering, (16) Jan. Gruter. Carp. Infcript. ex Recenf. et Annotat. Joan. Georg. Graev. p. Ixxxvi. Amftelaedami, 1707. Joan. Selden. Be Diis Syr. p. 226. Lipfiae, 1668. Bochart. Chan. Lib. II. c. viii. p. 81 1. Francofurti ad Moenum, 1681. (17) Edw. Bernard. Schol. ad Monument. Palmyrcn. p. 21. Tho. Smith. Annotat. in Monument. Pa/myren. p. 53. Rottent- dami, 1716. Cl. Hulleius in Aft. Pbilofopb. Anglican. Vol. xix. n. 218. p. 1 7 1 . (18) Bochart. ubi fup. (19) Dawk. Marm. Palmyren. Infcript. Palmyren. iv, 9. 1. 6. Infcript. Palmyren. iii. 1. 5. which C 737 ] which has been publifhed both by Gruter and M. Spon. I have taken no notice of the name IVPITER BEL VS, though it occurs in the feventh of Dr. Ber- nard’s Greek Palmyrene inferiptions; becaufe* that name, however the deity, to whom it appertained, might have been reverenced by them, did not pro- perly belong to the Palmyrenes. io. It has been remarked by (20) Mr. Seller, and may be colledted from fome of the (21) Palmyrene inferiptions themfelves, that feveral of the moll emi- nent citizens of Tadmor had both Syriac and Ro- man names. To which I would beg leave to add, that fome of their alfumed furnames feem to be de- ducible from the Greek language alfo ; the words PHI- LINVS, SELEVCVS, &c. that occur in the fifth, fixth, &c. of Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene inferiptions, being apparently fuch furnames. And this is farther con- firmed by the Palmyrene words now before me, and the correfpondent Greek infeription ; in the former of which the Palmyrene, whofe memory has been perpetuated by the monument I am at prefent con- fidering, is called IARHiEVS, or iARfEVS, and in the latter, T. AVRELIVS HELIODORVS. But, for a more particular account of the different appella- tions of the Palmyrenes, I mufl refer the curious to the writer (22) laff mentioned here. (20) Seller’s append, c. ii. p. 187, 188, 189, 190, &c. Lend. I7°5- (21) Dawk. Marm. Palmyren. Infcript, Palmyren. iv, 9. viii, 16. ix, 17. x, 19. Sec. (22 ) Seller’s Crit. Objkrvat. &V. S A II. It [ 738 1 ii. It will at firfl light be allowed, that the forms of leveral of the letters, exhibited by the inlcription 1 am attempting to illuStrate, are confiderably dif- ferent from thofe of the letters preferved by Mr. Dawkins's Palmyrene infcriptions ; tho’ the forms of every particular element repeated in the firft of thele monuments, at lead; if we may depend upon F. Montfaucons’s copy, nearly refemble one another. From whence I would infer, that the letters of M’. Spon’s infcription were drawn at Rome, either by a perfon not Sufficiently acquainted with the true forms of the Palmyrene letters ; or by a native of fome part of Syria, where an alphabet was ufed not ex- actly the fame with that of the Palmyrenes. The latter of which fuppolitions feems to me at prel'ent the more probable. 1 ffiall therefore, in confequence of this opinion, take for granted, at lead; till I can meet with a more accurate copy of the Roman Pal- myrene infcription, that the alphabet, to which its elements belonged, was Something different from that of the Palmyrenes ; though I Should not be fuprized, if hereafter, upon an infpe&ion of that infcription, thofe two alphabets Should appear to be intirely the fame. Nor will this feem altogether improbable, if it be conddered, that (23 ) one of Mr. Dawkins’s Palmy- rene inscriptions is only three years earlier, and (24.) another of them not above Seven years later, than the monument I have now in view. What is here ad- vanced will perhaps be thought not fo remote from (23) Dawk. Mann . Palmyren. Infcript. Palmyren. i, 8. ('24) Dawk. Marm, Palmyren. Infcript. Palmyren. iv, 9. truth, [ 739 ] truth, if we admit, what has been fuggefted by two (25) very great men ; viz. that this marble was brought to Rome from Tadmor by the emperor Aurelian himfelf, after he had pillaged the latter or thofe cities, and treated its inhabitants with un- common cruelty, according to one of his own let- ters, ft ill extant in (26) Vopifeus. Which notion if we think fit to adopt, we muft likewife allow, that the two deities exhibited by this florae were BAAL, BELVS, or IVPITER, andtheSVN ; thofe having been the deities, according to the authors who have efpoufed this notion, as well as (27) Zofimus, and not Herodian, as Dr. Hyde (28) afl'erts, whofe images were carried from Tadmor to Rome by that emperor. After what has been obferved on this head, I fhall perhaps be excufed, if I lay before the Society the following alphabet, deduced from the Roman Pal- myrene infeription publifhed by Gruter and M. Spon. (25) Selden. ubi (up. Tho. Hyd. Hijl. Rel. Vet. Per/. p, 116, 117. Oxon. 1700. (26) Flav. Vopifc. in Aurelian. (27) Zofim. Lib. i. (28) Hyd. ubifup. 5 A * The [ 740 ] />ay ■ j74^ The PALMYRENE Alphabet, according to the Inscription pab/thhed by Gr uter and Spon . A be/it Palmyr. Hk Hebr W Lamed Taimyr. Hebr. Beth Mem Jin £ Gimet -C Hurt 14 dM, ~X "1 n Satncch. He ‘ -M-rl -ri n Ajtn 9 Van 41 Te rA ant t Tzade y Hindi JJ n Koydi Tetb. .1... . 0 lies eh -Tin Jod s .1 e/a n to & la /di 'D Than M Vi H It may not be improper to obferve, that the forms of the Nun and the Ajini in this alphabet, approach nearer the modern Syriac forms of thofe letters, if they do not intirely agree with them, than they do thofe of the fame elements in the proper alphabet of thfc Palmyrenes, 12. With [ 74i ] ii. With regard to the numeral characters, ftill vifible on the Roman marble, it may not be amifs to remark, that the laft of them feems to have been altered by time. It was probably at find two fhort drait lines, which exprefs the number Two in fome of (29) Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene inferiptions. If this fhould be admitted by the members of our moft learned Society, they will not be difpleafed to fee the following numeral table, deduced from the infeription I have been confidering, from Unity to a Thousand, not a little refembling that of the true and proper Palmyrenes. 1 : '• I j PALMYRENE Numerals from One to a Thousand , according to tie In fer f iron puiltjfb’d ^ Grater . n y> 4 XL 33 XXI / 1 XI /-&» DC 3>/4 L v»33 xxh //3 XII 11-0 X)CC n X LX 33J) xxm no xm ///V> DCCC 3>/// A LXX V>33) xxrv mo XIV nn "0 ncccc y> m / a LXXX 3333 XXV 43 XV 4 "0 nccccxx yw///A xc vo 333 XXVI /A 3 XVI /43> DCCCC XL 3IW///4 c 3>/ xxvn //4 3 xvn n 4~i> ncccc LX 333'> III IX cc Y* // xxvm III X 3 xvnr III XN> DCCC CLXXX 3333V* nil X ccc ">//! XXIX nn x 3 XIX III! 4"o M V* T> / cccc !>//// XXX 3> 3 A A. a I / n // in /// tv nn v a VI / A VII II X vm nix Di 111/ x X v* (29) Dawk. Mann, Palmjwu Infcript. Palmyreit. iv, 9. vii, rg.'&c. V, II. This [ 7+2 ] This table, if the manner of numeral expref- fion offered to the confideration of the Society in the beginning of this letter be allowed, may be con- tinued ad infinitum. 13. It is worthy observation, that the word HIS SONS, in the Roman Palmyrene infeription, de- noted lARiEVS’s whole family, and confequently in- cluded both the wife (as manifeftly appears from the Greek infeription anfwerins: to -it') and tire daughters (if he had any) of that Palmyrene. From whence we may conclude, that this word was pretty fre- quently ufed in fuch an extenfive fignification, about the middle of the third centurv after Christ, and probably much (30) earlier, at leaf: in lbme parts of the Eaft. As 1 have expatiated fo largely upon Gruter’s Palmyrene infeription, with which perhaps it may be thought I was not at firft fo immediately con- cerned, I am afraid you will efteem me too pro- lix. I fliall therefore only beg leave farther to obferve, that futficient acknowlegments can never be made to Mr. Dawkins, for the honour he has done his country, and fervice to the republic of letters, in copying fo exadtly fuch a number of inferiptions, which were before intirely loft to the learned world ; and to affure you that I am, with the higheft regard, S I R, Your moft obliged, and moft obedient humble fervant, John Swinton. VX • (30) Val, Schind, JUx. Ptniagku p, 21U Hanoviap, 1612. LET- / [ 743 ] L E T T E R IV. - t ■ - “ ' , Reverend Sir, Chrift-Church, Oxford, Oft. 10, 1754. Read Nov. H.'^T O T long after I had finilhed my ‘754- 1^1 conje<3;ures upon the Palmyrene in- feription publifhed by (1) Gruter and (2) M. Spon, I received a mod: obliging letter from M. l’Abbe Barthelemy, member of the Royal Academy of In- feriptions and Belles-Letters at Paris, and keeper of the medals in the French king’s cabinet; wherein he informed me, that he had taken great pains to ex- plain that infeription, and another drawn in the fame character, published likewife by (3) M. Spon. As he feemed to think, that he had not intirely deci- phered thofe inferiptions, he recommended it to me to take them both into my confideration, and try what I could make of them. I received alfo, at the fame time, from that very learned and polite gentle- man, as a prefent, a copy of his reflections upon the alphabet and language of Palmyra ; which, espe- cially as the piece itfelf is the refult of great fagacity and erudition, I efteem as an additional favour. M. l’Abbe Barthelemy acquainted me in his letter, that he had procured a molt faithful and exadt copy of the fecond Roman Palmyrene infeription, which enabled him to exprefs it by the fquare, or Chaldee,. . . . T / • Cv.'r: •• (1) Jan. Gruter. Corp. Jnfcript. ex Recenf. & Annotat. Joan. Georg. Graev. p. lxxxvi. Amftelaedami, 1 707. (2) Jac. Spon. Mifcellan . Erudit. Antiquitat , p. 1. Lugduni, 1685.. (3) Idem ibid. p. 3. letters. [ 744 ] letters exhibited in his third plate. It may not be improper to obferve here, that we are obliged for the publication of this laft infcription to (4) F. Montfaucon, (y) Mr. Reland, and (6) Sig. Po- leni, as well as to M. Spon. In my anfwer of the Sth inft. to M. l’Abbe’s letter, dated at Paris, Sept. 5th, which reached me here the 12 th of the fame month, I told him, that I had drawn out my conjedures upon the firft of the infcriptions he defired me to give fome attention to, before the arrival of his letter ; but that I could not at prefent find time to attempt an explication of the other. Nor indeed ought I to think of undertaking fuch a talk, before I can procure an accurate copy of the infcription to be explained, which M. l’Abbe Barthelemy fays he is in poffeffion of j thofe to be met with in F. Montfaucon, Mr. Reland, Sig. Po- leni, and M. Spon, being fo inaccurately taken, that, with regard to the forms of the letters they exhibit, they cannot certainly be depended upon. If the fquare, or Chaldee, letters at the bottom of M. l’Abbe’s third plate do really anfwer to the Pal- myrene elements, they are intended to reprefent ; the S V N had the name, or furname,of M AL ACHBELV S, MALACBELVS, or MALECBAL, that is to fay, KING BAAL, given him by the Palmyrenes. Which (4) Montfauc. L’ Antiquit. Expliq. Tom. II. par. ii. p. 392. pb clxxix. (5) Hadrian. Reland. Palajl. lUuJlrat. Tom. ii. p. 526. Traje&i Batavorum, 1714. (6) Joan. Polen. Utriufq.Thefaur. Anti quit at. Romanar. & Gra - car. W. Supplement. Vol. quart, p. 411, 654. Venetiis, 1737. It 4 1 C 745 ] if we admit, the names, or furnames, of AGLIBOL, or AGLEBAL, and MALECBAL, may be confi- dered as two different titles, or furnames, of the SVN ; or rather as two appellations pointing out to us two pagan divinities, with which the Palmyrenes were lupplied by the different appearances, or influences, of the Sun in fummer and winter. This notion has been countenanced (7) by Salmafius, and fome (8) other very learned men. However, I muff frankly own, that I cannot, to my intire fatisfadion, yet trace out the elements M. l’Abbe has favoured us wih, in any of the copies of this infcription, that has hither- to fallen under my infpedion. That I VPITER and the S VN were looked upon as the fame deity, and denominated BAAL, or BAAL SHEMESH, by the people of Abila, a town of Syria, at no very great diftance from the famous Heliopolis, if not by the Palmyrenes ; we may, I think, fairly infer from an infcription in the Pa'myrene charader, copied by (9) Signiore Pietro della Val e, ( o) at Teive, or Teibe, between two and three days (ti) journey from Tadmor, in conjundion with a (12) Greek one publifhed by Dr.Bernard, that appears upon the fame flone. The infcription in the Palmyrene cha- (7) Claud. Salmaf. ad Flav. Vopifc. in Div. Aurelian. (8) Jan. Gruter. ubi fup. Joan. Selden. DeDiisSyr. Syntag. ii. p. 226. Lipfiae, 1668. Bochart. Chan. p. 811. Francofurti ad Mce- num, 1681. (9) Hadr. Reland, ubi fup. p. 525i 52^* (10) Philofoph. Tranfaft. Vol. xix. n. 217. p. 109. & n. 218. P- 173* (11) Philofoph. Tranfaft. V ol. xix. n. 217. p. 109. (12) Edw. Bernard. Monument. Paltnyren. p. 2. Rotteraedami, 1716. y B rader, [ 746 ] rafter, as to the forms of fome of its letters, has either been a little inaccurately taken by Signiore Pietro della Valle himfelf ; or a little inaccurately copied by Mr. Maffon, from that gentleman’s origi- nal papers. However, as the words AGATHA- GELVS, or AGATHANGELVS, ABILENVS, BAAL, and SHEMESH, therein plainly enough occur ; I would, if fuch a liberty might be indulged me by the learned, willingly beftow the following Latin and Englifh verfions upon the infcription now in view. See Plate xxx, Number n. oxbm id mv byJ? BAAL SHEMESH (BELO SOLI vel DOMINO SOLI) DEO ABILENO DOMICILIVM (HABITATIONEM vel MANSIONEM) INCOLVMITATIS (vel SALVTIS) FE- CIT AGATHANGELVS. AGATHANGELVS PREPARED A PLACE OF SAFE- TY, or HEALTH, FOR BAAL SHEMESH, THE SVN, or IVPITER THE THVNDERER, THE GOD OF THE ABILENES. That the infcription, according to this interpre- tation, fufficiently expreffes the fenfe of the Greek one anfwering to it, though in a very concife man- ner, will not, I believe, be denied j which may be confidered as a pretty ftrong prefumption, that my explication of it cannot be very remote from truth. But this will be ftill more evident from a clofer atten- [ 747 ] attention to the particular terms of which it is compofed. The fignification of the two fhft words yrffiP BAAL SHEMESH, or DO- MINO bOLI, cannot well be miftaken. That the third word "10, MAR, may be tranflated into Latin either (13) DOMINO or DEO, will by every onentalifi be eafily allowed. The fourth manifeftly appears to be ABILENVS, or in Latin by appofition ABILENO ; though the fecond, fourth, and fifth, of its letters have been fomething altered and effaced. The fifth 2DQ may be looked upon as the fame with SEOD, or (14) DOMICILIVM, HABIT ATIONEM, MANSIONEM, &c. the Sy- rians (if) fometimes fupprefiing Vau, and ufing Samech for Schin. The fixth "lNHDD, or (16) T1JT3D, anfwers to the Latin INCOLVMITATIS, SALV- TIS, &c. The feventh NET apparently denotes (17) FECIT, PERFECIT, ABSOLVIT, &c. the Sy- rians not feldom converting the Hebrew He in (18) verbs of this kind into Aleph. And the eighth, if (13) Edm. Caftel. Lex. Heptaglot. p. 2128. Val. Schind. Lex . Pentaglot. p. 1034, 1035. (14) Edm. Caft. ubi fup. p. 1648. Val. Schind. ubi fup. p. 814, 815. (15) Seethe firft Roman Palmyrene infcription, as above ex- plained. Schind. ubi fup. p. 1826, & alib. (16) Vid. Targ. & Verf. Syriac, in Prov. ii. 7. & Caftel. ubi fup. p. 2450. (17) Caftel. ubi fup. p. 2928, 2929. Schind. ubi fup. p. 1399, 1400. (18) Joh.Buxtorf. Thefaur. Gram. Hebr. p. 251, 252. Bafileae, 1663. Buxtorf. Gram. Cbald. et Syriac, p. 161. Balileae, 1615. Schind. ubi fup. p. 313, 314, 315, See. 5 B 2 an [ 748 ] an Allowance be made for a fmall alteration in the iecond and fixth letters, will be AGA- THAGELVS, AGATHAGGELVS, or, as the Greeks pronounced, and the Romans wrote it, AGA- THANGELVSj the Greek Nu being (19) fome- times omitted in eaftern words, and fometimes fup- plying the (20) place of Dagefch Forte. Whence we may conclude, that the Abilenes, who were neighbours to the Heliopolitans, if not the people of Tadmor, took the Greek ZETX KEPATNIOZ, the Roman IVPITER FVLGVRATOR, or IV- PITER THE THVNDERER, and BAAL SHEMESH, or the SVN, for the fame deity j and confequently that whether we look upon the words AGLIBOLVS and MALACHBELVS as pointing out to us IVPITER, or BELV S, and the SVN, (21) as fome imagine, or only the latter of thofe deities, as others (22) will have it, we cannot greatly err. From the infcription now before us we may likewife colled, that fome of the Syrians, inhabiting diftrids not in the neighbourhood of Tadmor, made ufe of the very fame letters, or alphabet, about the year of our Lord 134, which then prevailed amongft the Palmyrenes. What has been here advanced, in relation to the identity of the Greek ZETS, the Roman IVPITER, and BAAL SHEMESH, or the SVN, is perfedly confonant to the fentiments of Macrobius on this (19) Bochart. Chan. p. 833. (20) Idem ibid. & p. 534. (21) Zofim. Lib. i. Tho. Hyd. Hijl. Rcl.vet.Perf. p. 117. (22) Jan. Gruter. & Joan, belden. ubi fup. Sam. Bochart. ubi fup. p. 8u. head 5 4 [ 749 ] head; who exprefly (23) affirms, that the Greek ZETX, th6 Roman IVPITER, the principal god of the Heliopolitans, and therefore undoubtedly that of their neighbours the Abilenes, were the very fame deity with the SVN. Nec ipfe Jupiter , fays that writer, rex deorum , Solis naturam videtur excedere ; fed eumdem ejfe Jovem ac Solem clarts docetur tndiciis. In fupport of which affection he cites Homer, Plato, Cornificius, Pofidonius, and Cleanthes ; who, according to him, abfolutely evince fuch a notion. The Affyrians alfo, or Syri- ans, if we will believe (24) him, allowed the IV- PITER of the Heliopolitans, and therefore in all like- lihood the IVPITER of their neighbours the Abilenes, to have been BAAL SHEMESH, or the SVN. Af- fyrii quoque , adds he, Salem fub nomine Jovis (i. e. BAAL, BAALIS, vel BELI), quem Dia Heliopo- LiTEN cognominanty maximis cceremoniis celebrant in civitate , qua Heliopolis nnncupatur . Nay, which is dire&ly in point, from the lame author it very clearly (25) appears, that IVPITER HELIOPOLITES was not only BAAL SHEMESH, or the SVN, but like- wife, in conformity to our infcriptions, the ZETX KEPATNIOX, or IVPITER THE THVN- DERER, of the Greeks. Hunc vero, continues he, eumdem Jovem Solemque ejfe cum ex ipfo facro - rum ritUy turn ex habitu dinofcitur. Simulacrum enim aureum fpecie imberbi injlat dextra e lev at a (23) Macrob. Saturn. Lib. I. c. xxiii. p. 215— 217. Londi 1694. (24) Idem ibid. (25) Idem ibid. CUM: [ 75° ] cvm flagro in AVRiG^£ modvm ; lava tenet fvlmen et fpicas , qua cunSla Jovis Solifque con - fociatam potentiam monflrant. Sanchoniatho, Philo Byblius, Servius, Herodian, Julius Capitolinus, and others, in effedt likewife affert the (26) fame thing. And that the Sun was antientlv worfbiped in chofe parts of Syria, bordering upon Palaeftine, under the name of Shemejh , or Baal Shemejh , is fufficiently implied by the local names Beth > hem< Jh, the temple of Shemejh, or the Sun; Ir Shemcfh , the city of She - mefi , or the Sun; Har Shemejh, the mountain of Shemejh , or the Sun, &c. which (27' not feldom occur in Scripture. It has been remarked by Sahnafius (28), that feveral nations and cities of the Eaft paid divine honours to the Sun under different appellations, each of them having one or more peculiar to itfelf. The people of Tadmor gave him the furnames of Aglibolus , and Malachbelus , as has been already ob- ferved ; the citizens of Emefa, or Hems, called him Alagabalus , Elagabalus , or Heliogabalus ; the Perfians denominated him Miher , or Mi hr, which was convert- ed into Mithra by the Greeks ; the Babylonians digni- fied him with the title of Baal , or Bel, importing Lord ; and the Abilenes, according to the infer iption I have been endeavouring to decipher, Baal Shemejh, With regard to the nature of the manfion, cham- ber, or apartment, eredted and fitted up by AGA- THANGELVS for BAAL SHEMESH, the SVN, ( 26 ) Bochart. ubi fup. p. 736, 737. (27) Matth. Hiller. Onomajl . Sacr. p. 771, 772. Tubingae, 1706. (28) Claud. Salmaf. ubi Tup, or [ 7Si ] or IVPITER THE THVNDERER, I muft refer the curious to what has been faid by (29) Mr. Seller, and the authors cited by him, on this head 3 as I can- not, confiftently with the brevity here propofed, at pre- fent expatiate farther upon it. To what has been ad- vanced, in order to illuftrate this infcription, which has never hitherto been explained, feveral other par- ticulars, perhaps not altogether unworthy the atten- tion of the learned, might have been added, were it not for the reafon juft hinted at. For as I may pro- bably be thought to have treated the point before me in too copious, or rather prolix, a manner ; it might be deemed improper to offer any farther obfervations at this time relative to it. I fhall therefore only intreat you to believe me to be, with the greateft refpedt and efteem, S I R, Your moft obliged, and moft obedient fervant, John Swinton. (29) Sel. ubi fup. p. 364 — 369. ERRAT A. P. 724. 