s.

"1

1^. 3 . d ’ ^ .

I

/

I

■

V

PHILOSOPHICAL

TRANSACTIONS,

GIVING SOME

ACCOUNT

OF THE

Prefent Undertakings, Studies, and Labours,

OF THE

INGENIOUS,

IN MANY

Confiderable Parts of the WORLD.

VOL. LXL For the Vear 1771.
PART L

LONDON:

Printed fbr L O C K Y E R D A V I S, iil Holhourn,
Printer to the R 0 V a l Society*

M.DCC.LXXIh

/ A

*

f

ADVERTISEMENT

HE Committee appointed by the Royal Society

to direct tthe publication of the Fhilojophical
Strajifa5HonSy take this opportunity to acquaint the
Public, that it fully appears, as well from the council-
books and journals of the Society, as from repeated
declarations, which have been made in feveral for-
mer ’TranfadlionSj that the printing of them was al-
ways, from time to time, the hngle a£l of the re-
fpedive Secretaries, till the Forty-feventh Volume,
And this information was thought the more necelTaryi
not only as it has been the common opinion, that they
were publifhed by the authority, and under the di-
rection, of the Society itfelf j but alfo, becaufe feveral
authors, both at home and abroad, have in their writ-
ings called them the T^ranjaFltons oj the Royal Society.
Whereas in truth the Society, as a body, nev’-er did
intereft themfelrves any further in their publication,
than by occafionally recommending the revival of
them to fome of their Secretaries, when, from the par-
ticular circumftances of their affairs, the TranfaBioiis
had happened for any length of time to be intermitted.
And this feems principally to have been done with a
view to fatisfy the Public, that their ufual meetings
were then continued for the improvement of know-
ledge, and benefit of mankind, the great ends of their
firft inftitution by the Royal Charters, and which they
have ever fince Readily purfued.

But the Society being of late years greatly inlarged,
and their communications more numerous, it was
thought advifeable, that a Committee of their Mem-
bers fhould be appointed to reconfider the papers read
before them, and felect out of them fuch, as they

a 2

Ihould

ADVERTISEME NT.

/hould judge moft proper for publication in the future
Tranfatiions \ which was accordingly done upon the
26th of March 1752. And the grounds of their choice
are, and will continue to be, the importance or fingu-
larity of the fubjedls, or the advantageous manner of
treating them ; without pretending to anfwer for the
certainty of the fads, or propriety of the reafonings,
contained in the feveral papers fo publifhed, which
mu ft ftill reft on the credit or judgment of their re-
Ipedive authors.

It is likewife neceflary on this occafion to remark,,
that it is an eftabliftied rule of the Society, to which
they will always adhere, never to give their opinion,,
as a body, upon any fubjed, either of Nature or Art,
that comes before them. And therefpre the thanks,
which are frequently propofed from the chair, to be
given to the authors of fuch papers, as are read at
their accuftomed meetings, or to the perfons through
whofe hands they receive them, are to be confidered
in no other light than as a matter of civility, in re-
turn for the relped ftiewn to the Society by thofe
communications. The like aJfo is to be faid with
regard to the feveral projeds, inventions, and curio-
fities of various kinds, which are often exhibited to.
the Society j the authors whereof, or thofe who ex-
hibit them, frequently take the liberty to report, and,
even to certify in the public news-papers, that they
have met with the higheft applaufe and approbation.
And therefore it is hoped, that no regard will here-
after be paid to fuch reports, and public notices ;
which in fome inftances have been too lightly cre-
dited, to the dillionour of the Society.

CON-

CONTENTS

T O'

V O U LXI.

I, J^E MARKS upon the Nature of the Soil of

Naples, and its Neighbourhood in a Letter
from.the Honourable His Ma-

jefly’s Envoy Extraordinary at Naples, to Mathew-
Maty, D, Sec. R. S. p. i

II, ExtraSl of another Letter, from Mr. Hamilton,

to Dr. Maty, an the Jame SubjeB, p. 48

III, A Letter from Dr. Frankly n, F.R.S. to the-

Aflronomer Royal 5 containing an Obfervation of the -
Franfit of Mercury oroer the Sun, November ^tb
1769 : By John Winthrop, Efq, F. R. S. Hollifiam
Frofejfor of Mathematics and Natural Philofophy at
Cambridge, New England. p. 5 r ,

ly. Obfervations on the Heat of the Ground on Mount
Vefuvius ; By John Howard, Efq\ F. R. S. Pf'53,;

V. D^"*

VI

CONTENTS.

V. Defcription of a Bird from the Eaft Indies j in a
Better to James Weft, Efq^ PrefdetJt of the Royal
Society j from Mr, George Edwards, F. R. S,

P- 55

VI. u:dn FxtraSi from the Regifter of the Parijh of

Holy-Crofs in Salop, being a Second^ Decade of
TearSy from Michaelmas, 1760, to Michaelmas,
j 770, carefully digefed in the follovoing Table y by
the Rev. William Gorfuch, Minifer of that
Parijh. . _ P* 57

VII. A Letter fro?n Mr. Stephen de Vifme to

Mathew Maty, M. D. Sec. R. S. containing an
Account of the Manner, in which the Chinefe heat
their Rooms. P* 5 9

VIII. An Account of the Kang, or Chinefe Stoves,
by Father Gramont, tranjlatedjrom the French, p.6 1

IX. Account of a ronarkable Thunder Storm : In a

Letter from the Rev. Anthony Williams, Rebfor
of St. Keverne, in Cornwall, to the Rev. William
Borlafe, D. D. F. R. S. P* 7^

X. Explication of an inedited Coin, with two Legends^

in different Languages, on the Reverf 'e. In a Letter
to Mathew Maty, M. D. Sec. R. S. from the Rev.
John Swinton. B. D. F. R. S. Cufos Archivorunt
of the Univerfity of Oxford, Member of the Academy
degli Apatifti at Florence, and f the Etrufean
Academy of Cortona in Tufeany. p. 78

XI. Remarks upon two Etrufean Weights, or Coins,
never before publiffed. In a Letter to Mathew
Maty, M. D. Sec. R. S. from the Revcrcjid John
Swinton, B. D. F. R. S. Cufos Archivorum of the
Vniverfty of Oxford, Member of the Academy degli

* In Vol. LII, Part i. Art, 25. fee the Firjl Decade.

Apatifti

CONTENTS. vii

ApatiftI at Florence, and of the Etrufcan Academy
oj Cortona //z Tufcany. p. 32

XII. Interpretation of two Punic Infcriptions, on the
Reverfes of two Siculo-Punic Coins, publified by the
Prince di Torremuzza, and never hitherto explained.
In a Letter to M. Maty, M. D. Sec. R. S. from
the Rev. John Swinton, B. D. F. R. S. Cujios
Arcbivoriim of the Vniverfity of Oxford, Member
of the Academy degli Apatifti at Florence, and of
the Etrufcan Academy of Cortona Tufcany. p. pr

XIII. Extradl of two Letters from M. Meflier, of

the Royal Academy of Sciences, and F. R. S. to M.
de Magalhaens, on a new Comet : Fran dated bv
Dr. Bevis, F.R.S. p. 104

XIV. Defcription and XJfe of a new conftriiSied Equa^

torial Felefcope, or portable Obfervatory, made by Mr.
Edward Nairne, London. p. jq^

XV. Experiments to fhew the Nature of Auruni
Mofaicum : By Mr. Peter Woulfe, F. R.S.^.ii^

XVI. Account of an extraordinary Steatomatous Fu-.

mmir, in the Abdomen of a Woman, by P. Hanly,
M. D. Communicated by Charles Morton M D
Sec.R.S. ' p/131

XVII. A Letter from Dr. Ducarel, F. R. S. and
F. S. A. to Dr, "\Villiam V^atfon, M^, D. and
F.R. S. concerning Chefnut Frees-, with two other
Letters to Dr. Ducarel, on the fame Subjell. p. 136

XVIII. Copy of Mr. Thorpe s Letter to Dr. Ducarel,
concerning Chefnut Frees. P-152

XIX. ExtraSi of a Letter from Edward Hailed,
Efq-, F. R. S, and F.S, A* to Dr> Ducarel, con^
cerning Chefnut Frees. p. 160

XX. A‘

viil CONTENTS.

XX. A Letter from the Hon. Daines Barrington#

F. R. S. to Mathew Maty, M, D. Sec. R. S. occa^
fioned by the three preceding Letters. p. 167"

XXI. An Account of the Nyl-ghaUy an Indian Animal^

7iot hitherto defcribed : By William Hunter, M.D.
F. R. S. p. 1 70

XXII. Obfervations on the Aphides of Linnaeus, by

Dr, William Richardfon, Ripon, Yorkfliire:
Communicated by William Heberden, M. D.
F. R. S. p. 182

XXIII. Meteorological Obfervaiions at Ludgvan in
Mount’s Bay, Cornwall, 1770: By William Bor-
lafe, D. D. F. R. S. Communicated by Dr. Jere-
miah MHles, Dean of Exeter and F. R.S. p. 1 95

XXIV. Dfcription of a ?iew Hygrometer : By Mr,

John Smeaton, F, R. S. p. 198

XXV. Letter from Mr. John Baptift Beccaria,

of Turin, F. R. S. to Mr. John Canton. F. R. S.
on his fiew Phofphorus receiving feveral Colours^
a?td only emitting the fame. p. 2 1 2

XXVI. Some Remarks on the RffeSis of the late Cold

in February laf : in a Letter from the Rev. R.
Watfon, Fellow of Trinity College, and Frofejjor
of Chemiftry at Cambridge, to Matthew Maty,
M, D. Sec. R. S. P- 213

XXVII. A Letter from Thomas Barker, Ffq-^ of
• Lyndon in Rutlandfhire, to James Weft, EJq-y
Pref. R. S. concerning Obfervations of the ^lanti^
■ties of Rain fallen at that Place, for feveral Tears,

p. 221

•XXVIII. A fecond Letter from Mr. Barker to the
Prejidenti on the fame SubjeSl', together with the

Deter mi*

CONTENTS.

Determination of the Latitude of Stamford, in Lin-
colnfliire. p. 227

XXIX. Ohfervations on fonie Bivalve Infedis^ found

tn common Water ^ by Mr. Muller, of the new Aca-
demy of ScietKes in Bavaria, and'the 0cco?2omical So-
ciety at Bern ; cotmnunicated by R. H. A. Bennet,
Efq\ F. R. S. . ^ p. 230

XXX. A Letter from the Rev. M. Lort, B. D.
F. R. S. contaming an Account of a f ngular Fif:^
from the South Seas, by the Rev. Mr. Michael

Tyfon. p. 247

XXXI. An Account of Elden Flole in Derbythire ;

By J. Lloyd, Efq-, with fame Obfervatiom upon it,
by Edward King, Ffq-, F. R. S. j in a Letter to
Mathew Maty, M. D. Sec. R. S. p. 250

XXXII. An Account of two new Tortoifes ; in a
Letter to Mathew Maty, M. D. Sec. R. S. : By
Thomas Pennant, Efq\ F. R. S. p. 266

XXXIII. Meteorological Obfervations at Caen in Nor-
mandy ; 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769: By

Nathanael Pigott, Efq-, F. R, S. Communicated by
the late Dr. Bevis, F. R. S. p. 274

* XXXIIl. Nydlanthes elongata, nova Planta Indica,
qua?n, deferiptione atque icone illufrata^n, illufinf-
fimce Societati Regiee Londinenfi reverenter off'ert
Petrus Jonas Bergius, M. D. Suecus, R. Soc,
Lond. aliarumque Societ. Membr. p. 289

XXXIV. Account of a Mole from North America :
In a Letter to Dr. Maty, Sec. R. S. fro77i the Hon.
Daines Barrington, F. R. S. p. 292

XXXV. Letter from the Hon. Daines Barrington,
F. R. S. to William Eleberden, M. D. F. R. S.
giving an Account of fo7ne Experi7ne72ts tnade hi^
VoL. LXI. b North

X

CONTENTS.