1. 13, 14. read — finT! and P. 726. 1. 3. immediately after the parenthefis, read— unlefs we fup- pofe it to have been originally 03, LETTER [ 752 ] LETTER V. Reverend Sir, Chrift-Church, Oxford, 06t. 21, 1754. Read Nov. 14, T JsJ my laft letter I intimated to you, *754- A that j no intention to offer any conjectures, at lead; for the prefent, upon the fecond Roman Palmyrene infeription, publilhed by F. Mont- faucon, Mr. Reland, Sig. Poleni, and M. Spon, for the reafon therein affigned. But having fince been prompted by my curiolity to compare Mr. Re- land’s copy of it, by the affiftance of the two Pal- myrene alphabets 1 imagine myfelf to have difeo- vered, with the Chaldee letters, that appear at the bottom of M. l’Abbe Barthelemy’s third plate j I find that the latter may be fuppofed tolerably well to reprefent the former, and from thence am induced to conclude, that M. 1* Abbe’s copy of the fame in- feription muff have been pretty accurately taken. This has excited me to attempt, with all the atten- tion I am capable of, an explication of that in- feription ; the refult of which I now do myfelf the honour to fend you, drawn up in the fliorteft, and mod; concife, manner poffible. The infeription then, after the introduction of an emendation in the fecond line, and of two addi- tional letters in the third, which I would recom- mend to the confideration of the learned, may perhaps be pretty eafily exhibited in the Chaldee character, and demonftrated to exprefs the fenfe ot the Latin infeription, with which it is fuppofed to correfpond. The C 753 ] The fecond Roman Palmyrene infcription, pub- lilhed by Mr. Reland, from a copy taken of it by Mr.Maffon, in his Palceft Illujlrat. Tom. ii. p. J16, Trajedi Batavorum, 1714. See Plate xxx, Number m. win i m onfa onasD aip oidW joirrnW? awini ARAM HANC MALACHBELO ET DIIS TADMOR OBTVLIT (vel DEDICAVIT) TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS CALBIENSES ET TADMORIENSES (vel PALMYRENI) DIIS SVIS VOTVM SOLVERVNT. TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS DEDICATED THIS ALTAR TO MALACHBELVS AND THE GODS OF TADMOR: THE CALBITES AND THE TADMORITES (or PAL- MYRENES) HAVE PERFORMED THE VOW THEY MADE TO THEIR GODS. The terms, which form this infcription, are fo clear and intelligible, that it would be fuperfluous to ex- patiate upon them. My converlion of M. l’Abbe Barthelemy’s dubious Samech and Jod , the powers of which he fcems not abfolutely to have afcertained, into Jod and Aleph, in the word M373> at the end of the fecone line, is fufficiently juftified, and even rendered inconteftable, by the word NWlffl, that immediately follows, and the correfpondent Latin f C infcription* [ 754 3 inscription. That part of the Seventh letter in' has been conne&ed with the preceding element, and the other part defaced by the injuries of time, at hrft fight feems clearly enough to ap- pear ; though, had this not been the cafe, we may eafily conceive, from what has been already obferved, that the Palmyrenes Sometimes in the affix pH might have omitted the letter (i) Vau. The pronoun (2) m, or (3) *n» (not MT. (4) which is undoubtedly He- brew) and the words JfHDlffl Dip are all of them of the pure Syriac form. As forD'lfo DHI3LD, TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS, Seve- ral limilar inftances of Such Roman proper names, written in the Palmyrene character, have already (5) been produced. That the lad; word was originally SOLVE- RVNT, or rather VOTVM SOLVERVNT, HAVE PERFORMED THE VOW, as I have taken the liberty to tranflate it here, is clearly evinced by the latter part of the Latin infcription ; with which this tranllation fo exadtly corresponds. The term )i2b&, as confined to the Signification now affigned it, is apparently (6) Syriac j and occurs both in the (7) (Did and New Teftament. Hence we may conclude, that TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS, by the dedication of this altar, enabled Several of the CALBITES and TADMORITES, who a6ted under his command, to (1) See my Third Letter , p. 734. 1. 5. ( 2) Edm. Caftel. Lex Heptaglot. p. 631, 632. Lond. 1669. (3) Idem. ibid. (4) Val. Schind. Lex. Pentaglot . p. 467. Hanoviae, 1612. Caftel. ubi fup. p. 1019. (5) See my Firji and Second Letters. (6) Edm. Caftel. Lex. Hcptaglot. p. 3766. (7) Psal. xxii, 25. Matth. v. 33. perform [ 755 3 perform or accomplifh a vow they had made ; and that he conducted fome important enterprize, which had occafioned that vow, with great fuccefs. Whether the principal figure on that fide of the ftone, which exhi- bits the Palmyrene infcription, was intended to repre- fen t the SVN (8), as F. Montfaucon and others have afferted j or TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS himfelf, as fome perhaps may fuppofe not lefs probable ; I fliall not pretend to decide : but that the inference here de- duced from the term, which I have now been confi- dering, can by no means be deemed unjuft, will, I flatter myfelf, by the learned be very readily allowed. Who the CALBITES mentioned in this infcrip- tion were, we cannot fo eafily learn from any of the Greek or Latin authors. However, I make not the leaft doubt, but they muft have belonged to the Calbites taken notice of by (9) Abulfeda, the cele- brated Arabian hiftorian; who, according to that writer, were a tribe of Arabs that acknowledged for their great progenitor Calb Ebn Wabra, de- fcended in a right line from Hamyar, the fon of Saba, the fifth of the antient kings of Yaman. This tribe, in the times of ignorance ( 1 o), that is to fay, before the introduction of Iflamifm into Arabia, oc- cupied Dawmat Al Jandal, Tabuc, and feveral other places upon the confines of Syria. From whence, in conjunction with the infcription now before me, which perhaps was brought to Rome from Tadmor by the emperor Aurelian himfelf, we may infer, that (8) Montfauc. L'Antiq. Expliq. Tom. II. par. ii. p. 391, 392. (9) Ifm. Abulfed. in cap. De Arab. pur. Poc. Not. in Spec.HiJl. Arab. p. 40, 41. Oxon. 1650. (10) Al Kadi Saed Ebn Ahmed Andalofen. apud Greg. Abul Faraj. in Hiji. Dynaji. p. 159. Oxon. 1663. 5 C 2 the C 756 ] the Calbites, before the birth of Mohammed, probably extended themfelves from Dawmat A l Jandal and Tabuc to the borders of Palmyrene, and were even poffeffed of fome diftridts in the neigh- bourhood of Tadmor. According to the correfpond- ent (11) Latin infcription, the TADMORITES, or PALMYRENES, as well as the (12) CAL- BITES, mentioned here to have expreffed fuch a re- gard for their local or tutelary deities, muft have been foldiers belonging to the third cohort of one of the Roman legions, then quartered either at Tadmor, or fome other place in the territories of the Palmyrenes. But who TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS was, what com- mand he had affigned him in the Roman forces, or even at what time precifely he lived, for want of fufficient light from antient hiftory, I cannot at pre- fen t take upon me to determine. Thus, Sir, you have my thoughts upon the fecond Roman Palmyrene infcription, the only one of thofe hitherto published, which I have not already touched upon, laid before you with all pofPible brevity. For the reft, I remain, with the higheft refpedt and efteem, SIR, Your mofl obedient humble fervant, John Swinton. (n) Jacob. Spon. Mifcellan. Erudit. Antiquitat. p. 3. Lugduni, 1685. (12) It appears from Eutychius, that the Calbites acknowledged the fovereignty of the emperor Heraelius, and that even part of a body of troops, aflembled by that prince to oppofc the Modem forces, was drawn out of their tribe, in the Khalifat of Abu Beer. 'Eutych. AnnaU Tom, li, p, 270—273. Oxon. 1656. LXXXVIII. C 757 3 LXXXVIII. ExtraSi of a Letter fro7n John Lining, M. D. of Charles Town, in South Carolina, to Charles Pinckney, Efq, in London : With his Anfwers to fever al Queries fent to hi?n concerning his Ex peri- ment of EleEiricity with a Kite . Charles Town, January 14, i"54. Head May 4>XNclofed I fend you anfwers to the que- 1?54‘ ries, which you fent me concerning the experiment with the kite. Since I made that experiment laft May, I have not had an opportunity of making any more, having been confined all the fummer and autumn with the gout, which perhaps prevented my meeting with the fame unhappy fate with profeffor Richman. In the London Daily Advertifer, Thurfday 27 September laft, there is a more particular account of that un- happy accident. From that account it appears, that the profeffor had a wire, which came down from the iron rod, eredted on his houfe, through the gallery- ceiling, to an iron bar, which flood in a glafs vef- fel, which was filled with water and filings of brafs ; and that the profeffor flood fo near that iron rod, that his face was within a foot of it. Now if there was no wire, that went from that iron rod, or from any part of the wire above it, into the earth, it is no great wonder, that the profeffor was killed. I fhould be extremely glad to be informed, whether the iron rod upon his houfe, at the time the experiment was made;, [ 758 ] made, had any communication, by means of metal, with the earth. For, if it had, there is then more danger attending thefe experiments than I imagined. It is likewife laid in that paper, that from the elec- trical needle, which he obferved, there was no dan- ger. I am at a lofs to know what that electrical needle was, and fhould be glad to be informed. I know, that a magnetic needle placed on a fharp point upon the prime conductor, as foon as the con- ductor is fufficiently electrified, will move round with fo great rapidity, that in the dark the electri- city, thrown off from both poles of the needle, will appear like a circle ©f fire. Anpwers of Dr. Lining to the Queries fent to him . Query i. In what manner, and of what materials, was your kite, and the fixing, by which you flew it, made ? and to what height did it rife above the earth ? Anfwer . The kite, which I ufed, was made in the common way; only, in place of paper, I covered it with a filk, called alamode. The line was a common fmall hempen one of three brands. A filk line, except it had been kept continually wet, would not conduCt the electricity; and a wire, befides other inconveniencies, would have been too heavy. I had not any inflxument, whereby I could take the height of the kite ; but, I believe, it was at lead: 2 50 feet high. It was flown in the day-time. Query 2. You fay alfo, “ All the eleCtrical fluid, 41 or lightning, was drawn from the cloud, and dif- 44 charged in the air; and a greater degree of fere- 44 nity fucceeded, and no more of the awful noife 2 44 of C 759 ] u of thunder, before expedted, was heard. ” Now I fhould be glad you would inform us, whether the ferenity in the air you mention, was fuch, as gene- rally follows, after the clouds in the fummer thunder- ftorms have difcharged feveral loud thunder-claps ; and whether any flafhes of lightning appeared in the fkies, after you had difcharged the cloud of its lightning by the kite, as commonly do after a thun- der-florm is over in a fummer’s night ? For if there were no appearance of fuch flafhes, then, I think, your aflertion, that all the eledtric fluid, or lightning, was drawn from the cloud, Hands fully proved ; but if there were fuch flafhes after, I conceive there muft have been fome of the eledtrical matter left behind. • - - Anfwer. During the time of my drawing the lightning from the cloud, and for fome little time afterwards, it rained ; by which means, the body of the cloud being diminilhed, a greater degree of fere- nity neceflarily fucceeded ; and the quantity of light- ning extradted from the cloud, or rather its atmo- fphere, proved fufficient to prevent any thunder in town that afternoon ; though there was a great ap- pearance of thunder before the kite was raifed. But whether the fame ferenity fucceeded, as frequently happens after a thunder-florm, and whether there were any flafhes of lightning feen in the evening, I cannot now recolledl. If fuch flafhes had afterwards been feen in the fkies, as is common in a fummer’s evening, efpecially after a thunder-florm, thofe might proceed from other clouds, which had pafled the town, at too great a diflance to be adted upon by the kite. If \ r 760 *] If three eleCtrifi d clouds (which we (hall call) A, By and C , pafs from weft to eaft, ai.d are fo fituated to one another, and to this town, tl .at the cloud B is not only in breadth and length equal to the area of the town, but vertical over it, having an electrical atmofphere, which reaches low enough to be aCted upon by fharp points, either raifed bv kites, or ereCted upon the houfes ; then the cloud B -may be fo far deprived of its electricity, before it has patted over the town, as to be incapable of giving any flafhes of lightning, till it meets with other lefs eleCtrihed clouds, and approaches very near them. But tire clouds A and C, being at too great a diftance, in their paflage by the town, to be aCted upon by thofe points, fly on in their eleCtrical ftate, till they meet with clouds, or other bodies, in a non- eleCtric ftate, or atleaft with thofe, which have a lefs degree of eleCtricity. If the cloud (fuppofe) A meets, or rather approaches afterwards near enough, the cloud B , which was deprived of great part of its eleCtricity, or any other non-eleCtric cloud, it will difcharge at once part of its eleCtricity into B , or the non-eleCtric cloud ; and if into the latter, which we flhall call JD, in that explolion, it will deliver fo much of its eleCtricity to JD, as will make an equilibrium in eleCtricity between them ; i. e . if A had 1 00 degrees of eleCtricity, and D only its natural quantity, after the explofion, each will have 50. Then D is in a condition to flafh into a non-eleCtric cloud ; but that explofion will be much weaker than that was from A j becaufe D , in exploding into a non-eleCtric cloud, will only part with one-half (if thofe two clouds are of equal dimenfions) j that is with 2f de- grees C 76r ] grees of its electricity. But if it exploded upon a houfe, tree, or the like, the loudnefs of that explo- fion would be equal to the firft ; as in this cafe, it has an opportunity of parting, at once, with its whole charge of eleCtricity, which, by fuppolition, was fo. Hence we fee, that one electrified cloud only may be productive of many claps of thunder; and that thofe proceeding originally from that cloud, will become weaker, as the whole quantity of eleCtricity may at laft be divided amongft many clouds; and from hence feveral phenomena, which appear during a thunder-ftorm, and which fucceed it, may be ac- counted for. If therefore any flafhes of lightning were feen that evening, after the experiment with the kite, you fee how thofe might be produced, whe- ther the cloud was deprived of its eleCtricity or not. Electrified clouds have an eleCtrical atmofphere, as well as the prime-conduCtor, when it is electri- fied ; and the diameter of that atmofphere, cczteris paribus , will bear fome proportion to the fize of the cloud. My fmalleft prime-conduCtor is two inches and an half in diameter ; and when it is fully charged, its atmofphere extends to the diftance of about three feet from the furface of the conductor. How great then muff the extent be of the atmofphere, which furrounds a large cloud fully electrified ? It perhaps may extend to many hundreds of feet round the cloud, and may even reach fo low as to touch the furface of the earth : And when that is the cafe, a man, or a rod of metal, placed on a cake of refin on the ground, may be electrified, and yield fparks of fire. When [ 762 1 When a fharp point is prefented to that atmof- phere, it cannot deprive the cloud of its whole quan- tity of electricity, except the fharp point be lb near, that the cloud may explode upon it ; and, in that cafe, the cloud muff have a communication with the ground, by means of fome non-electric body. Sup- pofe an electrified cloud to have an atmofphere, which extends round it to the diftance of 90 feet from its furface ; and let that atmofphere be divided into three parts A , B , and C, each 30 feet in dia- mater : Now if a fharp metalline point [a) ereCted on a kite, or otherwile, is placed either vertically or horizontally in the molt interior part of the .atmo- fphere C, that point will continue to aCt till a quan- tity [ 763 ] tity of the lightning is drawn off, equal to the quan- tity which was contained in that atmofphere, and no longer. For then the lemi-diameter of the atmof- phere being reduced to 60 feet, every part of it is above, and not in contad with, the fharp point (a), and confequently beyond its fphere of adion. But let the fharp point be then advanced into the atmo- fphere By and it will ad as before, &c. The truth of this, however contradidory it may be, to the general opinion of the adion of fharp points, in drawing off the eledricity or lightning *, may be illuftrated by the following experiment on the prime-condudor. Eledrify the prime- conduc- tor in a dark room, and draw back the globe to a fufficient diffance from the prime-condudor, to pre- vent its being fupplied with any more eledricity from the globe, while you are taking off* the eledrical atmofphere with a fharp point. Bring then a fharp point, either vertically or horizontally, or in any other diredion, within two feet of the prime-con- dudor ; and the point, for fome time, will appear luminous. After that light difappears, advance the point three or four inches nearer to the condudor, and you will obferve the fame phenomena as before ; and by advancing the point gradually in this manner, as the light upon it difappears, the point will be al- ternately luminous and dark, till you have taken off the whole atmofphere in different laminas. As the * Mr. Franklin fays, fpeaking of fharp points, “ At whatever which was placed upon glafs. The wire from the mouth of the bottle of water H L, during the time of the thunder, he caufed to communicate with B C . From this addition he found the elec- tricity from the atmofphere more vehement than it was without it. This he firft obferved on May 3 1 , w^en the eledtrical fire exploded with fuch a force, that it might be heard at the diftance of three rooms from the apparatus. On the left hand of the bottle was placed a fecond eledtrical gnomon *. When this was made ufe of, the wire of metal B C, and .the wire H L, were connedted with MB L, a prime-condudtor from an apparatus for artificial elec- tricity jm. a glafs globe, At the fame time alfo, from the chain A B was fattened a piece of wire B Kf which was in contact with the veffel I K. By thefe means, when the eledtrical machine was put in * See the figure. motion, [ 768 ] motion, both the electrical gnomons were eledfrifed ; but this went off in a great meafure, as loon as the motion of the machine ceakd. By this whole ap- paratus taken together, Profeffor Richman obferved a kind of reciprocation in the effects of electricity : for at firft, when the electrical machine was put in motion, both the linen threads C G and C G arofe with the degrees of their refpedtive quadrants. If then the wire B C of the right gnomon was touch- ed, the thread C G col lapfed to the rod CD; but the thread oil the left fide continued diverging as be- . fore the touch. Then, if the wire B C of the left gnomon was touched, then in its turn the thread C G at the rod C D of the right gnomon collapfed, and the thread of the right gnomon afcended again. This reciprocation of the afcending and defcending of the thread, might be repeated three or four times with- out exciting the machine anew. The ingenious and induftrious Profeffor Richman loff his life on the lixth of Auguft 1753, as he was obferving, with Mr. Sokolow, engraver to the Royal Academy at Peteriburg, the effedts of eledtricity up- on his gnomon, during a thunder-ftorm. As foon as his death was publicly known, it was imagined that the lightning was more particularly diredled into his room by the means of his before-mentioned ap- paratus. Nor, when this affair was more inquired into, did this opinion appear to be ill-founded : for Mr. Sokolow faw that a globe of blue fire, as big as his fift, jumped from the rod of the right gnomon C D, towards the forehead of Profeffor Richman, who at that inftant was, at about a foot’s diftance from the rod, obferving the eledtrical index. This t 769 ] globe of fire, which truck Profeffor Richman, was attended with a report as loud as that of a pitch The metal wire B C was broke in pieces ; and its fragments, thrown upon Mr. Sokulow’s cloaths, did from their heat burn marks of their dimenfions thereupon. Half of the glafs vtffel E was broken off, and the filings of metal therein were thrown about the room. From hence it is plain, that the force of the lightning was collected upon the right rod C D, which touched the filings of metal in the glafs veffel B. Upon examining the effedts of light- ning in the Profcffor’s chamber, they found the door-cafe fplit half- through, and the door torn off, and thrown into the chamber. The lightning there- fore feems to have continued its courfe along the chain, conducted under the ceiling of the room ; but that it came from the apparatus at the top of the houfe to the door, and then into the chamber, does not, as far as can be collected, appear. If indeed it could be afeertained, that the light- ning, which was the death of Profeffor Rickman, was collected upon the apparatus, for this reafon, hecaufe thefe bodies, at the inftant of the lightning, were capable of attradting and retaining the electricity, it would then be in our power fometimes to divert the effedts of lightning. But of this fadt, more time and longer experience muff acquaint us with the truth. From hence Mr. Pinckney may acquaint Dr. Li ning, that, in Mr. Watfoffs opinion, at the time Profeffor Richman was killed, his apparatus was per- fectly infulated, and had no communication with the earth, by the means of metallic or other fub- ftances, readily conducting electricity ; and that the 5 £ ' great [ 77° ] great quantity of electricity, with which, from the vaflnefs of the caufe, the apparatus was replete, dis- charged itfelf through the Profeffor’s body, being the neareft rion-electric fubflance in contad with the floor, and was unfortunately the caufe of his death. This, it is prefumed, would not have happened, had the chain, or any other part of the apparatus, touched the floor, whereby the eledricity would have been readily communicated to the earth. Since the reading of the above to the Royal So- ciety,- a treatife in Latin, intituled, Oratio de Mete- oric vi eleBrica ortis , by Mr. Lomonofow, of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Peterfburg, has been tranfmitted to the Society. By this, among many other curious fads, we have been informed of cer- tain particulars in relation to the death of Profeflbr Richman ; of which the following may not be im- proper to be inferted here. Mr. Lomonofow obferves, that, with regard to the hidden death of the gentleman before-mentioned, the accounts, communicated to the public, contained ibme circumftances not fairly Rated, and others of fome importance were entirely omitted. With re- gard to the firft, it is inconteflably true, that the window, in the room where Profeflbr Richman was fa), had continued flint, that the wind might have no effed upon his eledrometer : but that the win- dow in the next room * (ef d g) was open, and the door [d), which was between thei'e two rooms, was half open ; fo that the draught of air might See Tab. XXXI. Fig. 2. I juflly * Tbi7os. Trans. Vol. XWJrL.TAB XXXL. Tu?. 2 .p.]~]o. 3- fi-771- [ 77 1 ] ufUy be fufpe&ed to have followed the direction of the iron conductor of the Profe dor's apparatus: that this condudor came from the top of the houfe at (z), and was continued to (b) and ( b ). adly, That this conductor was not placed far from that door- cafe, part of which was torn off. 3 d ly , That at this time no ufe was made of the Leyden bottle, men- tioned in the preceding account ; but the iron was inferted into a glafs (land, to prevent the diffipation of the electrical power, and that the gnomon fhould fliew its real Ifrentrth. o With regard to the fecond, there, has as yet been no mention, that Profeffor Richman, at the time of his death, had feventy rubles (a filver coin) in his left coat-pocket, which by this accident were not in the leaf!: altered. 2dly, That his clock, which flood at (j), in the corner of the next room, between the open window and the door, was flopped j and that the allies from the hearth (g ) were thrown about the room. 3dly, That many perfons without- doors declared their having actually feen the light- ning (hoot from the cloud to the ProfetTor’s appa- ratus at the top of his houfe. A view is likewile added * of the chamber, where the Profeffor was fl ruck by the lightning; who flood at ( h ), with his head projecting towards (g) his electrometer ; at (m) flood Mr. Sokolow the engraver ; from the door (c) a piece was torn off, and carried to ( C 807 ] folitude. The fame difpofitions we find imprefled on thofe of the aquatic fyftem : then why not among the polypi ? as is evidently feen from the prodigious variety of coral bodies, where it feems in fome as if thouiands ailed in concert together ; in others, where each ails for itfelf ; of which latter is the belemnites. The fihape of the belemnites is generally more or lefs conic, terminating in a point, and of various co- lours, according to the juices of the ftratum in which it lay : it has ufually a feam or fiflure, running down the whole length of it, fometimes filled with a creta- ceous fubftance. In fome it is in the middle or axis of the body; in others on one fide. Its interior con- flitution feems compofed of feveral conoid cortices, or crufts, which, when broken tranfverfely, appear to proceed in ftriae or rays from the feam or centre ; which feam I take to have been the habitation or cell of the animal in its polyp ftate, and in which the body was affixed ; or perhaps ferving as a fyphuncu- lus, in which was a ligament that proceeded from the nucleus in its perfedl ftate. The crufts that it is compofed of, I fhould appre- hend, denote certain periods in the age of the animal; as the annual rings in a piece of timber, its age : but what thofe periods are, we are unacquainted with ; fee Fig. 7, 8, 9, and 1 1. The animals of the teftaceous tribe in general, as they increafe in age, increafe their fhell in thicknefs, until they have lived their ftated time, or attained to good old age ; and that is done by adding a new cruft or lamina to it, as feveral, if not all the tubuli, the oyfters, and the nautili, witnefs (but thefe obferva- tions are beft made on foffil bodies, when, by great length [ 8°3 3 length of time the immediate caufe of their adhefion becomes weakened, and difplaystoview their texture); after which they grow inactive and dull, the effedt of extreme old age, fuffering other marine bodies, as worms, oyfters, &c. to penetrate and affix themfelves to their outer coat. The like appearances we fre- quently meet with on belemnits, when the animal within, I fuppofe, wras either wax’d old, or dead ; and is an additional proof that the body is of marine origin. Every one, that has made this part of natural hi- ffory his ftudy, muff have obferved, that the minu- tiae, or exceeding fmall foffil ffiells, very frequently occur, and in the greateft abundance, efpecially in fine loam or clay proper to preferve them : which fhews that it was fpring or fpawning-time when the deluge overwhelm’d the country they were natives of. And that diminishes one of the difficulties con- cerning the belemnites, why fome have the cavity, others not, or but very fmall : for may we not attri- bute thefe feveral appearances to the different ages of the animal ; as in the fpring or fpawning-time, and fome time after, a thoufand fmall fifli appear in the water to one grown to maturity, or feedlings on the fhores of fiiell-fiffi, to one at full growth ? and, from a parity of reafoning, is there not great likelihood to believe that every bellemnites would have had a nucleus, if it had lived ? and to fuppofe that deficiency to be caufed by the deluge coming on, in the early part of the feafon, in that fpot whereof they are natives, before they had attained perfection ? Not that I doubt of there being the fame variety of fpecies among the belemnitce as of any other tribe [ 8°9 ] in the teftaceous kingdom, we are convinced of that : but let us, for argument fake, fuppofe, that many never would have had a nucleus, that ftill does not hinder, but that the body itfelf might be formed by a polype, only of a different fpecies from thofe, that have the nucleus. And after all, if it fhould yet be objected, that the animal, though ever fo fmall, would retain the exadt fhape of what it would be in future, let them have recourfe to the fine collection of (hells of my good friend 'Mr. Arthur Pond, F. R. S. where they may trace many families of ihells from their minute lfate, and fee the regufar progrefiions of the animal, till it has attained full growth; by which it will appear, that the refemblance is often very fmall between their firft and laft Rate. The country of the belemnitae is unknown to us'; but there is great probability it is the fame with that of the conchre anomias in general, and ammonitas ; fince they are ufually found together, and are well fuppofed to be the inhabitants of deep or unknown lbas, beyond human reach. And now, Sir, having had fo frequent occafion to mention the orthoceratitse in the courfe of this fub- jedt, they being here rare and uncommon foflils, I have given the figures of fome few fpecies of them, which perhaps may not be unacceptable, N° 2, 3, 4, y, and 12. If it fhould be afked, whether they proceed like- wife from a belemnites ? I anfwer, that I fuppofe them to proceed from a polype like the reft, but whether their parent polype formed itfelf a belemnites- like chryfalis or habitation (being a ftouter animal), is more than I can affirm, although very probable, as the terminating point in them is as fharp and fine f K as [ 8io ] as the nucleus of the belemnites; and it is obferved, that all the turbinated fhells increale their circum- volutions from the point, or apex ; but that is not the immediate buhnefs of the prefent purpofe, as nature has many ways to.compafs her ends. My de- lign will be anfwered, if it fhall only be thought, that I have evinced the belemnites to be an animal pro- duction, formed by a polype, as other coralline bo- dies ; and its nucleus to be a concamerated teftaceous body, of the nautili genus, proceeding therefrom. Such is my hypothecs of this hitherto not fuffi- ciently explained body ; which I candidly fubmit to better judgments, to approve or rejeCt, as reafon fhali appear. I am, with perfeCt regard, SIR, London, Nov. Your molt obedient humble fervant, 14, 1754. Guftavus Brander. _ t Defcription of ^rPLATE. N® 1. A feCtion of a common nautilus. 2, 3, f, and 12. Sections of orthoceratitas. 4. An orthoceratites intire. 6. A feCtion of a belemnites, with the nucleus. 7. Ditto, without the nucleus. 8. An oblique feCtion of a belemnites, to fliew the inward itruCture. 9. A belemnites without a cavity, only a fmall perforation. 3 0. A nucleus of a belemnites. 1 1 . A belemnites, with a very fmall cavity. CXVIL [ 8« ] XCVIIL Some Obfervations upon the Agaric^ lately applied after Amputations , with re- gard to the determining its Species . By Mr . William Watfon, F. R. S. Read Dec. 5, f g ^HE agaric lately applied as a ftyp- ' v! j|^ tic after amputations, and which has been brought from France, I do not believe to be the common agaric of the oak, as has been ima- gined by the French furgeons. What is called the common agaric is a parafitical plant, found growing upon the oak, and upon feveral other trees j and is denominated by Cafpar Bauhin, Fungus in caudicibus nafcens, unguis equini figura ■ of which touchwood or fpunk, and the amadoue ordinaire of the French, is ufually prepared. I think it impoflible, by any procefs, to prepare from the common agaric a fub- ftance perfectly fimilar to the French agaric, which exactly anfwers the defcription, which Breynius gives of the Fungus coriaceus quercinus bamatodes , and of which we find the following * account in the Epbe- merides nature e curioforum. “ In medio quercus, “ lays that author, medullse velut fubucula circum- volutus, inventus eft : tener erat, mollis, flexilis, planus, nonnihil rugofus, ea longitudine et lati- tudine, ut colobium ex eodem commode conficere licuiftet : coiore pallido ad flavum nonnihil ten- dente ; itemque fubftantia, tra&atione, et figura ( c a C( 754- phyfician, who prefcrib’d an- timonials, was expelled the faculty ; nay, at Rome, anyone, who ufed Pulvis Cornachini, incurred the pe- nalty of being fent to the gallies, on account of the antimonium diaphoreticum, that was in it. Now, on the contrary, antimony, in fome form or other, is the grand catholicon, and ufed by dabblers, as well as doctors, in phySic. It is without all doubt a moft excellent mineral, when duly prepared, and judici- oufly administered. But whoever would give antimonial medicines with fafety and fuccefs, Should be well acquainted with the analyfis of that mineral, and its component principles; Should know what different combinations, preparations, and dofes of them, will affed : other- wife it may prove a poifon, inftead of a remedy. For who would imagine, without Sufficient experience, that Six or eight grains of the liver or regulus of an- timony, and even a much lefs quantity of its glafs, will caufe the moft violent vomitings; whereas a drachm or more of the crude, or common depurated antimony of the Shops may be taken with eafe and fafety ? But further, if equal quantities of antimony and lalt-petre are deflagrated and melted together, a very ilrongly emetic liver of antimony is produced ; and yet if three parts of that fait, and one of anti- mony [ «33 ] mony are detonated and calcined in a proper fare, a mere inert calx, or antimonium diaphoreticum, as it is called, comes out, not in the lead emetic or ca- thartic. On the other hand, if only one- eighth of ni- tre had been fufed with the antimony> a very mild kind of regulus medicinalis had been the confe- quence. So likewife, if one part of fait of tartar is fluxed with five parts of crude antimony, a very gentle medicinal antimony, or, as more commonly called, regulus medicinalis, is prepared ; and yet if two or three parts of fix’d alcali fait, and one of the fame mineral, are melted together, a very draftic kind of hepar antimonii, and commonly a fmall quantity of regulus, enfue. Nay, antimony well roafted, cal- cin’d, and then flux’d into a glafs, without the ad- dition of any other body, becomes the moft virulent emetic in nature : but if this very glafs is only cal- cined again by the concentrated rays of the fun, through a large burning-glafs, it is turned forthwith into an inactive calx, or a fort of antimonium dia- phoreticum. The fame is effected by burning the vitrum antimonii with about an equal quantity of nitre. Thefe are fadfs, which nothing but repeated ex- perience could inform us of; and yet, however flrange they may appear, perhaps, when we come more nearly to examine the matter, we may pretty clearly difcover the reafon of them. The cafe feems to be thus : Clean, crude anti- mony confifls of much fulphur, and a confiderably greater quantity of reguline metallic