North Wales, to afcertain the different ^antities^
of Rniuy which fell in the fame Time, at different
Heights. p. 294

XXX VI. A Difquiftion concerning certain Fluents,
which are afjignable by the Arcs of the Conic SeBions ;
wherein are invefigated fome new a?id ufetul Fhe-
orems for computing fuch Fluents : By John La n--
den, F. R. S. ' ”p. 298

XXXVII. A Letter from Mr. John Reinhold
Fonder, F. A. S. to the Hon. Daines Barrington,.
Vice-Pref. R.. S. on the Management of Carp in.
Polifh PruOia. ’ ' p. 310^

XXXVIII. A71 Account of the, remarkable Cold cb-
ferved at Glafgovv, in the Month of January,.
1768 ; in a Letter from Mr. Alexander Willbn,
Profeffor of Ajlrcitomy at Glafgow, to the Rev. Mr.
Nevil Mafkeline, B. D. F, R. S. and Ajh'onomer-
Royal. p. 326-

XXXIX. Sojne Experiments on PutrefaSUon j by
F. L. F. Crell, M. D. and Profeffor of Chemiftry
at Brunfwick. P-332

XL. Obfervations upon Five antieiit Perlian Coins,,
fruck in Paleftine, or Phoenicia, before the P)-ifflu~
tion of the Perlian Empire. In a Letter to Matthew
Maty, M. D» Sec.. R. S. from the Rev. John
Swinton, B. D. F. R. S. Cufos Archivoriim of
the Univerfjty of Oxford, Member of the Academy -
degli Apatildi at Florence, and of the Etrufcan
Academy of Cortona in Tulcany. p. 34^

XLl. A Letter Richard Plill Waring, Efq',

F. R. S. to the Hon. Daines Barrington 3 on jome
Plants, found in feveral Parts c/’ England, p. 359

XLIL^'

XI

'CONTENTS.

XLII. A Catalogue of the Fifty Specimens of Plants
from Chelfea Garden : Prefented to the Royal So-
ciety,Tear ly^o^purfuant to the DireSlion of
the late Sir Hans Sloane, Bart, from the Society of
Apothecaries^ London : By Stanefby Alchorne,
Member of the faid Society. . P- 39^^

XLllI. Obfervations tnade^ by Appointment of the
Royal Society, at King George’s Illand in the South
Sea 5 by Mr. Charles Green, formerly A[Jifdht at
the Royal Obfervatory at Greenwich, and Lieut.
James Cook, of his Majejiy s Ship the Endeavour.

P-397

XLIV. Variation of the Compafs, as obferved on board
the Endeavour Bark, in a Voyage round the World.
Communicated by Lieut. James Cook, Commander
of the fatd Bark. - p. 422

XLV. Tranftiis Veneris & Mercurii in eorum Exitu
e Dijco Solis, 4/0 Menfs Junii C? \omo Novembris,
1769, obfervatus. Communicated by Capt. James
Cook. _ _p. 433

XLVI. Kepler’s Method of computing the Moon's Par-
allaxes in Solar Eclipfes, demonjirated and extended
to all Degrees of the Moons Latitude, as alfo to the
ajjigning the Moon's correfpondent apparent Diameter,
together udth a concife Application of this Form of
Calculation to thofe EclipfeS', by the fate H. Pem-
berton, M. D. F. R. S. Communicated by Matthew
Raper Efq-, F. R. S. p. 437

XLV II. Of Logarithms, by the late William Jones,
Efq-, F'. R. S. Communicated by John Robertlon,
Lib. R. S. ^ p. 455

b 2

XLVIII. An

\

Xll

CONTENTS.

XL VI II. An Inquiry info the Value of the ancier^
Greek and Roman Money : By Matthew Raper,
Efq-, F. R, S’, p. 462

XL IX. Defcription of a Method of mcafuring Differ-
ences of Right Afeenfon and Decimation, with
Dollond’s Micrometer, together with other ?iew Ap-
plications oj the fame: By the Rev, Nevil Mafieelyns,
B. D. F. R. S. Afro'.omtr Royal. p. 536

L. A Supplement to a former Paper, concerning Diffi-
culties in the Newtonian fheory of Light By the
Rev. S. Horfley, LL. B. F. R. S. P* 547

LI. An Account of the going of an Afronomical
Clock: By the Rev. Francis Wolla(lon, F. 7^. .6^

LIl. An Account of d pure native crffallijcd
Natron, or foffil alkaline Salt, which is jound in
the Country of Tripoli in Barbary : By Donali
Monro, M. D. Phyfeian to the Army, and to St.
George’s Dofpital, Fellow of the Royal College of
Pkyfcians, and of the Royal Society. . P- 5^7
Llil. I he ^antity of the Suns Parallax, as deduced
from the Obfervations oJ the Lranft of Venus, on
June 3, 1769 : By Thomas Hornfby, M. A..
bavilian Profeffor oj AJlronorny in the Untverjuy of
Oxford, and F. R. S. p. 574

LIV. A Letter from Mr, R. E. Rafpe, F. R. S. to
M. Maty, M'. D. Sec. R. S. containing a feort
Account- of fome Bafait Hills Heiha. p. 580
LV. An Attempt to explain fome of the principal
P heenomena of Electricity, by Means of an elafic
Fuiil: By the Honourable Henry Cavendhb, F. R, S.
z p. 584.

PRESEN

PRESENTS

MADE TO THE

ROYAL SOCIETY.

la the YEAR 1771 >

WITH

The NAMES of the DONORS.

Donors Names- Prefentsmade.

Jan. 10. Board ot Longitude. Nautical Almanack fo.r 1772. 8*

Blr. J. R.einhold lordei'. \^oyage to China, by Peter Olbeck,

2 vol. 8“^

Mr. J. Wynn Baker. Trafts on Ilulbandry. 8*

17. Sir Wm. Browne, M, D. Lufiis Medici, Lat. 6c Angl. 4®

Mr. Humphreys. Conchology', or a nat. hill, of fiidls-,

N®. I. ^ _ Fol.

24. Rev.JohnCorharnHuxham,Obferv. Huxhamii de acre & inorb.

M. A.

3.1. James Burrow, Efq;

Dr. Maty.

J

Stephen Dcvifme, Efq;

Epid. Torn. III. 8"

De ulu 6c latione interpungendi,
Ed. 2. 4®

Almanack pour trouver I’heurc par tons
les degres, 4°

Blodel of a Chinefe ftove for iwirming.,
their rooms, and fpeci.meus of coals..

1 tL •

C ]

Don®rs Names,
Feb. 7. Mr. John Landen.

Mr. J. Miller.

Mr. Humphreys.

John Mills, Efq;

’Mr. T, S. Kudihan.

14. Dr. Limburg.

21. Berlin R. Academy.

I

March 7. Mr. J. Relnhold Forflcr.
J. Fothcrgill, M. D.

Prefcnts made.

Animadverfions on Dr. Steivart’s com-
putation of the Sun’s diftance trom
the earth.

Syftem of Botany, coloured prints,
N° II. Fol.

Concholog\-, or a nat. hill, of Ihells,
N“ II. Fol.

Natural and chemical elcm. ofagrlc. 8°
Twelve birds, in fine preiervation ; and
alio 2 Iquiirels and 64 moths and
files from North America.
Diflertation fur les aihnltcs chemiques.

1 2“

Nouveaux amufcmeni des eaux de Spa.

1 2°

Traltes des eaux minerales de Spa. 1 2°
Dificrt. inaug. fur les eaux de Spa. 1 2°
Hlltoire de rAcademlc Royale de Berlin,
for 1763. _ 4°

Kahn’s travels into N. America, 2d and
3d vol. . 8°

Charadler of the late Alex. Rufiell,
M. D. 4®

21. Society of Phyficians.

Chr. Theo. de Murr.

April II. Stockholm R. Academy.

Paris R, Academy.

2 5 Rev. R. Watfon Profeflbr
at Cambridge.

J. Ingenhouz, M. D.

May 2, M. Tunllall, Efq;

Benjamin Kennicott, D.D.

William Brownrigg, M.D.

Medical obfervations and inquiries,
4th vol. 8®

Nova ARa Phyfico-mcd.Acad. Ctefarea?,
Tom. III. & IV. 4°

Their Tranfadl. 14 quarterly Numbs.

down to 1770. 8®

Their IMemoirs, See. 3 vols for i 766,
1767, 1768. 4°

An eflay on the fubjefls of cheinilliy 8®

An impreffion of a medal, made from
the fediment of mineral water, in
Ital}".

Ornithologia Britannica. ' Fol.

The ten annual accounts of the collation
of Hebrew MSS.

Confiderations on preventing the com-
munication of Pellilential contagion,

4"

Mr. J. Reinhold Forllcr. A catalogue. of animals of N. America.

8®

9. Tho. Pennant, Efq; Brltifli Zoology, 4 v»)ls. 8®

A fynoj>iis ot Quadrupeds. 8®

16. Hon. Dailies Barrington. 'A mole from N. America.

M.iy

[ XV ]

Donors Names.
May 30. Richard Price, D. D.

Prefcnts made.
Obfervatlons on revernonary payments.

3\I. Mcrand, M. D.

&Ir. Humphreys.

John Ellis, Ell];

6. L ord Baltimore.

Alex. Dalryniple, Efcj;

&c. S'*

Memoires fur la nature, See. du Char-
bon de terre apptete.. 8°

Concholog)^ or a nat. hill, of fliells,
N° III. Fol. .

A turtle of a new fpecies.

Tyne 6. L ord Baltimore. Latin Poems. 4°

Hiilorical colledlion of voyages and
difeoveries in the Ptidfic ocetin,

2 vol. 4°

Nov. 7. Sir Wm. Browne, M. D. A.ppendlx ad opufcula. 4°

Mr. J. Reinhold Forfler. Flora Americas feptentrionalis 8°

Novae fpecies infedorum, Centuria I.

8°

George Baker, M. D. Opufcula Medica, 8“

Rev. J. Corham Fluxham. Obfervationes de aere, &c. ift and 2d

vols. 8“

American Phil. Society. Their Tranftdions, Vol. I. 4°'

M. I’Abbe Rouffies. Memoire fur la Muftque des Anciens.

4°‘

hlr. Flumphreys. Conchology, or a nat. hill, of h ells,

N° 4 and 3. 1 ol.

hlr. J. Reinhold Foriler. Bolfu’s Travels In N. America, 2 vols.

gc-

J. Zephan Holwell, Efq; India Trails. 4^

Manner of inoculating for the fmall pox

in Eafl India. 8'^

— ■ ■ ' — Hiilorical events relative to Bengal and

Indoftan. ■ 8°

IVlich. Sarconc, Del contagio del Vaju-
ola. * 4®

A new chart of the kingdom ot Poland,

4 Iheets.

Concholotry, or a nat. hift. of hells..

N^ IV. Fol. .

Print coloured of the tea plant, and

defcription. ' Fol.

Nouveau fyheme de Ledure. Fol.

Dec. 5. Sir John Pringle, M. D,
IMr. Poezobutz. .
jMr. Humphreys. ,
hlr. J. Miller. .

Abbe Maudru.

Hudfonb Bay Compciny. . A large colledion of quadrupeds, birds,

filh, and other curiolitics, trom
Hud bir’s Bay.

12, Dr. Gower. Pdaterials for a new Hill, of Chehrire.

4°

J 9. Donakl IMonro, ivl, D. Some fpecimens of native natron, from

'.I'ripoli,

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[ I ]

PHILOSOPHICAL

T R-A N S A C T I O N S.

I. Rema?'h upon the Nature of the Soil of
Naples, and its N eighh our hood ; in a Letter
from the Honourable William Hamilton,
His Majefys Envoy Extraordinary at
Naples, to Mathew Maty, M. Z). Sec.
R.S.

S I R,

Naples, 0£1:. i6, 1770%

Read Jan. 10. 17. 24. A CCORDING to your defire,
JTjL 1^ ^1™^ i*^ fending you

fuch further remarks as I have been making with
fome diligence, for fix years pafl, in the compafs of
twenty miles or more, round this capital. By accom-
panying thefe remarks with a map of the country I
defcribe, and with the fpecimens of different mat-
ters that compofe the moft remarkable fpots of it,
VoL. LXI. B Ido

I do not doubt but that I fhall convince you^
as I am myfelf convinced, that the whole circuit
(lb far as 1 have examined) within the boundaries
marked in the map, is wholly and totally the pro-
duction of fubterraneous fires ; and that mold probably
the fea formerly reached the mountains that lie be-
hind Capua and Caferta, and are a continuation of
the Appennines. If I may be allowed to compare
fmall things with great, I imagine the fubterraneous
fires to have worked in this country under the bottom
of the fea, as moles in a field, throwing up here and
there a hillock, and that the matter thrown out of
fome of thefe hillocks formed into fettled volcanos,
filling up the fpace between one and the other, has
compofed this part of the continent, and many of the
illands adjoining.