parts. The ful- phur, or at leafl: what may be called the external ful- phur, is little or nothing different from com- y N mon C 834 3 jnon fulphur, as Helmont furmifed, and Boerhaave, Hoffman, and Geoffroy, have evidently proved ; and I think every one now allows it, however virulent the arfenical fulphur of antimony, as they called it, was deemed by the antient chemifts. And this ful- phur, like the common fulphur, is compounded of a vitriolic acid, and a bituminous or inflammable fubflance: and whatever Bafil, Valentine, Charras, and others, talked of the vinegar of antimony, there is no other acid in it than what I have mentioned ; nor is there any kind of fait in antimony but the vi- triolic acid, notwithftanding the conceit of Maets, Duncan Bornett, &c. But however abundant the fulphureous principle is in antimony, the reguline greatly exceeds it, and in truth conftitutes the very body or eflence of anti- mony, and in which alone refides its draflic power, and emetic quality, as is fufiiciently flhewn by Mon- fleur Geoffroy, and of which, at prefent, I believe few chemifls doubt; for there is no one preparation of antimony emetic, in which the reguline principle doth not greatly abound : therefore no tin&ure of antimony, made with rectified fpirit of wine, is in the lead degree emetic. This reguline lubftance, or antimony properly fo called, is a metallic fubflance, J'ui gejjeris, almoft to- tally volatile when urged by a very flrong fire, and can bv no means, hitherto known, be brought to a malleable ftate. One will have it of a mercurial, another of an arfenical nature; but it feems in fever af rcfpedts to differ from either. No pure running mer- cury can by any known method be drawn from re- gulus of antimony, or its flowers, with fal ammo- niac, 4 [ «35 ] mac, whatever may have been boaded by the alchy- miflical vifionaries. The exceeding fmali quantity, that Monfieur Geoffroy fancied he extracted from it, could never be done again by the very fame procefs, materials, and the utmofl care. Befides, if the regu- hne part of antimony was really mercurial, how comes the mercury not to fly off intirely in a ftrong calcination, efpecially in fuch an intenfe heat as that of the burning-glafs ? And if it doth fo, as fome have afferted, how comes the remaining calx, after fuffering fuch a violent action of the fire, to be fo readily reduced to its prifline reguline metallic date, merely by the addition of any common phlogidon, as fulphur, charcoal -dud, animal fat, or the like? But indeed mercury in no form will dand fuch an intenfe heat, but is foon totally evaporated ; and fo would the regulus, if mercurial ; the calx of which however, after having flood this fiery trial, is, as I faid, eafily revived into a proper regulus. Pure an- timony differs from arfenic in not having the leafl garlick-fmell, peculiar to arfenic when burnt. Nor is the antimonial regulus at all foluble in water, as arfenic, nor in oil of tartar per deliquium , in which however white arfenic almofl intirely diffolves. More- over the conflituent particles of arfenic and anti- mony are of quite different figures ; the former re- fembling two quadrilateral pyramids, join’d bafe to bafe ; the latter like needles, as it were, and this par- ticularly in the minuted divifions of antimony by folution, fublimation, &c. as is remarkably feen in the flowers of antimony per fe, and in the folution of its regulus in wine, when viewed by a microfcope on a flip of glafs, or the like: nay, when flibium is c N 2 revived C 836 ] revived from the glafs, or calx antimonii, it refumes the fpiculine or needle-)ike appearance ; and when mercurius vhte is flux’d without any addition, it be- comes a fpiculine regulus, or a mere mafs of fuch aculei, or needles. Indeed it feems to be from this fpiculine or needle- like form (which is condantly retained by the mi- nuted: particles of the reguline fubdance), that an- timonial preparations have their emetic quality. Thus faline bodies dimulate by their points, or edges; fub- limate corioflve by its falts actuated by the weight of the cohering mercury ; arfenic by its rigid, flaarp- pointed, heavy particles. For when thefe reguline fpicula are fheath’d up in a large quantity of fulphur, as in the crude antimony, they exert no fuch power ; and if regulus of antimony is melted up with pretty much fulphur, it becomes quite as inert as the crude mineral. So regulus, or glafs of antimony, melted with wax, is rendered exceedingly much milder than before. Nay, even the virulent quality of the dronged white arfenic may be furprizingly taken off, by inti- mately uniting it with common fulphur by fuflon. It fhould feem then, that this fulphureous covering blunts or (heaths up the points of thefe acrid bodies, and takes off the irritation, which they would other- wife caufe on the nervous coats of the ffomach and guts. This is plainly feen in the glafs of antimony with melted wax; which, though in itfelf the moff: violent of all emetics, thus becomes infinitely more gentle, and may be given to adults from four, fix, or eight grains, to flxteen, with fafety, and great ad- vantage in fome cafes ; whereas two or three grains of the powder’d glafs will excite mod dreadful vomit- ings. [ 837 ] ings. But let me add, by the way, that if the vi- trum ceratum antimonii, after it hath been long made, is afrefli rubbed to a fine powder, it proves much more draftic, the wax being rubbed off from it, and leaving its points more naked : fo that even this feems to prove what I juft now hinted. Hartman’s chylifta, or the old preparation of glafs of antimony with gum-maftic, diffolved in fpirit of wine, and then evaporating the fpirit, feems to be on the fame foundation, but, I fhould imagine, nothing near fo fafe : however, I never tried it, nor that other pre- paration of the vitrum antimonii, by the repeated de- flagration of fpirit of wine in it, which, Geoffroy fays, may be given fafely to ten or even twenty grains ; the oleofe part of the fpirit of wine inve- loping or blunting the ftibiate fpicula, and reducing the glafs in fome meafure back again to its original antimonial ftate. ’Tis certain the faline-mercurial preparations are rendered much milder by burning fpirit of wine upon them repeatedly. The lefs therefore of the external fulphur adheres to the reguline part of antimony, the more vehe- ment is its operation, and vice verfa. Thus in pre- paring the common liver of antimony, the nitre de- flagrates with, and carries off, a great part of the fulphur, whence the antimonial hepar becomes very ftrongly emetic (I do not confider at prefent what the alkalization of the nitre in the procefs doth fur- ther). And ’tis much the fame in making the com- mon regulus ; and, when filings of fteel are ufed in preparing the martial regulus, it is, that the iron may abforb the antimonial fulphur. So likewife, in calcining antimony for the glafs, the fulphur is firft driven ,[838] driven off by roafting, and then more perfectly by melting the refiduum in a ffrong fire into a glafs, whence it acquires a moff violently emetic power, which notwithffanding is foon totally destroyed by re-melting it with much common fulphur. But although this grofs external fulphur is not at all neceffary to the conftitution of the reguline, me- tallic part, an internal or metallic fulphur appears abfolutely requifite to the exigence of the regulus, as regulus j for when antimony is quite deprived of all its fulphur, by what is called the humid or dry cal- cination, it ceafes to be metallic or antimony. Thus antimony expofed to the ffrong concentrated rays of the fun, becomes an abfolutely inert calx, or caput mortuum, and can never be reduced to its original nature and form, but by the addition of fome ful- phureous body. The fame happens, when large quantities of nitre are deflagrated with antimony, till the fulphur is all burnt off, as in the common anti- monium diaphoreticum. 'Tis thus alfo in the hu- mid calcination, when ffrong fjpirit of vitriol is poured on the reguline mafs, which it tears abroad, and lets loofe the phlogifton ; for this calx likewife is not reducible to regulus but by fome fulphureous pabulum, in clofe contadt and fufion with it. The ffrong fulphureous fmell of the oil of vitriol, when forced off by diftillation, or the like, dilcovers the phlogiffon, and whence it came. Moreover this calx is intirely white, and will not in the leaft de- flagrate with l’alt-petre ; an argument of the abfence of any fulphureous matter. This calx however is foon alfo turned into a regulus by the addition of a pro- per fulphur, and then deflagrates with nitre as ufual. [ 8 39 ] It appears then, that fome internal metallizing fulphur (perhaps however little or nothing different from the common external fulphur), is abfolutely neceffary to combine the metallic earth together, and even to give it the reguline confidence and form, without which it lies an inactive incoherent heap, utterly devoid of any antimonial virtue. Thus the dud, or minera, or afhes of iron, are harmlefs, and may be fwallowed fafely; but if formed into knives, or needles, the cafe is infinitely altered. We not only fee the neceflity of this internal fulphureous principle in the compofition of antimony, but alfo in that of the more perfect metals, which, when calcin’d by the burning-glafs (or otherwife) are not reducible into their proper metallic malleable date, but by the addition of fome kind of fulphur, as a bond of union between the disjoined particles of the refpedtive metallic earths. But it is pretty remark- able, that let the fulphur be animal, vegetable, or mineral, fat, coal-afh, or brimdone, it equally a deeds the coalition of the refpective earths, and the regene- ration of each of the different metals ; fo that it feems to be fulphur, as fulphur, that is only wanted in the recompodtion. In like manner as in vege- tables, the conglutinating oil is neceffary to the cohe- fjon of the damina, which being burnt off, they be- come a mere dud. It feems alfo to argue, that the difference of metals lies in their different fpecific metallic earths, as I may fo call them, and not in the different proportion, combination, and purity of the fulphureous and mercurial principles, as Monfieur Homberg, and others, have imagined. I know not how the fulphur, of the very fame charcoal, equally [ 8+o ] equally ferves to re-vivify the afhes not only of iron, copper, or tin, into their refpedtive metallic forms and confiBence, but likewife even the calx of filver or gold. But further, if thefe metallic earths were indeed originally of a mercurial nature, and remain fo after calcination, how comes their mercury to Band fuch an immenfe heat as that of the burning- glafs ? whereas no known preparation of mercury, much lefs mercury itfelf, will Band a third part of the heat without being totally diBipated, and for this reafon mercurials, as mercurials, never can be vitri- fied : but thefe earths, or aflies of metals, do Band this exceeding degree of heat, and are vitrifiable, and therefore not mercurial ; and their calx may be re- duced to metal again, by the addition of fome lul- phur : but I believe no one will fay the charcoal, in the reduction, refunds the mercurial principle to them. PoBibly it may here be afked me, what indica- tion there is of any remaining fulphur in well puri- fied regulus of antimony, or its glafs ? I anfwer, no one can doubt of its being in the regulus, who knows, that the beB antimonial regulus will deflagrate with nitre, in a red-hot crucible, and give off more or lefs of fulphureous fcoriaj ; that flux’d with a fix’d al- kali-fait, it will form a kind of hepar antimonii ; and that fulphur may be eaffly feparated from it, when diflolved in aqua regia. But this is obvious; the fulphur indeed is not fo readily difcovered in glafs of antimony, but ’tis evidently there ; for when that glafs is finely powdered, levigated, and digefled with very Brong diflilled vinegar, it tinges it very highly, and imparts to it an emetic quality : and tli is [ 841 ] this tm&ure, evaporated to an extra#, gives off the fulphureous tinfture to rectified fpirit of wine : but, if this fame glafs is thus feveral times treated with frefh diftilled vinegar, or its concentrated fpirit, at length it neither gives it any tindture, or emetic power, but remains a dead, dark-coloured, inert mafs, all the fulphur being extracted, and the glafs reduced to a mere calx. Befides, even glafs of antimony will in fome meafure deflagrate with nitre ; which (hews, that it ftill retains fome of the fulphureous princi- ple ; and, in order to render it mild and innoxious, Jtis necefiary to corre# it by burning off the fulphur of the glafs with nitre, or by the burning-glafs : which is in truth the deffru#ion of the metallic con- fidence in the glafs. But it is a much more difficult thing to prove the exiftence of the reguline fpicula in the glafs of anti- mony, in the very form of which I feem, in a great meafure, to have placed its emetic quality ; and yet glafs of antimony is the mod violent of all its preparations. I confefs, the fpicula, or needles, by no means appear in the glafs ; but they really do fo, when the glafs is digefted, and diffolved in wine, by laying a drop of the liquor on a plate of glafs, and then viewing it through a microfcope. And fur- ther, vitrum antimonii, reduced to a regulus with a little common fulphur, appears of a needle-like ftriated form. And incinerated antimony, when melted with too flack a fire, often appears a mafs of half-ftriated regulus, and half glafs, fo little is the difference. The falts in common glafs do not ap- pear, though they are unqueftionably there, and fometimes fo loofely combined with the vitrefcible 7 O earth. [ 842 ] earth, that wifie, kept in glafs- bottles, made of fuch ill-prepared vitreous matter, difiblves fome of the falts, and thence the wine becomes ill-tafted and unwholfome. Moreover, the preparation of the vi- trum ceratum antimonii feems not a little to con- firm the reality of what I have hinted at ; for the wax perhaps doth nothing but fheath up the point- ed reguline particles, when melted with them : and this appears the more probable, as a large quantity of brimftone, melted with white arfenic, fheaths up the arfenical lpicula, and renders them incompa- rably lefs noxious than before : fo, with a due quan- tity of fulphur, glafs of antimony itfelf is rendered a very mild kind of regulus. 5Tis exceeding difficult to explain the modus ope- randi of many medicines. Who can fay, how a grain or two of crude opium caufes a profound fleep ? or why a very fmall dofe of cantharides fo particularly and ftrongly affedts the urinary paffages ? why two or three grains of elaterium operate with more vio- lence than fifty or fixty of jalap ? or why fuch a very fmall quantity of glafs of antimony excites fuch dreadful vomitings ? But whether the emetic quality of antimony de- pends on the fpiculine form, or not, it certainly lies only in the reguline fubftance j for not one of the preparations of that mineral is emetic, but when confiderably impregnated with reguline particles ; which, when not inveloped with too much fulphur, always exert a vomiting faculty ; and this, whether given in fubftance, or diffolved in a proper men- ftruum, as wine, cyder, vinegar, or the like. Water, as water, draws nothing from an antimonial regulus, • 2 as [ 843 ] as neither touching the fulphureous or metallic part. Spirit of wine hath no manner of effect on the regu- line; but a vegetable faponaceous acid aCts on both, and draws out the real fubftance of the regulus, making as it were a very attenuated liquid tartar emetic, or antimonial folution. And thus indeed the vegetable acids aCt on iron or copper; which nei- ther pure water, nor pure fpirit, will affeCt, but are moll readily diffolved by wine, cyder, juice of le- mons, or the like. This leads me, however, to make the following obfervations : That though fimple water is ineffectual in drawing off* any thing emetic from pure regulus of antimony, yet certainly rain, or river-water, in fome meafure, aCts on the body of crude antimony, and extradts from it a milky hue, and a fulphureous antimonial fmell and tafte, by being digefted with it in a very gentle heat of the fun, or fire. And this water, by the way, fo impregnated, hath been very often found of great fervice in cutaneous and other diforders, when drunk freely. Now, as the watery menftruum doth unqueftionably take up fome of the antimonial fulphur, it may receive therewith like- wife fome of the very fine reguline parts attached to the fulphur ; juft as almoft all the natural fulphu- reous waters hold alfo fomething, more or lefs, of fome other mineral principle, as particularly moft of them fomething ferrugineous. And further, what- ever may be thought of giving crude antimony in fubftance, Kunkel, Hoffman, Geoffroy, and many others, affert its great utility in feveral diforders j and, I think, I have fufficient reafon to be of their opinion. It is fcarce to be doubted, but that it is of 5 O 2 very [ 844 ] very great fervice in feveral of the difeafes of horfes,. cattle, and therefore we may very well fuppofe, that l'ome of the reguline parts pafs with thcful- phureous into the mafs of their blood ; and, by pa- rity of reafon, antimony may as well find its way through the Vafa lattea , &c. of human bodies, and produce very falutary effects. I have, for a great many years, given antimony and quickfilver, rubbed into what I call an antimoniated aethiops, with great advantage, in feveral cafes, particularly in cutaneous diforders, obftru&ed fcrophulous glands, rheuma- tifms, &c. when the common aethiops had beea found much lefs effectual. This I have long ordered to be kept here as an officinal medicine, and to be prepared of crude antimony, exceedingly fine pow- dered, p.. iii; of pure quickfilver, p. ivj of flowers of fulphur, p. ii. Thefe are to be rubbed into an im- palpable black powder : Dofe from 3 fs. to 3 ii. It lies in my way here, alfo to mention, that though cinnabar of antimony, fublimed in the ufual way after the butter of antimony, may be very little different in virtue, or compofition, from the common fa&itious cinnabar ; yet cinnabar of antimony, as now generally made, with asthiops mineral and crude antimony raifed together, hath undoubtedly fome of the reguline parts, as well as pile fulphureous, of antimony, which carry then) up ; for it is well known to chemifts, how eafily the flowers of anti- mony rife in the common roafting, where the fire is much lefs than for fubliming the cinnabar. Now,, every one knows, that thefe flowers are of a reguline. nature, are ftrongly emetic, and may be eafily re- duced to an a&ual regulus. The abundant fulphur indeed [845] indeed wraps them well up in the cinnabarine pre- paration : however, I have often obferved large dofes of cinnabar of antimony create a naufea and puking, efpecially on tender ftomachs. But then, for this very reafon, this cinnabar of antimony may be, in many cafes, much more effectual than the common factitious, or even than the native cinnabar. But I come now particularly to make a few ob- fervations on fome of the common antimonial pre- parations. The common ftibium, or crude antimony of the fhops, hath been melted from its grofs ore, into a fort of conical moulds, or veffels, like our melting- pots j whence the molten mafs, when taken out cold, fomewhat refembles a fu gar-loaf. Now, as in this melting, the more ponderous or metallic part lubfides to the bottom, or narrow part of the pot, the lighter, or more fulphureous, remains above ; it is a matter of fome importance in making the regu- lus antimonii, &c. from what part of the cone, or loaf, the antimony is taken j for the nearer the point of the cone the more reguline ; and the yield, from a given quantity, thus taken, will be}> cateris pari- bus, much more confiderable, than if taken near the bafe. This thing fhould be like wife attended to, when antimony is given in fubftance, or boiled, or in- fufed in diet-drinks, in which it is far from being a ufelefs ingredient. I have before taken notice, that when the regu- line part of antimony is involved in a great quan- tity of fulphur, as in crude antimony, that mineral exerts no emetic or draftic power : but when the antimony, by long roafting, or calcination, is depriv’d r 846 ] of great part of this external fulphur, it acquires more and more of a vomiting quality, as the ful- phur is more and more con fumed. And when this incinerated antimony, as 5tis called, undergoes a fur- ther degree of fire, and is fluxed into a regulus, and even yet farther into a kind of glafs, it is fo far rtripped of its fulphureous covering, that the regu- line fpicula lie as it were naked, and exert the ut- moft violence on the ftomach, &c. And even be- fore it is turned into a proper regulus, or glafs, it acquires, after a long and proper roafting, no fmall degree of an emetic power, as any one will find, who gives it in fubflance, or properly digefled in wine, or cyder. And though I cannot fay with Boerhaave, that it is violently emetic, yet I know Hoffman is miftaken, when he pronounces it quite inactive. This incinerated antimony then, being thus far deprived of its external fulphur by calcination, is farther di- verted of it by being kept fufed a confiderable time in a very rtrong fire, and converted into glafs ; which almort intirely confifts of reguline parts, as is mani- feft from its being of a much greater fpecific gra- vity than crude antimony, or even than its hepar ; and though the regulus lies concealed under a glarty form, yet it is ftill very eafily reduced into a proper regulus, and therefore, as fuch, communicates a mort ftrongly emetic quality to any menftruum, which the regulus itfelf would impart it to, as well as being in fubflance mort violently vomitive. Nay, in running calcined antimony into glafs, if the fire is not brifk, and well managed, part of the very fame molten mafs runs into regulus, and part into glafs, fo little is the difference between them. • * Indeed, [ 847 ] Indeed regulus of antimony itfelf cannot be pre- pared but by deftroying the external fulphur : for inftance, eight parts of crude antimony, fix parts of crude tartar, and three parts of pure nitre, made in- to a dry fine powder, muft be thrown, by fmall fpoonfuls at a time, into a red-hot crucible, whence a very great deflagration immediately fucceeds each projection. At the bottom of the mafs, fil'd duly melted by a quick flrong fire, the regulus is found fometimes more, fometimes lefs, as the fire, &c. are managed. ’Tis a neceflary caution to force down the crufls, that are apt to form, at the beginning of the fufion, with an iron rod, or the like. Here a great part of the external antimonial fulphur is con- fumed by the deflagration, and the tartar and nitre being alfo forthwith alkalized by the fire, unite with the remaining fulphur, and fo form a kind of hepar fulphuris, which diffolves, and takes up likewife, much of the reguline fubftance ; (for liver of ful- phur, melted with any kind of metal, diffolves it, and even makes a mafs foluble in water) ; fo that by this procefs much the greater part of the antimony and falts is turned into a fcoria, or a kind of crocus antimonii, on the top of the regulus ; and this efpe- cially if the fufion is long continued. The regulus, thus detached in a great meafure from the fulphu- reous part, becomes very firongly emetic, for the real'on above afligned. Though this is a common method of making regulus of antimony, at leafl in fmall quantities; yet it is far from giving fo large a portion of regulus, as may be had by feveral other procefl'es; for it confumes not only much of the ful- phureous, but alfo of the reguline part, by the vio- [ M ] lent and repeated deflagrations, which rife in the iorm of flame, fame, and flowers, if catched in proper -places j and thefe lafl may be eafily reduced to regulus again. Befides, the proportion of the falts is too great, for, being alcalized, and uniting with the fulphur, they take up too much of the re- guline part, fo as to leave very little at bottom, if a flrong fire is long continued. Much more regulus, in proportion, would have been yielded, if the tartar and nitre had been previoufly fired, and turned into what is called the black flux. But, even in this cafe, the melted mafs fhould be poured off, or taken from the fire, as foon almofl as it flows very thin ; elle no fmall part will evaporate by the flrength and duration of the fire, which alfo increafe the pro- portion of the fcoria. But a much greater quantity of regulus is produced by melting two parts of clean antimony with one part of iron-filings, or bits of nails, to which alfo one part almofl of pure dry fait- petre fhould be projeded. This procefs gives almofl half regulus. Here the nitre in part likewife burns off the fulphur, but ’tis the iron, that chiefly takes Lip the fulphur, and unites with it into fcoria ; which, by-the-bye, finely powdered, and duly wafhed, may be ufed with as good or a better effed, than the antimonium martiale cachedicum of Ludovicus. I have repeatly known it very ferviceable in a leuco- phlegmatia, and an obflinate fluor albus. If crude antimony is firfl calcined by fire, as for making the glafs, or boiled repeatedly in frefli flrong lime-water, much of the fulphur is carried off, and the flibium, thus managed, yields much more regulus in proportion than if crude antimony had C 849 ] had been flux’d ; but the falts, ufed in fuch cafe, Ihould be veryconfiderablylefs in quantity than in the common method, and alfo previoufly reduced to the black flux. Monfieur Geofffoy fays, the incinerated antimony, melted with about an equal quantity of black foap, gives down much more regulus than is to be had by the methods of Kunkel, Stahl, or any other, even nine or ten ounces out of a pound : but I really never tried this method, not having at hand any true black foap : perhaps fome other falino-ful- phureous tnedium would do as well. Upon the whole, however, this general obferva- tion may be made, that where only fmall quantities of ingredients in this, or any other aflay, are fluxed at a time, there will be always lefs regulus in pro- portion, than if the procefs had been made with much larger quantities. Befldes, in truth, there is a great deal of difference in antimony itfelf, fome abounding with reguline parts much more than others : nay, antimony, from the very fame loaf, differs in this confiderably, according as it is taken from the balls or apex of the cone. The effe&s of falts in antimony will more fully appear, if we attend to the operation of nitre in preparing the common liver of antimony ; viz. if equal parts of antimony and nitre, finely powdered, and intimately mixed, are deflagrated, and melted in a crucible, or iron mortar, the product is a liver of antimony, which Ihould be feparated from the fcoria. In this procefs the fulphur is firft of all partly burnt off in the conflagration : and, 2.dly, the remainder is eagerly imbibed by the nitre, now alcalized by the intenfe heat, which, by this means, alfo dilfolves, y P and c 850 ] and intimately combines with, the reguline part, juft as common hepar fulphuris diffolves and takes up all kinds of metals. That this chiefly depends on the alcalization of the nitre, and its confequent union with the antimonial fulphur, and thus forming a diffolving liver of fulphur, that combines with the metallic part of the antimony, is evident ; for three parts of fait of tartar, or pot-afh, fluxed with two parts of antimony, produce exactly the fame effed, that is a liver of antimony, without the leaft admix- ture or help of any nitre. And it is from the inti- mate union of fo large a portion of this hepar ful- phuris with the metallic part, that little or no regu- lus is depofited, but only an uniform half-vitrified fubftance at the bottom : nay, if it be not diffidently fluxed, it gives off no fcoria. However, if the pot- afh and antimony are quickly melted with a very brilk ftrong fire, a bit of regulus, fometimes more, fometimes lefs, is found at the bottom. But if a much lefs quantity of the alcalious fait is ufed, much lefs of the antimonial fulphur is taken up, and it fo forms what is called by Margraaf, Hoffman, and others, regulus medicinalis, that exerts but little emetic power, there being fulphur enough left to invelope the reguline fpicula. But when a much larger quantity of fixed alcali falts (as about two parts to one of antimony), is blended with it by fufion, fo much of the fulphur is taken up by the fait, that little is left to fheath the reguline parts fuf- ficiently to prevent their exerting a very draftic power. The liver of antimony, made in the ufual way, with equal quantities of nitre, loofes almoft twice as much, i&the operation, by the deflagration, as [ 85* ] as that with the fixed alkali ; but the latter Is not ib glaffy, and much more apt to relent by the moifture of the air. The crocus, however, from either, if perfectly edulcorated, is nearly of the fame ftrength. That indeed, prepared with half the quantity of ni- tre, is confiderably weaker, as much lefs of the in- veloping fulphur is confumed, efpecially where a flrong fire is not ufed, and the matter is taken off be- fore the fcoria have well time to feparate. Even the fcoria of the common regulus of antimony are of the very fame nature, and a kind of an hepar anti- monii, which by a proper flux may be eafily reduced in part to a regulus: fo that whether alkalized falt- petre, pot-afh, or fait of tartar, are melted with this fulphureous mineral, a liver of antimony is produced, from which, duly wafhed, a crocus metallorum, or, more properly, antimonii. And as thefe hepatic maffes are foluble in boiling water, the folutions let fall an antimonial fulphur, efpecially when precipi- tated with a vegetable or mineral acid : but this ful- phur is always more or lefs impregnated with regu- line particles, particularly that of the firft precipi- tation, whence it is always confiderably emetic. Nay, 7tis certain the reguline and fulphureous parts of antimony may be fo incorporated with fix’d al- cali-falts, that the whole, almofi, of any quantity of antimony, melted with about an equal part of fait of tartar, or pot-afhes, may be thus turned into a kind of fulphur auratum, as ’tis called ; which is itfelf, in truth, no other than a very fulphureous- crocus an- timonii. The cohefion however of the fait, ful- phur, and regulus, in this hepatic concrete, is eafily dififolved by pouring an acid to its folution in water, f P 2 which [ 852 ] which ftrongly attracting the alcaline fait, the ful- phureous and reguline parts foon fall to the bottom. Nor are thefe latter very firmly united, as the alca- lious fait did, during the flux, in fome meafure de- tach the antimonial fulphur from the reguline parts. It is evident the cohefion is but loofe $ other wife fo great a proportion of fulphur, as is found in the ful- phur auratum, would, if very intimately combined with the reguline parts, have fo fheathed up thefe fpicula, as to render them incapable of imprefling any great irritation on the coats of the ftomach, &c. as is feen in crude antimony, and its regeneration from fulphur and regulus. Befides, though the firfl precipitation of the fulphur auratum is greatly im- pregnated with reguline parts, yet the fecond or third precipitation holds exceedingly few, and is almoft in- tirely fulphureous, and fcarce at all emetic. If you would have this milder, or more light fulphur, you fhould not pour on too much of the precipitating acid at firfl: ; or rather fluffier the antimonial lixivium or folution to hand, for fome days, expofed in a cold open air ; for thus the impure reguline fulphur will fall of itfelf ; after which you may inftill the acid as uTual- and, if you do thus, by gentle degrees, in fmall quantities, after the fecond or third precipitation, the fulphur will fall almoft pure; which fhews, that the fulphur in the hepatic folution is not very clofely united with the regulus. By the way, however, as the antimonial lixivium, from the hepar, is fo fully fraught with reguline particles, and thefe fo much unfheathed, it is conftantly more or lefs emetic, not- withftanding what Monfieur Lemery afisrts to the contrary. But that is not the only exceptionable thing ... [853] thing in that gentleman’s elaborate treatife on anti- mony. As the fulphur auratuin is now very frequently ufed in medicine, moie exadtnefs feems required in its preparation than is commonly pradtifed : for cer- tainly the firft precipitation differs not a little from the fubfequent, as being of a darker colour, and greater fpecific gravity, and of courfe more regu- line. ’Tis alfo of fome confequence how long the flibiate lixivium ftands before the acid is poured on ; for by time it will of itfelf drop much of the ful- phureo-reguline fubftance ; efpecially if it is kept in an atmofphere much impregnated with the fumes of vinegar, fulphur, or the like ; and, in fuch cafe, the fucceeding precipitate, with an acid, will be much milder, as being lefs metallic, but more filphu- reous. The quantity and quality of the precipi- tating acid are alfo of confequence. Vinegar may rather augment the emetic power ; and fpirit of fait, or vitriol, may make a precipitate not altogether fo proper to mix with calomel, as in Dr. Plummer’s alterative pill, &c. Great care fhould be taken there- fore in the ablution of the fulphur auratum; for the acid falts are not fo eafily wafhed off as fome would imagine, and it cannot be doubted but that fome of them fall with the precipitate. Who would think fuch a quantity of falts lay hid in the calx of filver, precipitated out of a folution of it in aqua fortis, by fea fait, which though perfe&ly wafhed, and altogether infipid (as is the luna cornea,, into which it readily melts) yet two parts of this, intimately mixed with one part of regulus of anti- mony, and diftilled, give a mod cauftic kind of but- ter [ «54 } ter of antimony. But however light and pure the antimonial fulphur may be defired, if it doth not in fome degree participate of the regulus, it can have no more effedt than common fulphur. The kermes mineral, once altogether as much ce- lebrated (and with as good reafon), as any antimo- nial noftrum now-a-days, is alfo a kind of liver of antimony, and of the fame nature with fulphur au- ratum, though the procefs in preparation feems very different. It is made by boiling crude antimony, powder'd, in a ftrong lixivium of fixed or alkaliz’d nitre (fait of tartar or pot-afh will do full as well). Here the alcalious falts fix on the fulphur, and unite with it; whence a liquid kind of hepar fulphuris, which diffolves, or perhaps more properly takes up, and incorporates with, many of the reguline parts : and thus in reality it becomes a mild fort of crocus antimonii, as is evident from its having fome emetic power, and yielding a regulus by a proper flux. There is another way of making a fort of kermes mineral, or fulphur auratum, feldom or ever prac- tifed, though I think really the beft j and that is, by boiling crude antimony, finely powdered, in a very ftrong lime-water, for about an hour, and then pre- cipitating the ftrained decodtion with a folution of crude tartar, or its cryftals, in boiling water. This decodtion of crude antimony is as limpid as foun- tain-water, but gathers, by ftanding, a thin film, moft beautifully variegated with all the colours of rainbow. However, this perfectly limpid liquor, on the affufion of a vegetable or mineral acid, imme- diately becomes turbid, and of a deep faffron-colour, and a great deal of an orange-coloured antimonial fulphur C SS5 3 fulphur precipitates, juft as in jhe common way of precipitating the decodtion of the fcoria of the regu- lus, or hepar antimonii. Though this fulphur au- ratum, as well as the other, like the alchemiftical gold, fo much talked of, and expedted, by the adepts, is much greater in profpedt than reality ; for when duly walked, feparated, and dried, it fcarce amounts to the fortieth part of what it feemed to be at the time of precipitation. I take this fulphur to be ra- ther milder, and more fixed, than that from the fcoria : however, here alfo is an abundance of regu- line parts, as is evident from the orange-colour, and the emetic quality, which this alfo poffeffes. This decodtion may as well be precipitated with juice of lemons or Seville oranges (which give the brighteft- coloured precipitate) j or by a folution of fal ammo- niac, or frefh urine : even common faliva will do it ; for, on taking a fpoonful of this perfedtly limpid decodtion into my mouth, it in an inftant turned intenfely yellow : fo that not only vegetable and mi- neral acids will precipitate this antimonial decodtion, but likewife neutral falfc. This decodtion of antimony in lime-water ferves alfo to a further end j for the mineral, thus boiled, may be in a great meafure deprived of its fuperficial fulphur, efpecially if boiled a fecond or third time in frefh ftrong lime-water. And then the powder, well wafhed and dried, is at fit for making regulus, or glafs of antimony, as when the ftibium is roafted and calcined in the common way. And perhaps antimony, thus prepared, may be more effedual in many cafes, than the crude, when given internally : 4 C 856 ] it often pukes, and purges gently, if given to ten or fifteen grains, efpecially on the firft ufe of it. It appears then, from what hath been