From the obfervations I have made upon mount
Etna, VefuvLus, and its neighbourhood, I dare fay,
that, after a careful examination, moft mountains
that are, or have been volcanos, would be found
to owe their exifience to fubterraneous fire ; the
direCl reverfe of what I find the commonly received
opinion.

Nature, though varied, is certainly in general uni-
form in her operations ; and 1 cannot conceive that
two fuch confiderable volcanos as Etna and Vefuvius
fliould have been formed otherwife, than every other
confiderable volcano of the known world. I do
not wonder that fo little progrefs has been made
in the improvement of natural hifiory, and parti-
cularly in that branch of it which regards the
theory of the earth; nature acls fiowly, it is difficult
to catch her in the fadt, Thofe who have made this

fubject

fubje<^l their ftiidy have, without fcruple, undertaken
at once, to write the natural hifiory of a whole pro-
vince, or of an entire conuncnt ; not refiedling, that
the longed; life of man fcarcely affords him time to
give a perfed; one of the fmalleft infeft.

I a/n ieniible of what I undertake in civine you.
Sir, even a very imperfedt account of the nature of
tlac foil of a little tuore than twenty miles rouuvl
Naples: yet I flatter mvftlf that my remarks, fuch
as they are, may be of fome ufe to any one here-
after, who may have leifure and inclination to follow
them up. The kingdom of the Two Sicilies offers
certainly the faired; field for obfervations of this kind,
of any in the whole world ; here are volcanos exift-
ing in their full force, fome on their decline, and
others totally extindl.

To begin with fome degree of order, v^rhich is
really difficult in the variety of matter that occurs to
my mind, I will drd; mention the bads on which I
found all my conjedlures. It is the nature of the
foil that covers the antient towns of Herculaneum
and Pompeii, and the interior and exterior form of
the new mountain, near Puzzole, with the fort of
materials of which it is compofed. It cannot be de-
nied that Herculaneum and Pompeii flood once
above ground ; though now, the former is in no part
lefs than feventy feet, and in fome parts one hundred
and twelve feet, below the prefent furface of the
earth ; and the latter is buried ten or twelve feet
deep, more or lefs. As we know from the very

accurate account given by Pliny the younger, to Ta-
citus, and from the accounts of other contemporary-
authors, that thefe towns were buried by an eruption

B 2 of

[4]

of mount Vefuvius in the time of Titus ; It muft be
allowed, that wdiatever matter lies between thefe cities
and the prefent furface of the earth over them, mufl
have been produced fince the year 79 of the Chriftian
aera, the date of that formidable eruption.

Pompeii, which is htuated at a much greater
diifance from the volcano than Herculaneum, has felt
the effedls of a fingle eruption only; it is covered
with white pumice fiones mixed with fragments of
lava and burnt matter, large and fmall; the pumice
is very light, but I have found fome of the fragments
of lava and cinders there, weighing eight pounds.
I have often wondered that fuch weighty bodies
could have been carried to fuch a diftance (for Pom-
peii cannot be lefs than five miles, in a Ifrait line,
from the mouth of Vefuvius). Every obfervation
confirms the fall of this horrid flaower over the un-
fortunate city of Pompeii, and that few of its in-
habitants had dared to venture out of their houfes;
for in many of thofe which have been already cleared,
fkeletons have been found, fome with gold rings,
ear rings, and bracelets. I have been prefent at the
difcovery of feveral human fkeletons my felf ; and
under a vaulted arch, about two years ago, at Pom-
peii, I law the bones of a man and a horfe taken
up, with the fragments of the horfe’s furniture, which
had been ornamented with falfe gems fet in bronze.
The Ikulls of fome of the fkeletons found in the
flreets had been evidently fradtured by the fall of the
hones. His Sicilian majeffy’s excavations are confined
to this fpot at prefent ; and the curious in antiquity
may expedt hereafter, from fo rich a mine, ample
matter for their dilfertations : but I will confine mylelf

to

[ 5 ]

to fuch obfervatlons only as relate to my prefent
fubjedt.

Over the ftratum of pUmice and burnt matter that
covers Pompeii, there is a ftratum of good mould, of
the thicknefs of about two feet and more in fome
parts, in which vines flourifh, except in fome parti-
cular fpots of this vineyard, where they are fubje<5t
to be blafted by a foul vapour or mojete^ as it is called
here, that rifes from beneath the burnt matter. The
abovementioned fliower of pumice ftones, according
to my obfervations, extended beyond Caftel-a-mare
(near which fpot the ancient town of Stabia alfo lies
buried under them), and covered a trad; of country
not lefs than thirty miles in circumference. It was
at Stabia that Pliny the elder loft his life, and this
fhower of pumice ftones is well defcribed in the
younger Pliny’s letter. Little of the matter that has
iftued from Vefuvius ftnce that time, has reached
thele parts : but I muft obferve that the pavement of
the ftreets of Pompeii is of lava ; nay, under the
foundation of the town, there is a deep ftratum of
lava and burnt matter. Thefe circumftances, with
many others that will be related hereafter, prove,
beyond a doubt, that there have been eruptions of
Vefuvius previous to that of the year 79, which is the
ftrft recorded by hiftory.

The growth of foil by time is eaftly accounted
for ; and who, that has vifited ruins of ancient edi-
fices, has not often fecn a flouriftiing fhrub, in a good
foil, upon the top of an old wall ? I have remarked
many fuch on the moft confiderable ruins at Rome
and elfewhere. But from the foil which has grov/a
over the barren pumice that covers Pompeii, I was

enabled

C 6 ]

enabled to make a curious obfervation. Upon ex-
amining the cuts and boUow ways made by currents
ot water in the neighbeurhood of \'^criivius and of
oilier volcanos, I liad remarked that there lay fre-
qucntlv a ilratnm of rich foil, of more or lefs depth,
between the matter produced by the explofion ofiuc-
ceeding eruptions; and I was naturally led to think
that fuch a flratum had grown in the fame manner
as the one abovementioned over the pumice cf
Pompeii. Where the ftratum of good foil w.iS thick,
it was evident to me that many years had elapfed
between one eruption and that which fucceeded it.
I do not pretend to fay that a jud eftimate can
be formed of the great age of volcanos from this ob-
fervation, but fome fort of calculation rrfight be made;
for indance, fliould an explofion of pumice cover
again the foot under which Pompeii is buried, the
flratum of rich foil abovementioned would certainly
lie between two beds of pumice; and if a like acci-
dent had happened a thoufand years ago, the flratum
of ricli foil would as certainly have wanted much of
its prefent thicknefs, as the rotting of vegetables,
manure, 6cc. is ever increafing a cultivated foil.
Whenever I find then a fuccefiion of different flrata
of pumice and burnt matter like that which covers
Pompeii, intermixed with flrata of rich foil, of
greater or lefs depth, I hope I may be allowed rea-
lonably to conclude, that the whole has been the
produdion of a long leries of eruptions occafioned
by fubterraneous fire. By the fize and weight of the
pumice, and fragments of burnt erupted matter in
thefe flrata, it is eafy to trace them up to their fource,
which I have done more than once in the neighbour-
hood

[ 7-]

hood of Puzzole, where explofions have been fre-
quent. The gradual decreafe in the fize and quan-
tity of the erupted matter in the flratum above-
mentioned, from Pompeii to Caftle-a-Mare, is very
vifible: at Pompeii, as I faid before, I have found
them of eight pounds weight, when at Caflle-a-Mare
the largeft do not weigh an ounce.

The matter which covers the ancient town of
He rculaneum is not the produce of one eruption onlyj
for there are evident marks that the matter of fix
eruptions has taken its courfe over that which lies
immediately above the town, and was the caufe of
its deftrudlion. Thefe firata are either of lava or
burnt matter, with veins of good foil between them.
The firatum of erupted matter that immediately
covers the town, and with which the theatre and
moft of the houfes were filled, is not of that foul
vitrified matter, called lava, but of a fort of foft
flone, compofed of pumice, aflies, and burnt matter.
It is exactly of the fame nature with what is called
here the Naples flone ; the Italians diftinguifli it by
the name of /u/a, and it is in general ufe for build-
ing. Its colour is ufually that of our free ftone, but
fometimes tinged with grey, green, and yellow; and
the pumice flones, with which it ever abounds, are
fometimes large and fometimes fmall : it varies like-
wife in its degree of folidity.

The chief article in the compofition of this feems

to me to be, that fine burnt material, which is called
puzzola?ie, whofe binding quality and utility by way of
cement are mentioned by Vitruvius, and which is to
be met with only in countries that have been fubjedl to
fubterraneous fires. It is, I believe, a fort of lime pre-
pared

[ 8 ]

pared by nature. This, mixed with water, great or
fmali pumice ftones, fragments of lava, and burnt mat-
ter, may naturally be fuppof^d to harden into a hone of
this kind ; and, as water frequently attends eruptions
of tire, as will be feen in the accounts I fhall give of
the formation of the new mountain near Puzzole,
lam convinced the hi ft matter that ilTued from Ve-
fuvius,and covered Herculaneum, was in the hate of
liquid mud. A circumftance ftrongly favouring my
opinion is, that, about two years ago, I faw the head
of an antique ftatue dug out of this matter within the
theatre of Herculaneum ; the imprehion of its face
remains to this day in the and might ferve

as a mould for a caft in plaifter of Paris, being
as perfect as any mould I ever faw. As much may
be inferred from the exa6t refemblance of this matter,
or tiifa^ which immediately covers Herculaneum, to
all the tufas of which the high grounds of Naples
and its neighbourhood are compofedj I detached a
piece of it fticking to, and incorporated with, the
painted flucco of the infide of the theatre of Her-
culaneum, and hiall fend it for your infpedtion
It is very different, as you will fee, from the vitrified
matter called lava, by which it has been generally
thought that Herculaneum was deftroyed. The
village of Refina and fome villas ftand at prefent
above this unfortunate town.

To account for the very great difference of the
matters that cover Herculaneum and Pompeii, I have
often thought that in the eruption of 79 the moun-

^ This piece Is now in the Mufeum of the Royal Society,
together with many other fpccimens, mentioned in this and in the
following lewer. M. M.

2

tain

[ 9 ]

tain mufl: have been open in more than one place. A
paHage in Pliny’s letter to Tacitus feems to fay as
much, “ Interim e P^cjuvio nwnte phirihiis locis latiJjimcB
Jlamma, atqiie incotdia rehicebant^ quorum fulgor et
“ claritas tenebras noBh peJlebat fo that very pro-
bably the matter that covers Pompeii proceeded
from a mouth, or crater, much nearer to it than is
the great mouth of the volcano, from whence
came the matter that covers Herculaneum. Tins
matter might neverthelefs be faid to have proceeded
from Vefuvlus, juft as the eruption in the year 1760,
which was quite independent of the great crater (be-
ing four miles from it), is properly called an eruption
of Vefuvius.

In the beginning of eruptions, volcanos frequently
throw up water mixed with the afhes. Vefuvius did
fo in the eruption of 1631, according to the tefti-
mony of many contemporary writers. The fame
circumftance happened in 1669 according to the
account of Ignazzio Sorrentino, who, by his Hiftory
of Mount Vefuvius printed at Naples in 1734, has
fliewn himfelf to have been a very accurate obferver
of the phaenomena of the volcano, for many years
that he lived at Torre del Greco, fituated at the foot
of it. At the beginning of the formation of the new
mountain, near Puzzole, water was mixed with the
aftaes thrown up, as will be feen in two very curious
and particular accounts of the formation of that
mountain,- which I fhall have the pleafure of com-
municating to you prefently; and in 1755 Etna threw
up a quantity of water in the beginning of an
eruption, as is mentioned in the letter I fent you laft
VoL. LXI. C year

[ 10 }

year upon the fubjeft of that magnificent volcano
Ulloa likewife mentions this circumftance of water
attending the eruptions of volcanos in America.
Whenever therefore I find a tufa compofed exadly like
that which immediately covers Herculaneuiu, and
undoubtedly proceeded from Vefuvius, I conclude
fuch a tufa to have been produced by water mixing
with the erupted matter at the time of an explofion
occafioned by fubterraneous fire ; and this obfer-
vation, I believe, will be of more ufe than any
other, in pointing out thofe parts of the prefent terra
frma, that have been formed by explofion. I am
convinced it has often happened that fubterraneous
fires and exhalations, after having been pent up and
confined forfome time, and been the caufeof earth-
quakes, have forced their pafiage, and in venting
themfelves formed mountains of the matter that
confined them, as you will fee was the cafe near
Puzzole in the year 1538, and by evident figns has
been fo before, in many parts of the neighbourhood *
of Puzzole ; without creating a regular volcano.
The materials of fuch mountains will have but
little appearance of having been^ produced by fire,
to any one unaccuflomed to make obfervations upon
the different nature of volcanos.

If it were allowed to make a comparifon between
the earth and a human body, one might confider a'
country replete with combuftibles occafioning ex-
plofions (which is furely the cafe here) to be like a
'body full of humours. When thefe humours con-
centre in one part, and form a great tumour out of
which they are difcharged freely, the body is lels,

* Phil. Tranfaa. Vol. LX. p. i.

agitated ;

[ " ]

agitated j but when by any accident the humours
are checked, and do not find a free pafiage through
their ufual channel, the body is agitated, and tumours
appear in other parts of that body, but foon after the
humours return again to their former channel. In a
fimilar manner one may conceive Vefuvius to be the
prefent great channel, through which nature dif- *
charges fome of the foul humours of the earth when
thefe humours are checked by any accident or fiop-
page in this channel for any conliderable time, earth-
quakes will be frequent in its neighbourhood, and
explofions may be apprehended even at fome diftance
from it. This was the cafe in the year 1538, Vefuvius
having been quiet for near 400 years. There was
no eruption from its great crater from the year 1 139
to the great eruption of 1631, and the top of the
mountain began to lofe all figns of fire. As it is
not foreign to my purpofe, and will ferve to (hew
how greatly they are miftaken, who place the feat
of the fire in the centre or towards the top of a
volcano, I -will give you a curious defcription of
the fiate of the crater of Vefuvius, after having
been free from eruptions 492 years, as related
by Eracini, who defcended into it not long before the
eruption of 1631 : “ The crater was five miles in
“ circumference, and about a thoufand paces deepAts
fides were covered with brufii wood,' and at the
“ bottom there was a plain on which cattle grazed.

** In the woody parts, boars frequently harboured ;

“ in the midfi; of the plain, within the crater, w''as a
“ narrow pafiage, through which, by a winding path,

“ you could defeend about a mile amongft rocks and
flones, till you came to another more (pacious

C 2 ‘‘ plain

[ ]

** plain covered with afhes : in this plain were three
“ little pools, placed in a triangular form, one to-
“ wards the Ealf, of hot water, corrofive and bitter
“ beyond nieafure ; another towards the Welf, af
‘‘ water falter than that of the fea j the third of hot
“ water, that had no particular tafle.”

The great increafe of the cone of Vefuvius, from
that time to this, naturally induces one to conclude,
that the whole of the cone was raifed in the like
manner, and that the part of Vefuvius, called Som-
ma, which is now confidered as a diftinft mountain
from it, was compofed in the fame manner. This may
plainly be perceived by examining its interior and ex-
terior form, and the flrata of lava and burnt matter
of which it is compofed. The ancients, in defcribing
Vefuvius, never mention two mountains. Strabo,
Dio, Vitruvius, all agree, that Vefuvius, in their time,
fliewed figns of having formerly erupted, and the firft
compares the crater on its top to an amphitheatre.
The mountain now called Somma was, I believe,
that which the ancients called Vefuvius j its outfide
form is conical, its inlide, inftead of an amphitheatre,
is now like a great theatre. I fuppofe the eruption
in Pliny’s time to have thrown down that part of
the cone next the fea, which would naturally have
left it in its prefent ftate, and that the conical moun-
tain, or exifting Vefuvius, has been raifed by the
fucceeding eruptions: all my obfervations confirm
this opinion.. I have feen antient lavas in the plain
on the other fide of Somma, which could never have
proceeded from the prefent Vefuvius. Serao, a
celebrated phyfician now living at Naples, in the
introduction of his account of the eruption of Vefu-
vius

[ 13 ]

'vius in 1737 (in which account many of the.phs-
nomena of the volcano are recorded and very well
accounted for) fays, that at the convent of Dominican
Fryars, called the Madona del Arco, fome years ago,
in linking a well, at a hundred feet depth, a lava was
difcovered, and foon after another, fo that in lefs than
three hundred feet depth, the lavas of four eruptions
were found. From the- lituation of this convent it
is clear beyond a doubt, that thefe lavas proceeded
from the mountain called Somma^ as they are quite
out of the reach of the exiding volcano. ^

From thefe circumftances, and from repeated ob-
fervations I have made in the neighbourhood of Ve-
fuvius, I am fure that no virgin foil is to be found there,
and that all is compofed of different Ifrata of erupted
raatter>even to a great depth below the level of the fea.
Infliortjl have not any doubt in my own mind, but that
this volcano took its rife from the bottom of the fea ;
and as the whole plain between Vefuvius and the
mountains behind Caferta, which is the bed part of
the Campagna Felice, is (under its good foil) compofed
of burnt matter, I imagine the fea to have waflied
the feet of thofe mountains, until the fubterraneous
fires began to operate, at a period certainly of a mod
remote antiquity.

The foil of the Campagna Felice is very fertile;,.
I faw the earth opened in many places laft year in
the midft of that plain, when they were feeking for
materials to mend the road from Naples to Caferta.
The flratum of good foil was in general four or five
feet thick ; under which was a deep flratum of cin-
ders, pumice, fragments of lava and fuch burnt
matter as abounds near Vefuvius and all volcanos..

The

3

[ H ]

The mountains at the hack of Caferta are mofily of
a fort of lime -Rone, and very different from thofe
.formed by hre; though Signior Van Vitelli, the ce-
lebrated architedt, has affured me, that in the cutting
of the famous aquedudl of Caferta through thefe
mountains, he met with fome foils, that liad been
evidently formed by fubterraneous fires. The high
grounds which extend from Cafiel-a-Mare to the
point of Minerva towards the ifland of Caprea, and
from the promontory that divides the bay of Naples
from that of Salerno, are of lime Rone. The plain
of Sorrento, that is bounded by thefe high grounds,
beginning at the village of Vico, and ending at that
of Mafia, is wholly compofed of the fame lort of tufa
as that about Naples, except that the cinder or pumice
Rones intermixed in it are larger than in the Naples
tufa. I conceive then that there has been an ex'-
plofion in this fpot from the bottom of the fea. This
plain, as I have remarked to be the cafe with all foils
produced by fubterraneous fire, is extremely fertile j
whilR the ground about it, being of another nature,
is not fo. The ifiand of Caprea does not fiiew any
figns of having been formed by fubterraneous fire,
but is of the fame nature as the high grounds laR
mentioned, from which it has been probably detached
by earthquakes, or the violence of the waves. Ro-
vigliano, an ifiand, or rather a rock in the bay of
CaRel-a-Mare, is likewife of lime Rone, and feems
to have belonged to the original mountains in its
neighbourhood : in fome of thefe mountains there
are alfo petrified fifii and fofiil Riel Is, which I never
have found in the mountains, which I fuppofe to
have been formed by explofion.

You

r ^5 ]

You have now, Sir, before you the nature of the
foil, from Caprea to Naples. The foil on which this
great metropolis hands has been evidently produced
by explolions, fome of which feem to have been upon
the very fpot on which this city is built ; all the high
grounds round Naples, Paufilipo, Puzzole, Baia,
Mifenum, the illands of Procita and Ifchia, all ap-
pear to have been raifed by explofion. You can trace
hill in many of thefe heights the conical flaape that
was naturally given them atfirfi, and even the craters
out of which the matter iffued, though to be fure
others of thefe heights have fuffered fuch changes
by the hand of time, that you can only conjedure
that they, were raifed in the like manner, by their
compoiition being exadly the fame as that of thofe
mountains, which dill retain their conical form and
craters entire. A tufa, exadly refembling the fpeci-
inen I took from the inlide of the theatre of Her-
culaneum, layers of pumice intermixed with layers
of good foil, juft like thofe over Pompeii, and lavas
like thofe. of Vefuvius, compofe the whole foil of the.
country that remains to be defcribed.

The famous grotto anciently cut through the;
mountain of Paufilipo, to make a road from Naples
to Puzzole, gives you an opportunity of feeing that
the whole of that mountain is tufa. The firft evi-
dent crater you meet with, after you have paffed the
grotto of Pauftlipo, is now the lake of Agnano ; a
fmall remain of the fubterraneous fire (which muft.
probably have made the bafon for the lake, and raifed
the high grounds which form a fort of amphitheatre
round it) ferves to heat rooms, which the Neapoli-
tans make great ufe of in fummer, for carrying off

diverfe*

[ ]

diverfe diforders, by a flirong perfpiratlon. This place
is called the Sudatorio di San Germane ; near the
prefent bagnios, which are but poor little hovels,
there are the ruins of a magnificent ancient bath.
About an hundred paces from hence is the Grotto
del Cane ; I flaall only mention, as a further
proof of the probability that the lake of Agnano
was a volcano, that vapours of a pernicious quality,
as that in the Grotto del Cane, are frequently met
with in the neighbourhood of Etna and Vefuvius,
particularly at the time of, before, and after, great
eruptions. The noxious vapour having continued in
the fame force confiantly fo many ages, as it has done
in the Grotto del Cane (for Pliny mentions this
Grotto), is indeed a circumftance in which it differs
from the vapours near Vefuvius and Etna, which
are not conftant j the cone forming the outfide of this
fuppofed volcano is ftill perfedt in many parts.

Oppofite to the Grotto del Cane, and immediately
joining to the lake, rifes the mountain called Afiruni,
which, having, as I imagine, been thrown up by an
explofion of a much later date, retains the conical
fliape and every fymptom of a volcano in much
greater perfedlion than that I have been deferibing.
The crater of Aftruni is furrounded with a wall to
confine boars and deer (this volcano having been for
many years converted to a royal chace). It may be
about fix miles or more in cicumference j in the plain
at the bottom of the crater arc two lakes, and in
fome books there is mention made of a hot fpring,
which I never have been able to find. There are
many huge rocks of lava within the crater of Aftruni,
and ibme I have met with alfo in that of Agnano j

the

[ ^7 ]

the cones of both thefe fuppofed volcanos are com-
pofed of tufa and ftrata of loofe pumice, fragments
of lava and other burnt matter, exa6lly refembling
the flrata of Vefuvius. Bartholomeus Fatius, who
wrote of theadlions of king Alphonfo the firft (before
the new mountain had been formed near Puzzole),
conjectured that Aftruni had been a volcano. Thefe
are his words : Locus Neapcli qilatuor millia pafuum
proximiiSy quern vulgo Liftrones vocafit, nos iinum e
Phlegreeis Campis ab ardore nuncupandutn putamus.
There is no entrance into the crater of either Aftruni
or Agnano, except one, evidently made by art, and
they both exadlly correfpond with Strabo’s defcn'ption
of avenues; the fame may be faid of the Solfaterra
and the Monte Gauro, or Barbaro as it is fometimes
called, which I fhall defcribe prefently.