faid above, that fulphur auratum, kermes mineral, Ruffel’s pow- der, or Wilfon’s panacea of antimony without fire, are all of the fame nature, though indeed fomewhat different in their ftrength, and pretty uncertain in their operation ; and therefore require a careful hand to prepare, and a good head to adminifler them with advantage. For the reguline principle will be much more predominant in the fcoriae of the very fame kind of regulus of antimony, if it is kept for a long time in a brifk fire, than it would be, if for a much fhorter time ; not to mention what I have faid be- fore, as to the manner of precipitating, &c. the ful- phur auratum. And kermes mineral differs not a little, as prepared with a ftronger or weaker lixi- vium, as more or lefs carefully wafhed and edulco- rated, and as fpirit of wine is, or is not, at lafl de- flagrated with it. Whoever would give them, fhould begin with fmall dofes, as a grain or two ; but, as he finds they agree, may gradually increafe to eight or ten, efpecially if they are intimately incorporated with any refinous extradt, natural balfam, or the like. But the dofes fhould by no means too quickly lucceed one the other ; for folid antimonials may lie a confiderable time in the body without any fenfible effedt, and yet, at length, operate all on a fudden, with exceeding great violence; particularly when wine, cyder, or any vegetable acid, are fwallowed upon them. Though common fait, fluxed with antimony, feems to do little more than promote its fufion, and [ 857 3 and therefore is commonly added, in fmall quantities, in preparing liver of antimony, and regulus medici- nalis, yet its highly concentrated acid hath a very pe- culiar effed on the reguline fubftance, rendering it not only much more volatile, but likewife exceffive- ly cauftic, as is feen in common butter or oil of an- timony ; for, in this preparation, the fublimate cor- rofive contributes nothing but its moft highly de- phlegmated and moft penetrating acid fait, which the regulus more ftrongly attrads than the mercury; and thefe, uniting, form a moft corrofive liquid, which comes over by diftillation ; from which is precipitated, by the affufion of common water, what is very improperly called mercurius vitas, as it hath nothing of mercury in it but the name, and is, in truth, when duly edulcorated with boiling water, a mere regulus antimonii, as plainly appears when it is melted. Though there are feveral other ways (and thefe too lefs dangerous) of making butter of antimony ; yet this procefs with fublimate corrofive fhews the regulus naked as it were, when precipi- tated, and the antimonial fulphur left behind with the mercury, which are eafily fublimed into cinna- bar : fo that this alfo confirms the above dodrine ; for with well purified regulus antimonii and fubli- mate corrofive no cinnabar can be prepared; there being no more fulphur in the regulus than is barely neceflary to prefer ve the metallic form and conftitu- tion. I have but feldom ufed mercurius vitas in my pradice, and that many years ago in fome maniacal cafes : it always proved a very churlifti medicine, and I foon grew weary of it. If any one is inclined 1 Q_ to [ 858 3 to try any thing of this kind, I would recommend a preparation of the celebrated Dr. Stahl $ viz. pour by little at a time, and flow degrees, near treble the quantity of good alcohol vini on rectified butter of antimony: as a confiderable heat at firft arifes on the mixture, it immediately grows milky, and a very white gelatinous kind of mafs foon precipitates. This digefted for a day or two, in a very gentle heat, then fufficiently edulcorated with boiling water, dried and deflagrated with fpirit of wine, gives a powder much fofter in operation than the common mercurius vita?, though ftill emetic, and, as the ProfefTor fays, greatly fudorific and anodyne. The dofe three or four grains. I find it fweats very largely, efpccially when it ope- rates little by vomit, or ftool, as indeed molt of the draflic antimonials will do. Maets recommends an- other preparation of mercurius vita?, under the title of purgans ex antimonio fecuriflimum ; which is made by melting one part of mercurius vitae with two parts of nitre, and then well grinding this mafs with an equal quantity of common fait. This done, let the fait be well wafhed off, and the mafs well edulcorated. This indeed I find fo fecure a medicine, that it differs very little iii virtue from common bezoar mineral : the reafon will eafily appear to any one, who confiders the following obfervations : Antimonium diaphoreticum, and cerufs of anti- mony, are little more than the dead allies of that mi- neral, deprived of its internal or metallizing fulphur by repeated deflagrations with falt-petre ; fo that I think little can be expe&ed from them in a medici- nal way, both the one and the other being an in- active calx, in which the reguline form and con- texture [ 8S9 ] texture are quite deftroyed ; infomuch that aqua re- gia, which adts fo readily on crude antimony, or its regulus, will not touch thofe, much lefs diffolve them : an argument, that the metallic nature of the antimony is greatly deftroyed in thefe preparations. And though they are both reducible, by a proper flux, to regulus again, yet never without the addi- tion of fome phlogifton, or fulphureous fubftance. And thus indeed may any calx of antimony, pre- pared in the humid or dry way, be converted into regulus by fluxing in clofe veflfels with fome inflam- mable ingredient : which fhews, that both the form and virtue of the regulus depend, in a great meafure, on the fulphureous principle, as well as the metallic earth. I know not whether it may be here worth noting by the way, that antimonial calx, reduced with mineral fulphur, takes a flriated form; but with an animal or vegetable phlogifton the htminotft) appearance of common regulus of antimony. Is this from the vitriolic acid only ? Mercurius vits, fluxed per fe , hath alfo this aculeated or needle-like appearance : whence ? This likewife is really the cafe in the moft per- fect metallic bodies, which loofe their metalleity, as Becher calls it, as malleability, and other metallic properties, by an intire deftrudtion of their internal metallic or combining fulphur, as is feen when metals are calcined by the burning-glafs, or an intenfe culi- nary fire. This internal fulphur is probably what Albertus Magnus means by the humidum undtuofum fubtile, which, he fays, is the prima materia me- tallorum, and is intirely analogous to the combin- ing fulphur, or oil of vegetables, which binds the y 0^2 • very uimtrui [ 86o ] very particles of the ftamina, and organifed parts to- gether, and which, when totally burnt off, leaves the whole in afhes. But here, by the way, it fee ms evident, that the iulphureous pabulum, fo neceftary to the reduction of an antimonial calx, is very dif- ferent from the very fubftance of light, or fire : for though a vaft deal of the adual light, or fire, adheres to the calx, as is manifeft from the great augmenta- tion of weight in calcining regulus of antimony by the fun- beams, or a culinary fire, yet it by no means contributes to its metallic ftate ; on the contrary it quite deftrqys it; and the fun-beams, or particles of fire, do not combine, but fcatter, the reguline or metallic parts, by deftroying the bond of union, the internal fulphur. In like manner oil of vitriol, or fpirit of nitre, two concentrated and exceedingly fiery acids, tear abroad regulus of antimony, and reduce it to a calx, by letting loofe the phlogifton, or fulphu- reous principle, whence the metallic fubftance is quite decompofed. And that this is the cafe, feems evident from the very ftrong fulphureous fmell, that ariles, when thefe acids are poured on antimony. In- deed oil of vitriol takes up the inflammable part of antimony, and unites with it into an adual mineral fulphur. It feems then, that thefe fiery acids ad: on antimony very nearly in the fame manner as the fun-beams, or adual fire; and this is one argument, amongft many others, of the very great affinity be- tween light and acids ; which Sir Xfaac Newton long ago hinted. That the deftrudion of the internal fulphur of the reguline fubftance, in thefe calcinations, is the de- ftrudion of the reguline form, and of courfe of the 2 emetic [ 86l ] emetic power of the antimony, appears in part from1 what I have faid above, and will be more manifefl by attending to the following experiments. If merely equal quantities of antimony and nitre are deflagrat- ed, and melted together, only fo much of the exter- nal inveloping fulphur is confumed, as to leave the reguline fpicula naked, and capable of very ftrongly irritating the coats of the ftomach, &c. But if three parts of nitre are taken to one of antimony, by the repeated ftrong deflagration, not only the external but the internal fulphur alfo is totally diffipated, and the mafs reduced to an inert calx. Thus likewife iron, tin, and copper, with a double or treble quan- tity of nitre, are reduced to allies, and demetallized.. A little more than two parts of pure nitre to one of regulus antimonii reduces it to an innoxious calx, as there is much lefs fulphur to be burnt off in the re- gulus than in the crude antimony : and about am equal quantity of falt-petre quite deftroys the viru- lence of glafs of antimony, as in it there remained only juft fulphur enough to preferve the reguline na- ture. So five parts of nitre to two of mercurius vitas- convert it into an afliiw-fubftance, or kind of bezoar mineral. But of this enough — What nitre doth by- deflagration, the burning- glafs doth by the intenfe force of the concentrated fun-beams ; by which an- timony, its regulus, and glafs, are turned to a mere calx, the whole of the fulphur being quite burnt up. Nay, when any of thele are a long time expofed*. to the adion even of a common flrong fire, they are. reduced to mere allies, which can neither be run in- to regulus or glafs again, but by the help of fome; phlogifton, as animal, vegetable,. or mineral, fulphur. And: l/ULt fUSt' \ [ 862 ] And the fame is neceflary to the reduction of the calx of iron, tin, copper, ©V. That there remains no fulphur in any antimonial calx, fo prepared, is mani- feft, in that no one of them will deflagrate with nitre, nor be reduced to a reguline flate, without adding fome phlogifton. That the reguline nature and contexture are deftroyed in thefe preparations, appears in that they are not at all adted upon by aqua regia, which fo perfectly and readily diflfolves any antimonial regulus : and hence alfo they are utterly devoid of an emetic quality. But in all thefe calcinations with nitre, three parts at leafl: of that fait muft be ufed to one of the crude antimony, or the internal fulphur will not be fuffi- ciently burnt off, and the reguline fpicula fo far de- ftroyed as to leave an inert calx : for if two parts only of falt-petre are employed, it proves ff ill emetic, as is feen in what Boerhaave calls antimonii emeti- cum mitius : fo alfo if the nitre be confiderably re- duced, in the preparation of the cerufs of antimony, that likewife will remain very draftic. If equal quantities of nitre and glafs of antimony are ex- pofed for fome time, in a clean crucible, to a brifk lire, a very beautiful calx, or diaphoretic antimony, comes out, but altogether inadtive : if two-thirds however, or half only, of nitre is ufed, the calx is nothing fo white (the fulphur not being quite burnt off); and thence it remains (till emetic, efpecially if only half falt-petre is projected with the antimony. Upon this foundation may be made feveral forts of antimonial powders, more or lefs adtive, as more or lefs nitre is ufed j which, prepared with care, and given with judgment, may prove of conliderable fervice I l • C 863 ] fervice in medicine, much more fo furely than the common antimonium diaphoreticum, or cerufs of antimony. But, in all thefe calcinations, not only the quantity, but the quality alfo, of the falt-petre fhould be well confidered ; for fome nitre greatly abounds with com- mon fait, and hence lefs corrects, as it is called, or rather deftroys, the regulus. But I great' y prefer the infufion of the glafs, regu- lus, or crocus of antimony, in found generous wine, to any other preparation of that mineral, as by far the moft certain, fafe, and effectual ; and the vinum antimoniale made with the glafs, or regulus, I think the beft : for unlefs the liver of antimony is carefully prepared with a due quantity of nitre, and a proper degree of fire, it cannot be depended on, as being fometimes fixonger, fometimes weaker, and fome- times it throws up no feparable fcorias ; which makes it, cceteris paribus , confiderably weaker. Befides, the hepar fhould be finely powdered, and well edul- corated with repeated ablutions (or rather decodlions) in hot water ; otherwife much of the alcalized nitre will adhere to the hepatic crocus, and enervate the power of the vinous menftruum. This was not formerly attended to fo much as it ought to have been; and I well remember, when the vinum bene- di&um, as then called, was ftrangely different the one from the other. Certainly, when prepared with true glafs of antimony, or pure regulus, there is not this uncertainty. If the martial regulus is ufed, it may in fome fmall degree alfo participate of a fer- rugineous principle. The wine fhould be always carefully filtered, after fufficient infufion. In this infufion [ 864 ] infufion of the glafs or regulus of antimony on wine, the reguline fubftance is diffolved by that faponaceous fpirituous, tartareous menftruum, and the reguline part becomes moll highly attenuated ; otherwife it would not fo readily pafs with the wine through the clofefl filtre, and remain fo long fufpended, and in- timately incorporated with the wine, and fo remain for years together. So that antimony, fo prepared, is in folutis principiis, as it were; or rather is thus ren- dered a kind of highly fubtilized liquid tartar eme- tic, which poflefles the whole power and virtue of ftibium, as it is potent enough to give a very flrong irritation to the flomach and intellines, if taken to the quantity of an ounce or two ; and yet, in a fmaller dofe of two or three drachms, it only caufes a naufea, gentle puke, and a ftool or two, if neither a fweat, or very high perforation : but, from thirty to fixty or eighty drops, it generally proves merely an alterative and diaphoretic, palling through the in- moll recelfes, and ultimate ramifications, of the whole vafcular fyllem, with little or no dilfurbance to nature, and yet evidently promotes all the animal fecretions and excretions, particularly thofe of the fkin, intellines, urinary palfages, and falival dudfs, by gently irritating the whole nervous and vafcular compages. As this antimonial wine then fo readily mixes with the blood and animal humours, and palfes off fo freely and eafily through all the outlets of the body, it may be given with fafety, and repeated with fuccefs, two, three, or even four times in twenty- four hours, in fmall dofes, and fo continued for days together : whereas the folid antimonial preparations are . . C 865 1 are very uncertain in their operation, fometimes lying a long time in the domach and bowels before they exert any fenfible effeCt; and then, at once, irritat- ing with «fo much violence and obdinacy, that the patient is too often quite exhauded before the force of the antimonial. And this is not a little to be feared, and fometimes a&ually happens, when kermes mineral, fulphur auratum, crocus antimonii mitior, and even regulus medicinalis, and other dibiate pow- ders, or pills, are given, and too foon and frequently repeated, as every one mud know, who hath freely dealt in fuch fort of medicines ; a hypercatharfis fometimes, all at once, and unexpectedly, coming on, efpecially on drinking a glafs of wine, cyder, or other vegetable acids. Befides, when antimonials are given in fubdance, they mud fil'd undergo a didolution in the domach, before they can pais the laCteals, and be mixed with the blood, fo as to aCt as alteratives, diaphoretics, &c. Now, in this liquid preparation the reguline part is already difiolved, and mod exquifitely attenuated, fo that it paifes into the blood with the utmod facility. It fliould be moreover obferved, that, in this form, antimony may be given in the mod agreeable man- ner, without even being perceived, or creating any more didade than the wine it was made on. A thing of fome confequence truly, when we have to do with fqueamidi patients, particularly with children, to whom it may be necelTary to give repeated dofes of the medicine. It is certainly then much in favour of this preparation, that it is fo agreeable, and may be fo eafily concealed, and given in any proper liquor; and this, I fay, to children, as well as grown perfons. 