Near Aftruni and towards the fea rifes the Solfa-
terra, which not only retains its cone and crater,
but much of its former heat. In the plain within
the crater, fmoke ilfues from many parts, as alfo from
its lides ; here, by means of ftones and tiles heaped
over the crevices, through which the fmoak palfes,
they collect in an aukward manner what they call
fate armo?iiaco'y and from the fand of the plain they
extract fulphur and alum. This fpot well attended
to might certainly produce a good revenue, whereas
I doubt if they have hitherto ever cleared 200 /. a year
by it. The hollow found produced by throwing a
heavy ftone on the plain of the crater of the Solfa-
terra feems -to indicate, that it is fupported by a fort
of arched natural vault ; and one is induced to think
that there is a pool of water beneath this vault (which
boils by the heat of a fubterraneous fire flill deeper)

VoL. LXI. D by

[ ^8 ]

by the very rnoifl Areara that iffues from the cracks
in the plain of the Solfaterra, which, like that of
boiling water, runs off a fword or knife, prefented to
it, in great drops. On the outfide, and at the foot
of the cone of the Solfaterra, towards the lake of
Agnano, water ruAies out of the rocks, fo hot, as to
raife the quickhlver in Fahrenheit’s thermometer to
the degree of boiling water, a fad of which I was
myfelf an eye-witnefs. This place, well worthy the
obfervation of the curious, has been taken little notice
of; it is called the Pifciarelli. The common people
of Naples have great faith in the efficacy of this
water, and make much ufe of it in all cutaneous
diforders, as well as for another diforder that prevails
here. It feems to be impregnated chiefly with ful-
phur and alum. When you approach your ear to
the rocks of the Pifciarelli, from whence this water
ouzes, you hear a horrid boiling noife, which feems
to proceed from the huge cauldron, that may be fup-
pofed to be under the plain of the Solfaterra. On
the other fide of the Solfaterra, next the fea, there
is a rock which has communicated with the fea, till
part of it was cut away to make the road to Puzzolej
this was undoubtedly a confiderable lava that ran from
the Solfaterra when it was an adive volcano. Under
this rock of lava, which is more than feventy feet
high, there is a flratum of pumice and allies. This
ancient lava is about a quarter of a mile broad; you
meet with it abruptly before you come in fight of
Puzzole, and it finifbes^as abruptly within about an
hundred paces of the town. 1 have often thought
that many quarries of flone upon examination would
be found to owe their origin to the fame caufe, though

lime

[ 19 ]

time may have effaced all figns of the volcano from
whence they proceeded. Except this rock, which is
evidently lava and full of vitrifications like that of
Vcfavius, all the rocks upon the coaft of Baia are of
tufa.

I have obfervcd in the lava of Vefuvius and Etna,
as in this, that the bottom as well as the furface of it
was rough and porous, like the cinders or fcori‘<E from
an iron foundery, and that for about a foot from the
furface and from the bottom, they were not near fo
folid and compa<fl: as towards the centre ; which
muff undoubtedly proceed from the impreflion of
the air upon the vitrified matter whilft in fufion.

I mention this circumftance, as it may ferve to point
out true lava’s with more certainty. The ancient
name of the^Solfaterra was, Forum Vulcanic a ftrong
proof of its origin from fubterraneous fire. The
degree of heat that the Solfaterra has preferved for fo
many ages, feems to have calcined the ftones upon
its cone, and in its crater, as they arc very white and
crumble eafily in the hotteft parts.

We come next to the new mountain near Puzzole,
which, being of fo very late a formation, preferves its
conical fliape entire, and produces as yet but a very
flender vegetation. It has a crater almoft as deep as
the cone is high, which may be near a quarter of a
mile perpendicular, and is in fhape a regular inverted
cone. At the bafis of this new mountain (which is
more than three miles in circumference), the land upon
the fea fhore, and even that which is wafhed by the
fea itfelf, is burning hot for above the fpace of an
hundred yards ; if you take up a handful of the

D 2 land

[ 20 ]

fand below water, you are obliged to get rid of it
directly, on account of its intenfe heat.

I had been long very defirous of meeting with a
good account of the formation of this new mountain,
becaufe, proving this mountain to have been raifed
by meer explofion in a plain, would prove at the
fame time, that all the neighbouring mountains,
which are compofed of the fame materials, and have
exactly or in part the fame form, were raifed in
the like manner, and that the feat of fire, thecaufe of
thefe explofions, lies deep, which I have every reafon
to think.

Fortunately, I lately found two very good accounts
of the phsenomena that attended the explofion, which
formed the new mountain, publifhed a few months
after the event. As I think them very curious, and
greatly to my purpofe, and as they are rare, I Vv^ill
give you a literal tranflation of fuch extradls as relate
to the formation of the Monte Nuovo. They are
bound in one volume^.

The title of the firff is Dell Incendio di Pozzuoloy
Marco Antonio dclii Falconi all llluftrijjima Sig?iiora
Marcheja della Padula W MDXXXVIll.

At the head of the fecond is, Ragionamento del
F'erremotOy del Nuovo Monte, del Aprimento di Terra
in Pozzuolo neir Anno 1538. e della JigniJicatione
d’ejji. Per Piero Giacomo da Toledo j and at the end of
the book, Stampata in Nap. per Giovanni Sulztbach
AlemanOy a 2idi Genaro 1539, con gratia, e privilegio.

“ Firfl then (fays Marco Antonio delli Falconi),
“ will I relate fimply and exadtly the operations of

* This very fcarce volume has been prefented by Mr. Hamil-
ton to the Britifh Mulcum. M. M.

“ nature.

C 21 ]

“ nature, of v/hicb 1 was either myfelf an eye-wit-
“ nefs, or as they were related to me by thofe who
had been witnefles of them. It is now two years
that there have been frequent earthquakes at
“ Pozzuolo, at Naples, and the neighbouring parts;
on the day, and in the night before the appearance
of this eruption, above twenty fliocks great and
“ fmall were felt at the abovementioned places. The
“ eruption made its appearance the 29th of Septem-
“ ber 1538, the feafl; of St Michael the angel ; it was
on a Sunday, about an hour in the night; and as I
“ have been informed, they began to fee on thatfpot,
“ between the hot baths or fweating rooms, and
“ Trepergule, flames of fire, which firft made their
appearance at the baths, then extended towards
“ Trepergule, and fixing in the little valley that lies
“ between the Monte Barbaro and the hillock called
“ del Pericolo (which was the road to the lake of
“ Avernus and the baths), in a flaort time the fire
“ increafed to fuch a degree that it burft open the
“ earth in this place, and threw up fo great aquanti-
“ ty of afhes and pumice Bones mixed with water,
“ as covered the whole country ; and in Naples a
“ fhower of thefe allies and water fell great part of
“ the night. The next morning, which was Monday,
“ and the laft of the month, the poor inhabitants of
Pozzuolo, Bruck with fo horrible a fight, quitted
“ their habitations, covered with that muddy and
“ black Blower, which continued in that ccuntry the
“ whole day, flying death, but with faces painted
“ with its colours, feme with their children in their
arms, fome with facks full of their goods, others
leading an afs loaded with their frightened Idmily

“ towards

((

C 22 ]

“ towards Naples, others carrying quantities of birds
“ of various forts that had fallen dead at the time the
“ eruption began, others again with fifh which they
“ had found, and were to be met with in plenty
“ upon the fliore, the fea having been at that time
confiderably dried up. Don Petrodi Toledo, Vice-
“ roy of the kingdom, with many gentlemen, went
to fee fo v/onderful an appearance; 1 alfo, having
“ met with the molt honourable and incomparable
gentleman, Signior Fabritio Moramaldo, on the
“ road, went and faw the eruption and the many
“ wonderful effects of it. The fea towards Baia
“ had retired a conhderable way; though from the
“ quantity of allies and broken pumice ftones thrown
“ up by the eruption, it appeared almofl totally dry.
“ I faw likewife two fprings in thofe lately-difcover-
“ ed ruins, one before the houfe that was the queen’s,
“ of hot and fait water; the other of frelh and cold
“ water, on the fliore, about 250 paces nearer to the
“ eruption: fome fay, that Hill nearer to the fpot
“ where the eruption happened, a flream of frefh
“ water iffued forth like a little river. Turning to-
wards the place of the eruption, you faw mountains
“ of fmoak, part of which was very black and part
“ very white, rife up to a great height; and in the
midll of the fmoke, at times, deep-coloured flames
“ burfl. forth with huge ftones and allies, and you
heard a noife like the difeharge of a number of
“ great artillery. It appeared to me as if Typheus
“ and Enceladus from Ifchia and Etna wdth inumc-
“ rable giants, or thole from the Campi Phlegrei
“ (which according to the opinions of fome were
*' lituaied in this neighbouiliood), were come to

“ wage

C 23 ]

wage war again with Jupiter. The natural hifta-
rians may perhaps reafonably fay, that the wife
poets meant no more by giants, than exhalations,
ihut up in the bowels of the earth, which, not
finding a free pafiage, open one by their own force
and impulfe, and form mountains, as thofe which
occafioned this eruption have been leen to doj
and me thought I faw thofe torrents of burning
fmoke that Pindar deferibes in an eruption of Etna,
now called mon Gibello in Sicily, in imitation of
which, as fome fay, Virgil wrote thefe lines :

“ Ipfe fed horrificis jiixt a tofjat Mtna rulnis, &c.

“ After the ftones and afhes with clouds of thick
fmoke had been fent up, by the impulfe of the
fire and windy exhalation (as you fee in a great
cauldron that boils), into the middle region of the
air, overcome by their own natural weight, when
from diflance the flrength they had received from
impulfe was fpent, rejected likewife by the cold
and unfriendly region, you faw them fall thick,
and by degrees, the condenfed fmoke clear away,
raining afhes with water and (tones of different
fizes, according to the difhance from the place:
then by degrees with the fame noife and fmoke it
threw out (tones and allies again, and fo on by
fits. This continued two days and nights, when
the fmoke and force of the lire began to abate.
The fourth day, which wasThurfday at 22 o’clock,
there was fo great an eruption, that, as 1 was in
the gulph of Puzzole coming from ifehia, and
not far from Mifenum, I faw, in a Ihort time,

‘‘ majiv

[ 24 ]

“ many columns of fmoke llioot up, with the mofl
“ terrible noife I ever heard, and, bending over the
“ fea, came near our boat, which was four miles or
more from the place of their birth; and the quan-
“ tity of afhes, flones, and fmoke, feemed as if they
would cover the whole earth and fea. Stones, great
“ and fmall, and afhes more or lefs, according to the
impulfe of the fire and exhalations, began to fall,
“ fo that a great part of this ’country was covered
“ with afhes; 'and many that have feen it, fay, they
“ reached the vale of Diana, and fome parts of
“ Calabria, which are more than 150 miles from
“ Pozzuolo. The Friday and Saturday nothing but
“ a little fmoke appeared, fo that many, taking cou-
“ rage, went upon the fpot, and fay, that with the
“ ftones and aflaes thrown up, a mountain has been
“ formed in that valley, not lefs than three miles in
“ circumference, and almoft as high as the monte
“ Barbaro, which is near it, covering the Canettaria,
the caftle of Trepergule, all thole buildings and
“ the greatefi: part of the baths that were about
“ them; extending South towards the fea. North as
“ far as the lake of Avernus, Wefi: to the Sudatory,
“ and joining Eafl: to the foot of the monte Barbaro,
fo that this place has changed its form and face in
“ fuch a manner as not to be known again, a thing
“ almofi incredible to thofe wlio have not feen it,
that in lb fliort a time fo confiderable a mountain
could have been formed. On its fummit there is a
“ mouth 'in the form of a cup, which may be a
quarter of a mile in circumference, though fome
“ lay it is as large as our market-place at Naples, from
which there ilTiies a conllant, fmoke ; and tliough
1 I have

[ 25 ]

I have feen It only at a diftance, It appears very
‘‘ great. The Sunday following, which was the
“ 6th of October, many people going to fee this
“ phaenomenon, and fome having afcended half the
“ mountain, others more, about 22 o’clock there
“ happened fo fudden and horrid an eruption, with
“ fo great a fmoke, that many of thefe people were
“ ftifled, fome of which could never be found. I
“ have been told, that the number of the dead or
“ loft amounted to twenty four. From that time
« to this, nothing remarkable happened j it feems
“ as if the eruption returned periodically, like
“ the ague or gout. I believe henceforward it
“ will not have fuch force, though the eruption
“ of the Sunday was accompanied with Ihowers
of afhes and water, which fell at Naples, and
“ were feen to extend as far as the mountain of
“ Somma, called Vefuvius by the ancients; and,
“ as 1 have often remarked, the clouds of fmoke
proceeding from the eruption, moved in a
“ direct line towards that mountain, as if thefe
“ places had a correfpondence and connedlion one
“ with the other. In the night, many beams and
“ columns of fire were feen to proceed from this
eruption, and fome like flafhes of lightening.
“ We have then, many circumftances for our obfer-
vation, the earthquakes, the eruption, the drying
up of the Tea, the quantity of dead fifh and birds,
“ the birth of fprings, the fhower of allies with
“ water, and without water, the innumerable trees
in that whole country, as far as the Grotto of
“ Lucullus, torn from their roots, thrown down, and
‘‘ covered with aflies, that it gave one pain to fee
VoL. LXI. E them:

[ 26 ]

“ them : and as all thefe efFeds were produced .by^

“ the fame caufe that produces earthquakes j let us
“ firfl; enquire how earthquakes are produced, and
‘‘ from thence we may eafily comprehend the caufe
“ of the abovementioned events.” Then follows a
dilfertation on earthquakes, and fome curious con-
jedures relative to the phrenomena which attended
this eruption, clearly and w^ell expreffed, confidering,
as the author himfelf apologizes, that at that time the
Italian language had been little employed on fuch
fubjeds. •' . ’ -

The account of the formation of the monte
Nuovo, by Pietro Giacomo di Toledo, is given in a
dialogue between the feigned perfonages of Peregrino
and SvelTano; the former of which fays, “ It is now
“ two years that this province of Campagna has been
“ afflided with earthquakes, the country about
“ Pozzuolo much more fo than any other parts, but
** the 27th and the 28th of the month of September
“ laft, the earthquakes did not ceafe day or night, in
“ the abovementioned city of Pozzuolo j that plain
“ which lies between the lake of Averno, the monte
“ Barbaro, and the fea, was raifed a little, and many
“ cracks were made in in it, from fome of which
iffued watery and at the lame time the fea, which
“ was very near the plain, dried up about two hun-
“ dred paces, fo that the fifli were left on the fand,
“ a prey to the inhabitants of Pozzuolo. At laft, on
“ the 29th of the faid month, about two hours in
the night, the earth opened near the lake, and dif-
“ covered a horrid mouth, from which were vomited
’ furioufly, fmoke, fire, hones, and mud compofed
“ of allies j making, at the time of its opening, a

“ noife

C 27 ]

“ nolfe like very loud thunder : the fire that ifiued
from this mouth, went towards the walls of the
“ unfortunate city ; the fmoke was partly black and
partly white, the black was darker than darknefs
“ itfelf, and the white was like the whiteft cotton ;
“ thefe fmokes, rifing in the air, feemed as if they
“ would touch the vault of heaven ; the ftones that
followed, were, by the devouring flames, con-
“ verted to pumice, the fize of which (of fome I fay)
“ were much larger than an ox. The fliones went
“ about as high as a crofs-bow can carry, and then
“ fell down, fometimes on the edge and fometimes
“ into the mouth itfelf. It is very true that many of
“ them in going up could not be feen, on account
of the dark fmoke ; but when they returned from
“ the fmoky heat, they fliewed plainly where they
“ had been by their flrong fmell of fetid fulphur,
“ juft like ftones that have been thrown out of a
“ mortar, and have pafl'ed through the fmoke of in-
“ flamed gunpowder. The mud was of the colour
** of allies, and at firft very liquid, then by degrees
“ lefs fo, and in fuch quantities, that in lefs than
twelve hours, with the help of the abovementioned
ftones, a mountain was raifed of a thoufand paces
in height. Not only Pozzuolo and the neighbour-
“ ing country was full of this mud, but the city of
“ Naples alfo, the beauty of whofe palaces were, in
“ a great meafure, fpoiled by it. The afhes were
“ carried as far as Calabria by the force of the
“ winds, burning up in their paflTage the grafs and
“ high trees, many of which were borne down by the
“ weight of them. An infinity of birds alfo, and
‘‘ numberlefs animals of various kinds, covered with

E 2 “ this

[ 28 ]

“ this fulphureous mud, gave themfelves up a prey
to man. Now this eruption lafted two nights and
** two days without intermiffion, though, it is true,
not always with the fame force, but more or lefs ;
“ when it was at its greateft height, even at Naples
“ you heard a noife or thundering like heavy artillery
“ when two armies are engaged. The third day
** the eruption ceafed, fo that the mountain made its
“ appearance uncovered, to the no fmall ahonifli-
** ment of every one who faw it. On this day,
** when I went up with many people to the top of
“ this mountain ; I faw down into its mouth, which
“ was a round concavity of about a quarter of a mile
“ in circumference, in the middle of which the
“ ffones that had fallen were boiling up, juft as in
a great cauldron of water that boils on the fire.
The fourth day it began to throw up again, and
“ the feventh much more, but ftill with lefs violence
“ than the firft night j it was at this time that many
“ people, who were unfortunately on the mountain,
were either fuddenly covered with allies, fmothered
“ with fmoke, or knocked down by ftones, burnt by
“ the flame, and left dead on the fpot. The fmoke
continues to this day, and you often fee in the night
ti/ne fire in the midft of it. Finally, to complete
“ the hiftory of this new and unforefeen event, in
“ many parts of the new-made mountain, fulphur
“ begins to be generated.” Giacomo di Toledo,
towards the end of his diftertation upon the phasno-
mena attending this eruption, fays, that the lake of
Avernus had a communication with the fea, before
the time of the eruption ; and that he apprehended
that the air of Puzzole might come to be affedled in

fummer

C 29 3

fummer time, by the vapours from the ftagnated
waters of the lake, which is adliially the cafe.

You have, Sir, from thefe accounts, an inftance of
a mountain, of a conhderable height and dimenfions,
formed in a plain, by mere explofion, in the fpace of
forty-eight hours. The earthquakes having been
fenfibly felt at a great diftance from the fpot where
the opening was made, proves clearly, that the fub-
terraneous fire was at a great depth below the furface
of the plain ; it is as clear that thofe earthquakes,
and the explofion, proceeded from the fame caufe,
the former having ceafed upon the appearance of the
latter. Does not this circumftance evidently contra-
dict the fyftem of M. Buffon, and of all the natural
hifiorians, who have placed the feat of the fire of
volcanos towards the center, or near the fummit of
the mountains, which they fuppofe to furnifli the
matter emitted ? Did the matter which proceeds from
a volcano in an eruption come from fo inconfiderable
a depth as they imagine, that part of the mountain
fituated above their fuppofed feat of the fire muft
necefiarily be deftroyed, or difiipated in a very (hort
time: on the contrary, an eruption ufually adds to
the height and bulk of a volcano, and who, that has
had an opportunity of making obfervations on vol-
canos does not know, that the matter they have
emitted for many ages, in lavas, afhes, fmoke, &c.
could it be collected together, would more than
fufiice to form three fuch mountains as the fimple
cone or mountain of the exifling volcano ? With re-
fpeCl to Vefuvius, this could be plainly proved j and I
refer to my letter upon the fubjeCt of Etna, to fhew
the quantity of matter thrown up in one fingle erup-

tion.

[ 3° 3

tion, by that terrible volcano. Another proof that
the real feat of the fire of volcanos lies even greatly
below the general level of the country whence the
mountain fprings, is, that was it only at an inconfi-
derable depth below the bafis of the mountain, the
quantity of matter thrown up would foon leave fb
great a void immediately under it, that the mountain
itfelf mufl: undoubtedly fink and difappear after a
few eruptions.

In the above accounts of the formation of the new
mountain, we are told that the matter firft thrown
up, was mud compofed of water and afhes, mixed
with pumice dones and other burnt matter: on the
road leading from Puzzole to Cuma, part of the
cone of this mountain has been cut away to widen
the road. I have there feen that its compofition is a
tufa intermixed with pumice, fome of which are
really of the fize of an ox, as mentioned in Toledo s
account, and exactly of the fame nature as the tufa
of which every other high ground in its neighbour-
hood is compofed j fimilar alfo to that which covers
Herculaneum. According to the above accounts,
after the muddy fhower ceafed, it rained dry afhes :
this circumflance will account for the flrata of loofe
pumice and aflaes, that are generally upon the furface
of all the tufas in this country, and which were moft
probably thrown up in the fame manner. At the
firfl: opening of the earth, in the plain near Puzzole,
both accounts fay, that fprings of water burft forth ;
this water, mixing with the allies, certainly occafioned
the muddy fhower \ when the fprings were ex-
haufted, there mufl; naturally have enfued a fliower
of dry afhes and pumice, of which we have been

likewife

[ 31 ]

llkewire affured. I own, I was greatly pleafed at
being in this inanner enabled to account fo well for
the tormation of thefe tufa ftones and the veins of dry
and loofe burnt matter above them, of which the
foil of almofl the whole country I am defcribing is
compofed j and I do not know that any. one has ever^
attended to this circumftance, though 1 find that
many authors, who have defcribed this country, have
fiilpeded that parts of it were formed by explofion.
Wherever then this fort of tufa is found, there is
certainly good authority to fufpedl its having been
formed in the lame manner as the tufa of this new
mountain ; for, as I faid before, nature is generally
uniform in all her operations.

It is commonly imagined that the new mountain
rofe out of the Lucrine lake which was deftroyed by
it; but in the above account, no mention is made of
the Lucrine lake; it may be fuppofed then, that the
famous dam, which Strabo and many other ancient
authors mention to have feparated that lake from the
fea, had been ruined by time or accident, and that
the lake became a part of the fea before the explofion
of 1538.

If the above defcribed eruption was terrible, that
which formed the monte Barbaro (or Gauro, as it
was formerly called), muft have been dreadful in-
deed. It joins immediately to the new mountain,
which in lliape and compofition it exaiflly refembles ;
but it is at leaf! three times as confiderable. Its crater
cannot be lefs than fix miles in circumference; the
plain within the crater, one of the mod; fertile fpots
1 ever fiiw, is about four miles in circumference;
there is no entrance to this plain, but one on the

EafI

[ 32 ]

Eaft fide ot the mountain, made evidently by art ; In
this fedlion you have an opportunity of feeing that
the matter, of which the mountain is compofed is
exa6tly fimilar to that of the monte Nuovo. It was
this mountain that produced (as fome authors have
fuppofed) the celebrated Falernian wine of the
ancients.

Cuma, allowed to have been the mofi: ancient city
o{ Italy, was built on an eminence, which is like-
wife compofed of iufa^ and may be naturally fuppofed
a fedtion of the cone formed by a very ancient ex-
lake of Avernns fills the bottom of the crater
of a mountain, undoubtedly produced by explofion,
and whofe interior and exterior form, as well as the
matter of which it is compofed, exadlly refemble the
monte Barbaro and monte Nuovo. At that part of
the bafis of this mountain which is wafhed by the
fea of the bay of Puzzole, the fand is ftill very hot,
though conftantly walked by the waves; and into the
cone of the mountain, near this hot fand, a narrow
palfage of about loo paces in length is cut, and leads
to a fountain of boiling water, which, though brack-
ilh, boils filli and flefli without giving them any bad
tafte or quality, as I have experienced more than
once. This place is called Nero’s* bath, and is ftill
made ufe of for a fudatory, as it was by the ancients;
the ftream that rifes from the hot fountain above-
mentioned, confined in the narrow fubterraneous
palfage, foon produces a violent perfpiration upon the
patient who fits therein. This bath is reckoned a great
fpecifick in that diftemper which is fuppofed to have
6 made

plofion,

The

[ 33 3

made Its appearance at Naples, before it fpread its
contagion over the other parts of Europe.

Virgil and other ancient authors fay, that birds
could not fly with fafety over the lake of Avernus,
but that they fell therein ; a circumftance favouring
my opinion that this was once the mouth of a vol-
cano. The vapour of the fulphur and other minerals
mufl: undoubtedly have been more powerful the
nearer we go back to the time of the explofion of
the volcano ; and I am convinced that there are ftill
fome remains of thofe vapours upon this lake, as I
have obferved there are very feldom any water fowl
upon it ; and that when they do go there, it is but
for a fhort time, whilft all the other lakes in the
neighbourhood are conftantly covered with them, in
the winter feafon. Upon mount Vefuvius, in the
year 1766, during an eruption, when the air was
impregnated with noxious vapours, I have myfelf
picked up dead birds frequently.

The caflile of Baia ftands upon a confiderable
eriiinence, compofed of the ufual tufa and flrata of
pumice and alhes, from which I concluded I fhould '
find fome remains of the craters from whence the
matter iflhed 5 accordingly, having afcended the hill,

I foon difcovered two very vifible craters, juft behind
the caftle.