5 R There [ 866 3 There is many times the ftrongeft indication for puking and purging them, and yet it is extremely difficult to give them the common medicines ufual on fuch occafions ; whereas the antimonial wine may be given in their common drink with the utmofl eafe and fafety. I have very frequently given it with fuc- cefs, from ten to thirty drops, to children of a year or two old, in the chin-cough, and afthmatic opprefi- fions, when an attempt to force down more naufeous medicines had endangered a fuffocation and convul- fions. Should it be imagined, that this medicine, being fo fafe and eafy, can have no great efficacy as an al- terative and diaphoretic ; I anfwer, that as it is capa- ble, in a proper dofe, of irritating the ftomach and inteftines fo ftrongly, it cannot be fuppofed, even in very fmall dofes, to lie inactive in the fanguineous and lymphatic arteries ; and both feems, and eventu- ally is, exceedingly well adapted to ftimulate and fcour the whole vafcular fyftem. In confirmation of this,, we find, that when a pretty large dofe of the effence of antimony is given, as three or four drachms, for inftance, a large fweat almoft always fucceeds, if it is not immediately thrown up by vomit. By thus keeping up then, and quickening, the aCtion of the veflels on the contained fluids, the general circulation of the humours is moll effectually promoted ; and indeed fome fuch a ftimulus is very often highly neceflary in the ultimate ramifications of the fanguineous, ferous, and lymphatic arteries, where the motion is naturally exceeding flow, and where ftagnation, and confequent corruption of the ferum and lymph, are very apt to generate a putrid colluvies. [ ^7 ] colluvies. I think one of the ufes of falts of all kii ds, efpecially of common fait, is to aCt as a ge- neral dimulus; and hence the moderate life of it is fo falutary. By thus univerfally dimulating there- fore not only the greated, but alfo the fmalled vef- fels of the body, this medicine greatly tends to re- move all obdruCtions formed, or forming, even in the minuted: canals ; and hence mod: fuccefsfully pro- motes the natural fecretions and excretions j in which, duly performed, health itfelf condfts. In obdinate rheumatifms then, in cold fcorbutic affections, in mod cutaneous difeafes, in adhmatic, leucophlegmatic, and icteric diforders, in old dub- born head-aches, vertigo, epilepfy, and mania, anti- monials are very ufeful, and the vinum antimoniale in particular. In my own practice I have had nu- merous indances of its fuccefs in the above cafes, and have likewife had the pleafure of finding it fucceff- fully ufed by feveral eminent practitioners. Let me further add, before I quit the fubjeCt, that I very frequently give this antimonial wine, or effence of antimony, as I call it, in fome acute as well as chronic diforders, and particularly in ilow fevers, low irregular intermittents and remittents, in catarrhal fevers, in a peripneumonia notha, and even in a true peripneumony, after proper evacuations, to- wards the clofe, when the fpitting is prematurely fup- preffed, and great anxiety and difficulty of breath- ing come on. In like circum dances, it is very pro- per in the fmall-pox alfo ; and I have had the fatil- faCtion, through divine goodnefs, of feeing it many times very happily fucceed in many defperate cafes ; the expectoration returning fometimes with a gentle y R 2 vomiting, [ 868 ] vomiting, fometimes a ftool or two, and fometimej a univerfal kindly fweat. The kermes mineral was formerly given in fuch cafes with aftonifhing fuccefs, and operated much in the fame manner : however, I well know the elfence of antimony is much more fafe and certain ; though the powder had a fuprif- ing reputation in France and Germany, about thirty or forty years ago, and with juftice too, when pro- perly timed and dofed ; but the too precipitate and injudicious ufe of it loon brought it into difrepute. And this is generally the fate of all empirical medi- cines, which are cried up as good in all cafes, and at all times ; for, though they may be really good in themfelves, under a proper adminidration, yet the in- dilcriminate and imprudent ufe of them too often renders them poifons indead of antidotes; as hath, in truth, been the cafe with fome more modern arcana. To conclude, I do not pretend that the obfervations I have here laid down are altogether new; I allow that Far the greater part of them are commonly known, and as fuch I produce them, without particular quota- tions from particular authors, or fetting down pre- cedes at large, which may be eafily confulted in the common books of ehemidry ; knowing alfo that there •are feveral other ways of working, in the great way; much more commodious and cheap, by faving fait— petre, &c. But, if I midake not, I have, in fome meafure, given a - new light into the nature of fti- bium ; at lead have made it more obvious to the younger part of fuch, whofe bufinefs it is to pre- pare and exhibit antimonals, than they will readily - find in any one fingle treadle. And, as ftibiate me^ dicines are now fo much in vogue, this little pieie * • c may [ 869 ] • may not be an improper thing to be put into the hands of ftudents in phyhc : perhaps it may excite even fome of the more experienced to improve and afcertain the virtues and dofes of antimonials, which at prefent are not a little undetermined. Befides, I had alfo a further view in drawing it up, which is to recommend the ufe of what I have called effence of antimony, or the vinum antimo- niale (for the aromatic in it is of no great import- ance), as much the moll; fafe and ufeful preparation thereof. I have ufed a great variety of antimonial medicines for near thirty years ; and muft fay, from fufficient experience, I greatly prefer this to any other, though I am far from condemning all the fo- lid preparations of antimony ; but I affert no one .of them hath greater or better effedts in medicine than this ; and very few, if any, can be given with equal fafety. I think I may fay of many of them; in the words of Celfus, “ His varie medici utuntur, then, if a good obfei vation of the variation can be taken, at any time of the day, the latitude may be nearly afcertained by the lines on theC hart. Secondly, The advantage that will arife by extend-^ ing the variation line^ over the land, as well as fea, will be the confirmation of thofe drawn over the waters 3 r 8?8 ] waters ; the continuation of which, from fea to fea, will be thereby confpicuous, and we fhall be enabled to judge better of their nature, properties and caufes; and, if the fame can be extended over all the parts of the known world, the eye will be prefented, at one view, with the different degrees of attraction, with which all the parts of this great magnet are endued, at the time when fuch lines are drawn j This the writers would have attempted to have done, in the year 1 744., if they could have procured a fuffi- cient number of obfervations for that purpofej but although they frequently advertifed their requeft, in the public papers, no affiftance was thereby ob- tained. As the writers have by experience found, that the proper period for re-examining the date of the varia- tion is now at hand, without which the above-men- tioned valuable advantages of the Chart will be loft to the mariner ; they have determined to coiled and compare all the obfervations that can be procured by them, in the fpace of a year from this time, or fo long after as the return of the Ead-India fhips then next following j if fuch delay fhould become necef- fary, by the arifing of any doubt in confequence of fuch comparifonj and then to publifh the refult of their procefs, in fuch a manner as fhall feem mod; convenient. Several of the learned and ingenious have endea- voured to account for this phenomenon of the varia- tion of the magnetic-needle, and the continual mu- tation thereof ; whence different methods of com- putation have been propofed, whereby they have en- deavoured to determine what the quantity of the 2 variation [ 879 ] variation will (according to their feveral hypothefes) be at any given place and time : The above propo- rtion, therefore, will (if carried into execution) bring thefe feverally to the teft, and enable the judicious either to approve or rejedt them ; the writers being determined (as was their former plan) to publifli no- thing which lhall not be warranted by the real ob- fervations, which fhall come into their hands, and fhall leave the application thereof (as to each hypo- thecs) to others : if any of them fhould be fo far confirmed, by this examination and comparifon, as to give juft ground for a calculation, their labour will be at an end ; but if not, they humbly recom- mend the continuance of fuch a periodic operation, as they now propofe to undertake, being the only means of attaining fuch a deftrable event, and of fup- plying the defedt till it can be obtained. To whom then can they fo properly apply, as to the Royal Society of London, for afliftance, in a work of fo much confequence to trade and naviga- tion, and from whence fo valuable an addition to natural knowledge may poflibly accrue : It has been the peculiar honour of the many illuftriou> members of this body, that they have deduced their knowlege fjom experiments, and not from hypothefes; and (as that is the method now propofed) the writers of this paper humbly defire of this Society, as a body, and of each individual that compofes it, to commu- nicate to them fuch obfervations of the variation as they have already made within a few years laft paft, or fhall hereafter make, before the 2 f th of March y 6, either by fea or land 5 and (as all mankind are £ 88o ] are equally interefted in this refearch) that they will endeavour to procure the like favour from their fever al correfpondents in foreign countries : They beg leave to allure the Society, and its particular members, that they fhall receive a grateful acknow- legement of this favour, granted ; and an early in- formation of any thing relating hereto, which the writers fhall conceive to be worthy their atten- tion. the END of Vo u XLVII1. Additions [ 88, ] Additions and Corrections in Vol. xlviii. PAGE 19, to the end of the third paragraph relating to Sir lfaac Newton's Chronology, add this Note : I think myfelf bound, for the fake of truth, to fay, that I was mif- informed in what I have laid here concerning Sir lfaac Newton’s Chro- nology ; for I find fince, that the five firft chapters of that work had received his finifhing hand ; that he had refolved to pubhfh it in his life-time ; and that it was only the Jhort Chronicle, which had been fur- reptitioufly tranflated and printed in France. I am greatly obliged to the prefent Lord Bifhop of Bangor for this intimation, fupported by many curious particulars of what patted in converfation on that head between Sir lfaac and his Lordfhip. Page 534. 1. 11. dele the femi colon after vane, and infer t it after broad. —p. 535./. 23. infert a comma after agate, and dele that after like wife. — p. 536. /. 16. for fourth read fourteenth. — p. 602. 1. 9. after contact add a colon ; l. II. inflead of a femicolon after wood, infert a comtna, and the femicolon after varnifh’d. — p. 604. /. 29 .for the other end adls read the other end of the lafl-mentioned bar ads. — 605./. ig. for plate read place; /. 27. for read 2 609. Z-for ^ rea ^ T } /. 1 9 .for I read T. — p.610. 1. 1. dele A Table of; /. 2 for Col. 6. read Col. 7.; after determined add as alfo that in No. 3 Col. 5. In Tab. I. between p. 610 and 6 1 1 . in the Title of the Columns g and 1 2. for different parts read difference of parts. In the fame Table, CgI. ill, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th, are fufficiently explained by the titles upon them in the Table. Col. 9th is the difference of the numbers in columns 3d and 7th, and exprettes the differences of expanfion of the bafis and the bar meafured, between the different degrees of heat expreffed in the 10th column ; which co- lumn confifts of the differences between col. 4th and 8th. Col. nth is made by proportioning the numbers in col. 10th, to what they ought to be, upon the fuppofition of an uniform expanfion, in cafe the differ- ence of heat had been conftantly 1 66 degrees of Farenheit. — Col. 12th, 13th, and 14th, are made in the fame manner, from columns 3d and 5th, 4th and 6th, as columns 9th, loth, 1 ith, are made from columns 3d and 7th, 4th and 8th. Col. 15th is made by faying as 1660 is to 66°, fo is any number in col. 1 1 th to its correfpondent one in col. 1 5th; which, was the expanfion quite uniform, or in the fame ratio as that of quickfilver, ought to agree with coi. 14th. Col. 16th contains the differences of col. 14th and 15th, which are the irregularity of the ex- panfion. [ 882 1 panfion, or the deviation of the numbers in col. 14th, from what the/ fhould have been, in cafe the metals had expanded equably N. B. If the numbers in col. 1 ith are added or fubtraded, according to the figns in col. 9th, to or from the conftant number 287.5, which is the expaniion of the bafis, this will give the real expanfion of the bars in parts of the micrometer, by a difference of heat equal to 166 degrees of Farenheit ; taken fomewhat above freezing, and below the boiling heat. The ex- panfion of the bafis for 66“ above the lower heat before-mentioned is 1 14 5. This alfo is a conlfant number ; from or to which if the num- bers in columns 14th and 15th are added or fubtraded, according to the figns in column 9th ; the real expanfions will be given for 66 ; the firft as it turns out from experiment, the other as it fhould turn out upon a fuppofition of equable expanfion ; but as the numbers fo obtained from columns 14th and 15 th will have the fame arithmetical differences as the numbers in 14th and 15th columns have, the irregularity, in proportion to the whole expanfion, will be very little ; and in general fo fmall that it may in a great meafure be owing to fome inaccuracy in making the experiments themfelves. Page 696. line 25. for iOp'b, or K-)p^,r- p.695. 1.4. p. 707. 1.7, 29. p. 715. 1. 10. /or fcopv mM’rnp’1? — p.708. 1. 4. for SENATVS POPVLVSQVE read SENATUS POPVLVS- QVE HONORIS CAVSA— p. 708. 1. 1 x.for DECREED HIM, read DECREED HIM, IN ORDER TO DO HIM HONOVR,— p. 717. I. 7. of the Hebrew infeription for read — P* 724- 1. 23. for eighth read feventh p. 733. 1. 25. for fame, read fame p. 735. 1. 6. for Romans, read the Romans. — p.735. 1- 19. for writers; read writers,— p. 736. 1. 4. for MALACHBELVS read MALACH- BELVS; — p. 737. 1. zo. for of which read of which,— p. 739. 1. 1 .for admit, read admit — p. 748. I. 5. for Nu read Ny— p. 750. 1. 18 .for Aglibolus, and Malachbelus, read Aglibolus and Malachbelus,— p. 750. 1. 25. for Baal Shemefh. read named him Baal Shemefh, AN I N D E X T O T H E Forty-eighth VOLUME O F T H E ■** - . • 1 * :• *- Vhilofophical TranfaSlions, ■ i .. j • ^ * - ' JSj, For the Years 1753 and 1754,, /AGARIC of the Oaky Experiments concerning the Ufe of it in (lopping Haemorrhages, by Mr. Samuel Sharpy P • 59 *• • by Mr. Jofeph Warner y p. 591. — — Some Obfervations on that lately applied after Amputations, with regard to the determining its Species, by Mr. William Watfon , p. 8 1 1. • Letter concerning the Ufe of it as a Styptic, by Mr. Jofeph Warner, p. S 19. ■ from Mr. B. Gooch , p. 814. Ages of Homer -and Hefiody Letter concerning them, from the Rev. Geo. Cojlardy M. A. to the Right Honourable the Earl of Macclesfield , Pref. R. S. p. 441. 5 T Airy INDEX. Air, Obfervations on the Ele&ricity thereof, by the Abb? Maze as, p. 377. Alcyonium molle , p. 359. Altar, Roman , an Account of, with its Infcription, by Sir Francis Drake *, alfo a brief Explication of its Infcription by Dr. John Ward , p. 33. Angles , a Contrivance for meafuring fmall ones, by Mr. John Dollond, p. 178. . Inftrument for meafuring fmall ones, explained by Mr. John Dollond , p. 551. Annuity for Life , concerning its Value, and the Probability of Survivorfhip, by Mr. J. Dodfon , p. 487. Antimony , Medical and Chemical Obfervations upon it, by Dr. John Huxham , p. 832. Antiquities newly difcovered at Portia , p. 825. Appleby , (Mr.) his Procefs to make Sea-water frefh, with fome Experiments therewith, by Mr. William Wat f on, p. 69. Archimedes , Obfervations on Father Kircberh Opinion con- cerning his burning the Fleet of Marcellus, by Dr. James Parfons, p. 6 21. 'Arderon (Mr. William ) Obfervations on the late fevere cold Weather, p. 507. Agronomical Obfervations , made in Surry-Jlreet, London , by Dr. John Bevis , and James Short, M. A. p. 301. B. Baker (Mr. Henry), Account of fome uncommon Foflile Bodies, p. 1 17. — — (Mr. David Erjkine) Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tho. Birch , Seer. R. S. with an Account of an Earthquake felt at Fork the 19th of April 1754, p . 564. Barometer and Weather at Dublin , from 7 March 1752 to 28 February 1753, by Jaw# Simon Efq; p. 320. Barr os (M. De ), Account of his Memoir concerning cer- tain Phenomena obferved by him in the laft Tranfit of Mercury , by J. Short , M. A. p. 361. Belemnites , Diflertation on it by Mr. Guflavus Brander, p. 803. Bevist 1 N £> £ X. Scvis (Dr. John) Letter to James Short , M. A. concerning Mr. Gafcoigne's Invention of the Micrometer, p . 1 90. — — Obfervations of the Tranfit of Mercury over the Sun, May 6, 1753, p. 193. — Aftronomical Obfervations made by him and James Short , M. A. p. 301. Birch (Rev. Thomas, D. D. Seer. R. S.), additional Re- mark to one of Mr. IV. Watfon's, in his Account of the Abbe Nollet* s Letter concerning Eledricity, p. 484. Bond (Dr. John), Experiments and Obfervations on the Copper-Springs at Wicklow in Ireland , in a Letter to Sir Peter Thompfon, Knight, p. 181. Bones foftened and diftorted, an Account of, by Dr. Hofiy, of Paris , p. 26. a remarkable Inftance of their Fragility, Flexibility, and Diffolution, communicated by Dr. John Pringle , p. 297. of an Elephant, found at Leyfdown , in the Ifle of Sheppey , p. 626. Bonnet (Monf. of Geneva ), Extrad of his Letter to Dr. John Clephane , concerning Inoculation, p. 818. Borlafe (Rev. Mr. William ), concerning the great Altera- tions which the Iflands of Sylley have undergone fince the Time of the Antients, p. 55. an Account of a Storm of Thunder and Lightning near Ludgvan in Cornwall, p. 86. Bofe (Profeflfor), Excrad of his Letter to the Right Ho- nourable the Earl of Macclesfield , Pref. R. S. p. 358. Boze (Monf.), Extrad of his Hiftory of the Emperor Hetricus, explained and illuftrated by Medals, by Dr. John Ward, p. 124. Brakenridge (Rev. William , D. D.), Letter to Geo. Lewis Scot , Efq*, concerning the Number of Inhabitants within the London Bills of Mortality, p. 788. Brander (Mr. Gufiavus), Letter to Smart Lethieullier, Efq; with a DilTertation on the Belemnites , p. 803. Brijlol, the Number of People in that City calculated by John Browning , Efq; p. 217. 5 T 2 Browning ; INDEX. Browning ( John , Efq*,)> Calculation of the Number of Peo- ple in the City of Brifol , p. 217. B\Jfus of the Antients, p. 360. C. Calculus , a large one found in a Mare. 7). 8co. Canton (John, M. A.), Electrical Experiments, with an Attempt to account for their feveral Phenomena, with fome Obfervations on Thunder-Clouds, p. 350. Letter to the Right Honourable the Earl of Macclef- Jield , Pref. R. S. concerning fome new EleCtrical Expe- riments, p. 780. Catalogue of Fifty Plants from Chelfea , for 1752, prefented to the Royal Society by Dr. John IVilmer , p. no. of Fifty Plants from Chelfea , for 1753, prefented to the Royal Society by Dr. John IVilmer , p. 528. CataraCt , Second Account of a new Method of opening the Cornea, for taking it away, by Mr. Sam. Sharp , p. 322. Character ( Palmyrene ), an Explication of all the Infcrip- tions therein hitherto publifhed, by the Rev. John Swintony M. A. p. 690. Chevalier (Joannes), Obfervationes eclip/ium fat elli turn Jo~ vis , habitue Ulijfipone , Anno 1 753, f. 546. Obfervatio folis defedus , Ulijfipone habit a die 2 6X OCtobris 1753, p. 546. Circle , fome remarkable Properties of it, ufeful in refolving Fractions of multinomial Denominators into more fimple ones, by Mr. John Landen , p. 56 6. Clairaut (Mr. Alexis )y his TranQation and Explanation of fome Articles of his Book, intituled, Theorie de la Figure de la T erre, p. 73. Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tho. Birch , Seer. R. S. with a Comparifon of M. De Courtevrons and Mr. ]Vhl- ‘t'/'/’s Notions concerning the different Refrangibility of the Rays of Light, p. 776. Clujler- Polype, Letter from Mr. John Ellis to Mr. Peter Collinfon, concerning one, p. 305. Conjlantinople , Account of the late Earthquake there, p. 8 19. Copper INDEX. Copper Springs , in the County of Wicklow , an Account of, by the Rev. Dr. William Henry , p. 94. Experiments and Obfei vations on them by John Bond , M. D. p. 1 8 1 . Coralline , Obfervations on a remarkable one, by Mr. John Ellis , p. 1 1 5. • a particular Species of it defcribed by Mr. John Ellis , p. 504. concerning the animal Life of fome which refemble very minute Trees, p. 627. Cornea , Defcription of a new Method of opening it, in order to extradt the Cornea, by Mr. Samuel Sharp , p. 161. - - Second Account of the new Method of opening it, for taking away theCataradt, by Mr. Sam. Sharp , p. 322. da Cojla ( Emanuel Mendez), Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tho. Birch , Seer. R. S. concerning the Foffil found at Dudley in Staffordjhire , and defcribed in Phil. Tr. N° 496. Cojlard (Rev. George ), Letter to Dr. Bevis, concerning the Tear of the Eclipfe foretold by Thales, p. 17. - ■■ - Letter to Dr. Bevis , concerning an Eclipfe mentioned by Xenophon , p. 155. concerning the Ages of Homer and Hefiod , p. 441. Crufio {Carlo), Account of an extraordinary Difeafe of the Skin, and its Cure, p. 579. Cryjlalline Humour , Defcription of a new Method of ex- tracting it, by opening the Cornea, by Mr. Samuel Sharp , p. 161. D. Demidoff (Monf), Extradl from his Thermometrical Ob- fervations on the Borders of Siberia , after p. 107. Dodfon Mr. James), Extract of a Letter of his to Mr. Wil- liam Mount aim , p. 273. • Letter to the Right Honourable the Earl of Mac- clesfield, Pref. R. S. concerning the Value of an Annuity for Life, and the Probability of Survivorlhip, p. 487. - and Mjountaine (Mefileurs), Advantages of a periodic Review of the Variation of the Needle, p. 875. Dollond 4 INDEX. Ddlloni (Mr. John), Letter to Mr. James Short , concern- ing an Improvement in refradting Telefcopes, p. 103. — Defcription of a Contrivance for meafuring fmall Angles, p. 178. Explanation of an Inftrument for meafuring fmall Angles, p. 551. E. Earthquake , Account of one felt at Tork the 19th of April 1754, by Mr. David Erjkine Baker , p. 564. Account of the Jate one at Confiantinople,p. 819. Eclipfe , concerning the Year of that foretold by Thales , by the Rev. Mr. Geo. Cofiard \ p. 17. an Account of it, by the Rev. IV. Stukely , M. D. p. 221. one mentioned by Xenophon , a Letter from the Rev. Geo. Cofiard , A. M. to Dr. John Bevis , concerning it, p. 155. Eclipfes ( Solar ), a mechanical Contrivance for exhibiting the Time, Quantity, and Duration, of them, in all Places of the Earth, by tsAr. James Fergufon , p. 520. Eclipfium fatellitum Jovis obfervationes Ulijfipone habit te Anno 1753, a Joanne Chevalier, p. 546. Edwards (Mr. George ), Letter to Mr. Peter Collin fon con- cerning the Phealant of Penfylvania , and the Otis minor , p. 499. Electrical Experiments made at Paris, a Letter concerning fome from Mr. Benj. IVilfon to the Right Honourable the Earl of Macclesfield, Pref. R. S. p. 347. • an Attempt to account for their feve- ral Phaenomena, together with fome Obfervations on Thunder-Clouds, by John Canton , M. A. p. 3 50. Electricity of the Air, Obfervations thereon by the Abbe Mazeas, p. 377. Letters concerning it by the Abbe Nollet, p. 201. Anfwers to feveral Queries concern- ing Experiments thereof made with a Kite, by Dr. John Lining , p. 757. Electricity INDEX. Ekftricity of the Air, fome Account of the Effetfls thereof in the County-Hofpital at Shrewfhury , by Dr. Cheney Hart, p. 786. Elephant , feveral Bones of one found at Leys down in the Me of Sheppey , p. 626. Ellis (Mr. John), Obfervations on a remarkable Coralline, p. 1 15. * — Letter to. Mr. Peter Collinfon , concerning a GuHer-Polype, p. 305. — Letter to Mr. Peter Collinfon, concerning a particular Species of Coralline, p. 504. , Letter to Mr. Peter Collinfon, concerning the animal Life of Corallines that look like minute Trees, p. 627. Empyema, its Operation fuccefsfully performed by Mr. Jo- feph Warner, p. 270. Equinoxes, a Treatife on their Preceflion, &c. by M. de St. Jacques de Silvabelle, p. 385. Euler (M.), Letters concerning a Theorem of his, forcor- re£ling the Aberrations in the Objed-Glafles of refra. 825. H. Hemorrhages, Experiments concerning the Ufe of the Aga- ric of the Oak in (topping them, by Mr. S. Sharp , p. 588. by Mr. Jofeph Warner, p. 591. Hales (Rev. Dr. Stephen , D. D.), Account of fome Trials to keep Water and Fifh fweet with Lime-water, p. 826. Hart (Dr. Cheney ), Letter to Mr. William Wat [on, with fome Account of the Effeds of Eledricity in the County- Hofpital at Shrewfbury, p. 786. Heberden (Dr. Thomas), Continuation of the Account of the Weather in Madeira, p. 617. Henry (Rev. Dr. William), Account of an extraordinary Stream of Wind in the PariHies of Thermonomungan and Urney , in the County of Tyrone, p. 1. concerning the Copper-Springs in the County of Wicklow, p. 94. Herculaneum , concerning the Antiquities dug up there, by Signor Camillo Paderni, p. 71. — . Notice of fome Antiquities lately difcovered there, by the Rev. Mr. Jofeph Spencer, p. 486. Extrad of a Letter from Camillo Paderni , re- lating to the late Difcoveries there, p. 821. Hefiod and Homer, concerning their Ages, by the Rev. Geo. Coflard, M. A. p. 441. Hirfi , ( Mr. William ), Account of a Fireball feen at Horn- fey, P- Ill- Holly, Remarks concerning the Sex of it, by Mr. John Martyn , p. 6 13. 5 U Hornet INDEX. Homer and Hefioa, concerning their Ages ; by the Rev. Geo. Cojtard , M. A. p. 441. Horn fey. Account of a Fire-ball feen there, by Mr. Wrn. Hirft , p. 772. Hojiy (Dr. Ambrofe ), an Account of the Cafe ok Anne Eli- zabeth Queriot, of Paris , whofe Bones were diftorted and foltened, by Dr. Ambrofe Hcfly , p. 26. Human Life , Attempt to eftablilh a Rule for its probable Duration, by JF. Kerfeeboom , p. 239. llume (Dr. Francis ), Experiments on Fifh and Flefh pre- f'erved in Lime-water, p. 163. Huxbam (Dr. Obfervations medical and chemical upon Antimony, p. 832. (Mr.), Account of feveral Bones of «n Elephant found at Leyfdown in the lfland of Shcppey , in Two Let- ters to Dr. James Parfons , p. 626. Incarville (Father De), Letter from Pekin to the late Dr. Cromwell Mortimer , Seer. R. S. p. 253. Inhabitants , Number of, within the London Mortality Bills, p. 788. Inoculation , Extradt of a Letter from Monf. Bonnet of Geneva, to Dr. John Clephane, concerning it, p. 818. Infcription, Attempt to explain an ancient Reman one, cut upon a Stone lately found at Bath ; by Dr. John Ward, P • 3 32- (Palmyrene), and Explication of all hitherto publi fired, by the Rev. John Swinton, M. A. p.690. K. Kerfeboom (William), View of the Relation between Dr. Halley's Tables and M. De Buffon's Notions, for ella- blilhing a Rule for the probable Duration of human Life, p. 239. Kircher (Father), Obfervations upon his Opinion concern- ing the burning the Fleet of Marcellus by Archimedes 4 by Dr. James Parfons, p. 621. Kite (eledtrical),. Anfwer to feveral Queries concerning Ex- periments made with it, by Dr. John Lining , p. 757. Landen INDEX. L. Landen (Mr. John ), an Inveftigation of fome remarkable Properties of the Circle, Ific. p. 5 66 . Language and Charadcr ( Palmyrene ), and Explication of all the Infcriptions therein hitherto publilhed, in Five Letters from the Rev. John Swinton , M. A. to the Rev. Dr. Tho. Birch , Seer. R. S. p. 690. Letter , from the Rev. Mr. George Cofiard, to Dr. Bevis , concerning the Year of the Eclipfe foretold by Thales , P • I7- Letters relating to a Theorem of M. Euler's, for correding the Aberrations in the Objed-glaffes of refrading Te- lefcopes, p. 287. Lewis ( William , M. B.) experimental Examination of a metallic Subftance, called Platina , faid to be found in gold Mines, p. 638. Lime-water , Trials to keep Water and Fifh fvveet with it, by the Rev. Stephen Hales , D. D. p. 82 6. Lining (Dr. John), Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tho. Birch , Seer. R. S. concerning the Quantity of Rain fallen in South -Carolina, from January 1738 to December 1752, p. 284. Anfwers to feveral Queries fent to him concerning his Experiment of Eledricity with a Kite, P- 757 • . . . Anfwer to his Query concerning the Death of Profeffor Richman, by Mr. William W atfon, p. 765. De L'ljle (Monf. J. N.), Letter to the Rev. James Brad- ley, D. D. about the Parallax of Mars, p. 512. Logarithmic Lines on Gunter's Scale, their Conftrudion, by Mr. John Robertfon, p. 96. London Mortality Bills, Number of Inhabitants within them, A 78 8* M. Macclesfield (Right Honourable George Earl of), Extrad from the Thermometrical Obfervations of M. Demidoff at Solekamjky, on the Borders of Siberia , after/?. 107. 3 U 2 Machine INDEX. Machine for meafuring a Ship’s Way at Sea, Experiments on it, by Mr. John Smeaton, p. 532. Mackenzie (Dr. Murdock ), Letter from Conjlantmople con- cerning the late Earthquake there, p. 8x9. Madeira , Continuation of the Account of the . Weather there, by Dr. Tbo. Heberden , p. 6 17. Mare , a large Calculus found in one, p. 800. Mars , his Parallax determined from Obfervations of the Rev. Dr. James Bradley , D. D. and the Abbe De la Caille , p. 512. * Martyn (Mr. John), Remarks concerning the Sex of Holly, P- 613. Mazeas (Abbe), Obfervations on the Electricity of the Air, p. 377. Melvil (Mr. T.), Letter to the Rev. Dr. James Bradley , with a Difcourfe concerning the different Refrangibility of the Rays of Light, p. 261. Mercury , Obfervations of his Tranfit over the Sun, May 6 , 1753, by Dr. Rmx, and James Short, M. A. p. 192. ■ his Tranfit over the Sun, May 6, 1753, obferv’d at Antigua, by Mr. IVilliam Shervington , p. 318. — Pheno- mena obferved therein, by. M. De Barr os, p. 361. Micrometer , of the Invention of a new one, by the late Servington Savery , Efq; in a Letter to Mr. James Short , p. 165. of Mr. Gafcoign' s Invention thereof, in a Let- ter from Dr. John Bevis to Mr. James Short , p. iqo. Aliles (Rev. Henry , D. D), Obfervations on the late fevere cold Weather, p. 510. Letter to John Canton, M. A; concerning the late hard Weather, p. 525. Aliller (Mr. Philip ), Letter to Mr. Wm. Wat Jon, concern- ing a Miftake of Profeffor Gmelin, concerning the Sphon - dylium vulgar e hirfutum , of C. B. p. 153. Mount aine (Mr. William), Extract of a Letter from Mr. James Dodfon to him, p. 273. Mount nine INDEX. Mountaine and Dodfin (Meffieurs), Advantages of a pe- riodic Review of the Variation of the magnetic Needle, P- 8 75- N. Nollet (Abbe de), Account of his Letters concerning Elec- tricity, by Mr. William Watfoi h P- 201. additional Remark to one of Mr. Wat- fon's , on his Letter on Ele&ricity, by the Rev. Tho. Birch , D. D. Seer. R. S. p. 484. O. Ohfervations of Mercury's Tranfit over the Sun, May 6, 17 53, by Dr. John Bevis and Mr. James Short, p. 192. by Mr. William Shervington , in Antigua, P • 3l8- • (aftronomical) in Surry-Jlreet, by Dr. John Bevis , and James Short, M. A. p . 301. on the late fevere cold Weather, by Mr. Wm. Arderon , and the Rev. Hen. Miles, D. D. p. 507. — ■ for determining the Parallax of Mars , made by the Rev. James Bradley , D. D. and the Abbe de la Caille , p. 512. medical and chemical upon Antimony, by Dr. John Huxham, p. 832. Otis minor , Account of, by Mr. George Edwards, p. 502. P. Paderni ( Camillo ) concerning the Antiquities dug up at. Herculaneum , p. 71. Extract of his Letter to Stho. Hollis, Efq; p. 634. Extract of a Letter to Eho. Hollis, Efq*, relating to the late Difcoveries at Herculaneum, p. 821. Palmyrene , fee Language. Parallax of Mars determined, from Obfervations by the Rev. James Bradley, D. D. and the Abbe de la Caille p. 512. Parfons (Dr. James ) Obfervations upon Father Linker's Opinion concerning the Burning of the Fleet of Marceh- lus by Archimedes , p. 621. Bediculus marinus major trilobosr p. 286. Pm I N D E X.‘ Penfylvania Pheafant, a Letter from Mr. Geo. Edwards to Mr .P eter Collinfon concerning it and the Otis minor, p.499. Pheafant of Penfylvania defcribed, by Mr. Geo. Edwards , p. 499. Plants , Catalogue of Fifty, from Chelfea , for 1752, pre- fented to the R. Society by Dr. JohnWilmer , p. no. Catalogue of Fifty, from Chelfea , for 1753, pre- fented to the R. Society by Dr. John JVilmer , p. 52 8. Platina del Pinto , experimental Examination of it, by Dr. William Lewis , p. 6 38. Pococke (Rev. Richard , L L. D.) further Account of the Giants Caufeway , in the County of Antrim in Ireland , p. 22 6. on the fame Subjed, in a Letter to the Rev. Pho.. Birch , D. D. Sec. R. S. p. 238. Portici , Antiquities newly dilcovered there, p. 825. Preceffion of the Equinoxes, a Treatife thereon, by M. De St. Jaques Silvabelle , p. 385. Pringle {Ox. John), An Account of the Gaol-Fever with which feveral Perlons were feized in Newgate , y». 42. ■ Account of a remarkable Fragility, Flexibility, and Diflolution, of the Bones, p. 297. Pyrometer, Defcription of a new one, with a Table of Ex- periments made therewith, bv Mr. John Smeaton, p. ^98. R. /fa/# fallen in 5. Carolina, from Jan. 1738 to Decern. 1752, by Dr. James Lining , />. 284. ifajj of Light, Difcourle concerning their different Refran- gibility, by Mr. P. Melvil, p. 261. Ref railing Telefcopes, an Improvement of them, by Mr. J. Dollond, p. 103. Refrangibility (different) of the Rays of Light, Monf. Cour- tivron's and Mr. Melvil s Notions about it compared, p. 776. Richman (Profefior), Anfwcr to Dr. Lining's Query con- cerning his Death, by Mr. IVm. Wat f on, p. 765. Robertfcn (Mr. John), the Conftrudion of the Logarithmic Lines on Gunter's Scale, p. p6. S. INDEX. S. S Avery (late Serving ton, Efq-,) concerning a Paper of his, re- lating to his Invention of a new Micrometer, by James Short , M. A. p. 1 65. Satellitum Jovis Eclipftum Obfervationes UliJJipone habita Anno 1753? a Joanne Chevalier, p. 546. Sharp (Mr. Samuel) Defcription of a new Method of open- ing the Cornea, in order to extract the cry ftalline Humour, p. 1 61. — fecond Account of a new Method of opening the Cornea, for taking away the CataraCt, p. 322. Experiments concerning theUfe of Agaric of the Oak in curing Haemorrhages, p. 588. Shervington (Mr. IVilliam) his Obfervation of Mercury's Tranfit over the Sun May 6, 1753, at Antigua, p. 318. Short (James, M. A.) Letter to the E. of Macclesfield , con- cerning a Paper of the late Servington Savery’s, Efqj rela- ting to his Invention of a new Micrometer, p. 165. — — his Obfervations of the Tranfit of Mercury over the Sun May 6, 1753, /). 192. Aftronomical Obfervations made by him and Dr. Be- vis, p. 301. Shrewjbury, fome Account of the Effects of Electricity in the County-Hofpital there, by Dr. Cheney Hart, p. 786. Silvabelle (M. de St. Jaques de), a Treatife on the Preceffion of the Equinoxes, &c. p. 385. Simon (James,. Elq-,) Account of the Barometer and Wea- ther ox Dublin, from 7 March 1752, to 28 Febr. 1753, p. 320. Simpfon (Profeflor, of Glafgow), Commentary on an obfeure Pafiage in Albert Gerard , p. 368.- Skin, an extraordinary Difeafe of it, and its Cure, p. 579. Smeaton (Mr. John), Defcription of a new Pyrometer, with a Table of Experiments made therewith, £.59 8. — Account of fome Experiments on a Machine for meafuring a Ship’s Way at Sea, p. 532. Solis Defeffus Obfervatio Uliffipone habit a Die 2 6°. Otlobris. 1 753, a Joanne Chevalier , p. 546. Spencer INDEX. Spencer (Rev. Jofeph ), Notice of fome Antiquities lately difcovered at Herculaneum, p. 486. Sphondylium vulgar e hirfutum , C. B. ProfefTor Gmel'tn s Mif- take about it, by Mr. Philip Miller , p. 153. Stukeley (Rev. William , M. D.), Account of the Eclipfe pre- dicted by Thales, p. 221. Swinton {John, M. A.), An Explication of all the Infcrip- tions in the Palmyrene Language and Charadters hitherto publifhed, in Five Letters from the Rev. John Swinton , M. A. to the Rev. Dr. Tho. Birch, Sec. R. S. p. 690. Sylley Iflands, an Account of the great Alterations they have undergone fince the Time of the Antients, by the Rev. Mr. William Borlafe , p. 55. T. Telefcopes (refradting), an Improvement of them, by Mr. John Do llond , p. 103. Tetricus (Emperor), his Hiflory explained by Medals, p. 124. Thales, concerning the Year of the Eclipfe foretold by him, by the Rev. Mr. Geo. Cojlard, p. 1 7. • Account of the Eclipfe predidted by him, by the Rev. W. Stukely, M. D. p. 221. Thermometrical Obfervations on the Borders of Siberia , Ex- tradl of Monf. Demidoff’ s, p. 107. • Com- panion of different ones, by Mr. W. Watfon, p. 108. Thunder and Lightning near Ludgvan in Cornwall , an Ac- count of, by the Rev. Mr. Win. Borlafe , p. 86. Tull (Mr. Samuel ), An Account of his Method of caftrating Fiih, by Mr. Wm. Watfon , p. 878. V. Variation of the Magnetic Needle, Advantages of a periodic Review thereof, p. 875. W. Ward (Dr. John), an Explication of the Infcription on a Roman Altar, found at Tork , p. 33. Abftradt of Monfieur Bozc's Hiftory of the Emperor Tetricus , ibid, Ward INDEX. tV ard (Dr. John), An Attempt to explain an antient Ro- man JLnfcription, lately found at Bath , p. 332. Warner (Mr. Jofeph , Surgeon), fuccefsful Operation of the Empyema, p. 270. ■ Letter concerning the Ufe of Agaric as a Styptic, p. 8 13. Watfoti (Mr. William ) Account of Mr. Appleby's Procefs to make Sea Water frefh ; with fome Experiments there- with ; p. 69. * Comparifon of different thermome- trical Obfervations in Siberia , p. 108. ■ — Account and Extraft of Dr. Gmelin's Flora Sibirica, p. 141. Account of the Abbe Nollet's Letter concerning Electricity, p. 201. Anfwer to Dr. Lining's Query con- cerning the Death of Profeffor Richman , p. 7 65. Letter to Charles Gray , Efq-, in rela- tion to a large Calculus found in a Mare, p. 800. • Some Obfervations upon the Agaric, lately applied after Amputations, with regard to the de- termining its Species, p. 811. . Account of Mr. Samuel Full's Method of caftrating Fifh, p. 870. Weather , Obfervations on the late Cold, by Mr. William Arderon , and the Rev. Henry Miles , D. D. p. 507. , Continuation of the Account of it in Madeira , by Dr. Thomas Heberden , p.617. hard, Letter from the Rev. Dr. Miles to John Canton , M. A. concerning it, p. 525. Wilmer (Dr. John), Catalogue of Fifty Plants from Chelfea , for the Year 1752, prefented to the Royal Society, p. 1 10. — Catalogue of Fifty Plants from Chelfea , for 1753* prefented to the Royal Siciety, p. 528. Wilfon (Mr. Benjamin) Letter to the Right Hon. the Earl of Macclesfield , Prefident to the Royal Society. 5 X Wind, I INDEX. Wind, Account of an extraordinary Stream of, in the Pa- rifhes of Thermonomungan and Urney, in the County of Tyrone, by the Rev. Dr. William Henry , p. i. Winkler (Profeflor), Extra# of his Letters to the Rev. Dr. Thomas Birch , Secretary to the Royal Society, relating to Two Electrical Experiments, p. 772. X. Xenophon , a Letter concerning an Eclipfe mentioned by him, from the Rev. MV. George Coftard to Dr. Bevis. «