The lake called the Mare morto was alfo, moft
probably, the crater from whence iflhed the materials
which formed the Promontory of Mifenum, and the
high grounds around this lake. Under the ruins of
an ancient building near the point of Mifenum, in a
vault, there is a vapour, or mofete. exactly fimilar in

VoL. LXI. F its

[ 34 ]

its effedls to that of the Grotto del Cane, as I have
often experienced.

The form of the little ifland of Nifida diews
plainly its origin. It is half a hollow cone of a vol-
cano cut perpendicularly; the half crater forms a little
harbour called the Porto Pavone; I fuppofe the other
half of the cone to have been detached into the fea
by earthquakes, or perhaps by the violence of the
waves, as the part that is wanting is the fide next to
the open fea.

The fertile and pleafant ifland of Prccita fhews
alfo mod: evident figns of its produdlion by explofion,
the nature of its foil being diredly fimilar to that of
Bai'a and Puzzole ; this ifland feems really, as was
imagined by the ancients, to have been detached from
the neighbouring ifland of Ifchia.

There is no fpot, I believe, that could afford a
more ample field for curious obfervations, than the
ifland of Ifchia, called Enaria, Inarime, and Pithe-
cufa, by the ancients. I have vifited it three times;
and this fummer paffed three weeks there, during
which time, I examined, with attention, every part
of it. Ifchia is eighteen miles in circumference : the
whole of its foil is the fame as that near Vefuvius,.
Naples, and Puzzole. There are numberlefs fprings,,
hot, warm, and cold, difperfed over the whole
ifland, the waters of which are impregnated with
minerals of various forts ; fo that, if you give credit to-
the inhabitants of the country, there is no diforder
but what finds its remedy here. In the hot months
(the feafon for making ufe of thefe baths), thofe who-
have occafion for them flock hither from Naples.

A cliari-

[ 35 ]

A charitable inftitutlon fends and maintains three hun-
dred poor patients at the baths of Gurgitelli every
feafon. By what I could learn of thefe poor patients,
thofe baths have really done wonders, in cafes attended
with obflinate tumours, and in contradlions of the
tendons and mufcles. The patient begins by bathing,
and then is buried in the hot fand near the fea. In
many parts of the ifland, the fand is burning hot,
even under water. The fand on fome parts of the
fhore is almofl entirely compofed of particles of iron
ore ; at leafl they are attradfed by the load-flone, as
I have experienced. Near that part of the ifland
called Lacco, there is a rock of an ancient lava,
forming a fmall cavern, which is fhut up with a
door ; this cavern is made ufe of to cool liquors and
fruit, which it does in a fliort time as effeftually as
ice. Before the door was opened, I felt the cold to
my legs very fenfibly j but when it was opened, the
cold ruflied out fo as to give me pain, and within the
grotto it w’as intolerable. I was not fenfible of wind
attending this cold ; though upon mount Etna and
mount Vefuvius, where there are caverns of this
kind, the cold is evidently occafioned by a fubterra-
neous wind : the natives call fuch places ventaroU,
May not the quantity of nitre, with which all thefe
places abound, account in fome meafure for fuch
extreme cold ? My thermometer was unluckily
broken, or I would have informed you of the exaA
degree of the cold in this ve?2taroli of ifehia, which
is by much the drongeft in its effeds I ever felt. The
ancient lavas of Ifehia fhew, that the eruptions there
have been very formidable; and hiflory informs us,
that its firft inhabitants w^re driven out of the ifland

F 2 by

[ 36 ] ■

by the frequency and the violence of them. There
are fome of thefe ancient lavas not lefs than two
hundred feet in depth. The mountain of St. Nicola,
on which there is at prefent a convent of hermits,
was called oy the ancients Epomeus j it is as high, if
not higher, than Vefuvius, and appears to me to be
a fection of the cone of the ancient and principal
volcano of the ifland, its compofition being all tufa
or lava. The cells of the convent abovernentioned
are cut out of the mountain itfelf ; and there you fee
plainly that its compofition no way differs from the
matter that covers Herculaneum, and forms the
monte Nuovo. There is no fign of a crater on the
top of this mountain, which rifes almofl to a fharp
point ; time, and other accidents, may be reafonably
fuppofed to have worn away this diftindtive mark of
its having been formed by explofion, as I have feen
to be the cafe in other mountains, formed evidently
" by explofion, on the flanks of Etna and Vefuvius.
Strabo, in his 5th book, upon the fubjedl of this
ifland, quotes Timsus, as having faid, that, a little
before his time, a mountain in the middle of Pithe-
cufa, called Epomeus, was fliook by an earthquake,
and vomited flames.

There are many other rifing grounds in this ifland^
that, from the nature of their compofition, rnufl
lead one to think the fame as to their origin. Near
the village of Cafliglione, there is a mountain formed
furely by an explofion of a much later date, having
preferved its conical form and crater entire, and pro-
ducing as yet but a flendcr vegetation : there is no
account, however, of the date of this eruption.
Nearer the town oflfchia, which is on the fea fhore,

at

[ 37 ]

at a place called Le Cremate, there is a crater, from
which, in the year 1301 or 1302, a lava ran quite
into the fea; there is not the leafl vegetation on this
lava, but it is nearly in the fame ftate as the modern
lavas of Vefiivius. Pontano, Maranti, and D. Fran-
cefco Lombardi, have recorded this eruption j the
latter of whom fays, that it lafted two months, that
many men and beafts were killed by the explolion,
and that a number of the inhabitants were obliged to
feek for refuge at Naples and in the neighbouring
iflands. In fliort, according to my idea, the ifland
of Ifchia muft have taken its rife from the bottom of
the fea, and been increafed to its prefent lize by di-
vers later explofions. This is not extraordinary,
when hiftory tells us (and from my own obfervation
I have reafon to believe) that the Lipary iflands were
formed in the like manner. There has been no
eruption In Ifchia flnee that jufl: mentioned, but earth-
quakes are very frequent there ; two years ago, as I'
was told, they had a very conflderable Ihock of an;
earthquake in this ifland.

Father Goree’s, account of the formation of the
new ifland in the Archipelago (fituated between the
two iflands called Kammeni, and near that of San-
torini) of which he was an eye-witnefs, flrongly
confirms the probability of the conjedlures I venture
to lend you, relative to the formation of thofe iflands
and that part of the continent above deferibed : it
feems likewife to confirm the accounts given by
Strabo, Pliny, Juftin, and other ancient authors, of
many iflands in the Archipelago, formerly called the
Ciclades, having fprung up from the bottom of the
fea in the like manner. According to Pliny, in the

3

[38]

4th year of the cxxxv Olympiad, 237 years before
the Chriftian asra, the ihand of 'Fhcra "(now Santorini)
and Therefia were formed by explofion j and, 130
years later, the ifland Hiera (now called the great
Kammeni) rofe up. Strabo delcribes the birth of this
illand in thefe words: “ In the middle fpace between
“ Thera and Therafia flames biirfl: out of thefea for
“ four days, which, by degrees, throwing up great
mafles, as if they had been raifed by machines,
they formed an illand of twelve fladia in circuit.”
And Juflin fays of the fame ifland, Rodem anno inter
infulas 'Theramenem et T^hercjiam^ medio utriufque ripce
et maris fpatio, teru^e motus fuit : in quo^ cum admira^
tione na^cigantium^ repcnte ex profundo cum calidis
aquis Lifula e?nerjit,

Pliny mentions alfo the formation of Afpronifl, or
the White Ifland, by explofion, in the time of
Vefpafian. It is known, likewife, that in the year
1628, one of the iflands of the Azores, near the
ifland of St. Michael, rofe up from the bottom of
the fea, which was in that place 160 fathoms deep;
and that this ifland, which w'as raifed in fifteen days,
is three leagues long, a league and a half broad, and
rifes three hundred and fixty feet above water.

Father Goree, in his account of the formation of
the new ifland in the Archipelago, mentions two dif-
tindl matters that entered into the compofition of this
ifland, the one black, the other white. Afpronifi,
probably from its very name, is compofed of the
white matter, which if, upon examination, fliould
prove to be a tufa^ as I flrongly fufpedl, I fliould
think myfelf flill more grounded in my conjedures ;
though I mufl: confefs, as it is, I have fcarcely a

doubt

[ 39 ]

doubt left with refped to the country I have been
defcribing having been thrown up in a long feries of
ages by various explofions from fiibterraneous fire.
Surely there are at prefent many exifting volcanos in
the known world j and the memory of many others
have been handed down to us by hiftory. May there
not therefore have been many others of fuch ancient
dates as to be out of the reach of hiflory ?

Such wonderful operations of nature are certainly
intended by all-wife Providence for fome great pur-
pofe. They are not confined to any one part of the
globe, for there are volcanos exiffing in the four
quarters of it. We fee the great fertility of the foil
thrown up by explofion, in part of the country I have
defcribed, which on that account was called by the
ancients Campania Felix. The fame circumffance is
evident in Sicily, juflly efleemed one of the moft
fertile fpots in the world, and the granary of Italy.,
May not fubterraneous fire be confidered as the great
plough (if I may be allowed the expreffion) which
nature makes ufe of to turn up the bowels of the earth,
and afford us ffefh fields to work upon, whilfh we
are exhaufling thofe we are adlually in poffeffion of,
by the frequent crops we draw from them ? Would
it not be found, upon enquiry, that many precious
minerals muft have remained far out of our reach,
had it not been for fuch operations of nature ? It is
evidently fo in this country. But fuch great enquiries
would lead me far indeed. I will only add a re-
fledlion, which my own little experience in this branch
of natural hiflory furnifhes me with. It is, that we
are apt to judge of the great operations of nature on
too confined a plan.. When firft 1 came to Naples,,

my

[ 40 ]

my whole attention, with refpedl to natural hiftoiy,
was confined to mount Vefuvius, and the wonder-
ful phaenomena attending a burning mountain ; but,
in proportion as I began to perceive the evident
marks of the fame operation having been carried
on in the different parts above defcribed, and
likewife in Sicily, in a greater degree, I looked upon
mount Vefuvius only as a fpot on which nature was
at prefent adive, and thought myfelf fortunate in
having an opportunity of feeing the manner in which
one of her great operations (an operation, I believe,
much lefs out of her common courfe than is gene-
rally imagined) was effeded.

Such remarks as I have made on the eruptions of
mount Vefuvius, during my refidence at Naples,
have been tranfmitted to the Royal Society, who have
done them more honour than they deferved. Many
more might be made upon this adive volcano, by a
perfon who had leifure, a previous knowledge of the
natural hiftory of the earth, a knov/ledge of che-
miflry, and was pradifed in phyfical experiments,
particularly thofe of eledricity. I am convinced that
the fmoke of volcanos contains always a portion of
eledrical matter, which is manifeft at the time of
great eruptions, as is mentioned in my account of the
great eruption of Vefuvius in 1767. The peafants
in the neighbourhood of my villa, fituated at the foot
of Vefuvius, have aflured me, that, during the erup-
tion lafi: mentioned, they were more alarmed by the
lightening and balls of fire that fell about them with
a crackling noife, than by the lava and the ufual
attendants of an eruption. I find in all the accounts
of great eruptions mention made of this fort of

lightening.

[41]

lightening which is diftinguifhed here by the name
of Ferilli. Bracini, in his account of the great one
of Vefuvius in 163 1, fays, that the column of fmoke,
which iffued from its crater, went over near an hun-
dred miles of country, and that feveral men and
beads were (truck dead by lightening, ilTuing from
this fmoke in its courfe.

The nature of the noxious vapours, called here
mofete, that are ufually fet in motion by an eruption
of the volcano, and are then manifed in the wells and
fubterraneous parts of its neighbourhood, feem like-
wife to be little underdood. From fome experiments
very lately made, by the ingenious Dr. Nuth, on the
mofete of the Grotto del Cane, it appears that all its
known qualities and effedls correfpond with thofe
attributed to fixed air. Jud before the eruption of
1767, a vapour of this kind broke into the king’s
chapel at Portici, by which a fervant, opening
the door of it, was (truck down. About the fame
time, as his Sicilian majedy was (hooting in a paddock
near the palace, a dog dropped down, as was fup-
pofed, in a fit i a boy going to take him up dropped
likewife j a perfon prefent, fufpedting the accident to
have proceeded from a mofete^ immediately dragged
them both from the fpot where they lay, in doing
which, he was himfelf fenlible of the vapour j the
boy and the dog foon recovered. His Sicilian majedy
did me the honour of informing me himfelf of this
accident foon after it had happened. I have met
with thefe mofetes often, when I have been making
my obfervations on the borders of mount Vefuvius,

VoL. LXI. G parti”

[ 42 ]

•pa»’tlcularly in caverns, and once on the Solfaterra,
I he vapour afTc«5ts the noilrils, throat, and ftomach,
jutl as the I'pirit of hartfliorn, or any drong volatile
lalts, and would i'oon prove fatal if you did not im-
mediately remove from it. Under the ancient city
of .Pompeii, the are very frequent and pow^er-

ful, fo that the excavations that are carrying on there
are often interrupted by them ; at all times mofetes
■are to be met with under ancient lavas of Vefuvius,
^particularly thofe of the great eruption of 1631. In
-berao’s account of the eruption of 1737, and in the
•-chapter upon mofete^y he has recorded I'everal curious
experiments relative to this pha^nomenon. The
•Canonico Recupero, wdio, as I mentioned to you in
a former letter, is watching the operations of mount
'Etna, has juft informed me, that a very powerful
inofete has lately manifelled itfelf iu the neighbour-
hood of Etna ; and that lie found near the fpot from
•whence it .rifes, animals, birds, and infedts, dead,
and the dronger fort of Ihrubs blafled, whild; the
grafs and tenderer plants did not feem to be
afFedled. The circumftance of this mofetey added to
.that of the frequent earthquakes felt lately at Rhegio
and Medina, makes it probable that an eruption of
>mountEtna is at hand.

I am alarmed at the length of this letter. By en-
deavouring to make myfelf clearly underflood, I
have been led to make, what I thought, necedary di-
gredions. I mud therefore beg of your goodnefs,
that, fhould you find this memoir in its prefent flate,
stoo tedious (which I greatly apprehend) to be pre-

fented

[ 43 ]

fented to our refpedable Society^ you will make
only fuch extrads from it as you fhall think will be
moft agreeable and interefling^ I am,

SIR,

With great truth and regard.

Your moft obedient humble fervant,.

William Hamilton.;

G S'

RsrsH—

f 44 ]

Rki-'erence-s to the Map, Tab. L

I. Naoles.

i

£. Portici.

3. Refina, under which Herculaneum is burled.

4. Torre del Greco.

5. Hermitage, at which travellers ufually reft, In

their way up mount Vefuvius.

6. St. Angelo, a convent of Calmaldolefe, fituated

upon a cone of a mountain formed by an
ancient explofion.

7. Cones formed by the eruption of 1760, and

lava that ran from them almoft into the fea.

8. Mount Vefuvius and Somma,

9. Village of Somma.

10. The convent of the Madona del Arco, under

which lavas have been found at 300 feet
depth, and which muft have proceeded from
the mountain of Somma, when an adtive
volcano.

1 1 . Ottaiano.

12. Torre del Annunziata.

13. Caftel a Mare, near which the ancient town of

Stabia is buried, and where Pliny the elder
loft his life.

14. Vico.

15. Sorrento, and the plain formed evidently by
, fubterraneous fire.

16. Mafia.

17. Ifland of Caprea.

18. The

T

Uhtlp-y. Tniux 1 . Xiib, i

\

« -t 4 1* j<<

Souuna

Gull' of
PUZZOLE
and ^AJA

l^isida'

^^Procita

f '//ti/f.

3*^

I

i

■i

1

4 ‘

(

#

1

L

f

[ 45 ]

18. The Grotto of Paufilipo, cut through the moun-

tain anciently, to make a road from Naples
to Puzzole.

19. Point of Paufilipo.

20. The Gaiola, where there are ruins of ancient

buildings, fuppofcd to have belonged ,to
LucuHus.

21. The ifland of Nifida, evidently formed by ex-

plofion.

22. The Lazaret.

23. The Bagnoli.

24. Puzzole, or Pozzuolo. ’ ■

25. The Solfaterra, anciently called Fofum Vulcani :

between the Solfaterra and 'the lake of Ag-
nano, are the boiling waters of the Pifciarelli.

26. The New Mountain, formed by explofion in

the year 1538; the fand of the fea fhore at
its bafis burning hot.

27. The lake of Agnano, fuppofed tho crater of an

ancient volcano : here are the baths called St.
Germano, and the famous Grotto del Cane.

28. Aftruni, which has been evidently a volcano, and

is now a Royal Chace, the crater being fur-
rounded with a wall.

29. The monte Gauro or Barbaro, anciently a

volcano.

30. The lake of Avernus, evidently the crater of aii

ancient volcano.

31. Lake of Fufaro.

32. Point of Miferium, from whetice Pliny the

elder difcovered the eruption of Vefavius that
proved fatal to him ; near this place, in a vault
of an ancient building, is a conftant vapour

or

r 46 ]

or mofetej of the fame quality with that of
the Grotto del Cane.

33. The Mare Morto, the ancient Roman Harbour.

34. Bai'aj behind the caftle are two evident craters

of ancient volcanos.

35. Ifland of Procita,

36. A perfeft cone and crater of a volcano near

Caftiglione in the ifland of Ifchia.

37. Lava that ran into the fea in the lafl eruption

on this ifland, in the year 1301, or 1302;.
the place now called Le Cremate*

38. Town of Ifchia and caftle.

39. Lake of Licola.

40. Lake of Patria.

41. The river Volturnus.

42. Capua.

43. Caferta.

44. Averfa.

45. Mataloni.

46. Acerra.

47. Ifland of Ifchia, anciently called ^Enaria, Inari-

me, and Pithecufa.

48. The mountain of St. Nicola, anciently called

Mons Epomeus, fuppofed the remains of the
principal volcano of the ifland.

49. Caftiglione, near which are the baths of Gur-

gitelli.

50. Lacco, near which is that very cold vapour called

by the natives ventarole.

3 1 . Ancient city of Pompeii, where his Sicilian ma-
jefty^s excavations are carrying on. at prefent.

52. Rovigliano.

53. River of Sarno.

54. Cu-

C 47 ]

54. Cuma.

55. Hot fands and Sudatory called Nero’s baths.

56. The Lucrine lake fuppofed to have been here,

and of which there is llili fome little re-
main.

57. Villa Angelica, Mr. Hamilton’s villa, from

whence he has made many of' his obferva-
tions upon mount Vefuvius.

58. Cones formed by an ancient eruption called

^iuli j here are likewife cold vapours called
’uentaroli,

59. High grounds, probably feaions of cones of an-

cient volcanos, being all compofed oi tufa and
flrata of loofe pumice and burnt matter.

60. Plain of the Campagna Felice, four or five feet

of excellent foil, under which are ftrata of
burnt and erupted matter.

i , , , . . Marks the boundary of Mr. Hamilton’s
obfervations.

II. Extract

[ 48 ]

II. ExtraB of another Letter^ from Mr»
Hamilton, to Dr. Maty, on the famt
SubjeB.

Naples, March 5, 1771.

Read May 30, I had the pleafure of fending

you my letter, in which the nature of
the foil of more than twenty miles round this capital
is deferibed ; examining a deep hollow way cut by
the rain waters into the outlide cone of the Solfaterra,
I difeovered, that a great part of the cone of that
ancient volcano has been calcined by the hot vapours
above deferibed. Pumice calcined feems to be the
chief ingredient, of which feveral fpecimens of (as I
fuppofe) variegated uniform marble are compofed, and
the beautiful variegations in them may have probably
been occalioned by the mineral vapours. As thefe
fpecimens are now fent to the Royal Society, you will
fee that thefe variegations are exadtly of the fame
pattern and colours as are met in many marbles and
flowered alabaftersj and I cannot help thinking that
they are marble or alabafter in its infant ftate.
What a proof we have here of the great changes the
earth we inhabit is fubjedl to ! What is now the
Solfaterra, we have every reafon to fuppofe, to have
been originally thrown up by a fubterraneous explo-
fion from the bottom of the fea. That it was long

i an

[ 49 ]■

an exifting volcano, is plain, from the ancienf cur-
rents of lava, that are ftill to be traced from its crater
to the fea, from the ftrata of pumice and erupted
matter, of which its cone, in common with thofe of
all other volcanos, is compofed, and from the tefti-
inony of many ancient authors. Its cone in many
parts has been calcined, and is ftill calcining, by the
hot vapours that are continually iffuing forth through
its pores, and its nature is totally changed by this
chemical proeds of nature. In the hollow way,
where I uiade thefe remarks, you fee the different
ffrata of erupted matter, that compofe the cone in
fome places perfedly calcined,’ in others not, accord-
ing as the vapours have found means to infinuate
themfelves more or lefs.

A hollow way cut by the rains on the back of the
mountain, on which part of Naples is fituated, to-
wards Capo di China, diews that the mountain is
compofed of ffrata of erupted matter, among which
are large maffes of bitumen, in which its former
ffate of fluidity is very vifible. Here it was I dlf-
covered that pumice ftone is produced from bitu-
men, which 1 believe has not yet been remarked.
Some fpecimens ffiew evidently the gradual procefs
from bitumen to pumice; and you will obferve that
the cryffalline vitrifications, that are vifible in the
bitumen, fuffer no alteration, but rem-ain in the fame
ffate in the perfed pumice as in the bitumen.

In a piece of ffratum, calcined from the out-
fide of the Solfaterra, ahe form and texture of
the pumice ffones is very difcernible. In feveral
parts of the outfide cone, this calcining operation is
ffill carried on by the exhalation of conffant very hot
VoL. LXI. H and

[so]

ami damp vapours, impregnated with falts, fulphur,
alum, &c. Where the above-mentioned vapours
have not operated, the ftrata of pumice and erupted
matter, that compofe the cone of the Solfaterra,
are like thofe of ail the high grounds in its neigh-
bourhood, which I fuppofe to have been thrown up
likewife by explofion. I have feen here, half of a
large piece of lava perfedlly calcined, whihl the
other half out of the reach of the vapours has been
untouched •, and in fome pieces the center feems to
be already converted into true marble.

The variegated fpecimens then, above deferibed,
are nothing more than pumice and erupted matter,
after having been adted upon in this manner by the
hot vapours ; and if you conhder the procefs, as I
have traced it, from bitumen to pumice, and from
pumice to marble, you will think with me that it is
difficult to determine the primitive date of the many
wonderful produdfions we fee in nature.

I found in the tufa of the mountain of Paufilipo,
a fragment of lava: one fide I polifbed, to ffiew
it to be true lava j the other ffiews the figns of
the tufay with which it is incorporated. It has evi-
dently been rounded by fridlion, and mod probably
by rolling in the fea. Is it not natural then to ima-
sine that there mull have been volcanoes near this
fpot, long before the formation of the mountain of
Paufilipo ? This little ftone may perhaps raife in your
mind fuch refiedlions, as it did in mine, relative to
the great changes our globe fuifers, and the proba-
bility of its great antiquity.

III. A

[ 51 ]

III. A Letter fr om Dr, Franklyn, F, R.
to the AJironomer Royal ; containmg an
Obfervation of the Fran fit of Mercury over
the Sun, November (^th 1769 : By John
Winthrop, Lfq\ F. R, S, Hollifian Pro--
feffor of Mathematics and- Natural Philo^
fophy at Cambridge, New England.

Dear Sir,

Craven-ftreet, Feb. 12, 1770.

HAVE juft received a letter from
Mr. Winthrop, dated Dec. 7, contain*
ing the following account, viz,

“ On Thurfday the 9th of November, I had an
“ opportunity of obferving a tranfit of Mercury. I
“ had carefully adjufted my clock to the apparent
“ time, by correfpondent altitudes of the Sun; taken
“ with the quadrant for feveral days before, and with
‘‘ the fame refledfing telefcope as I ufed for the tranfit
“ of Venus I firft perceived the little planet
“ making an imprefiion on the Sun’s limb at 2^ 52'

; and he appeared wholly within at 53' 58"
apparent time. The fun fet before the planet
** reached the middle of his courfe; and for a con- 1

See Phil, Tranfaft. Vol. LIX. p. 352.

H 2 p fiderable

Read Jan. 10,
1771,

[ 52 ]

“ fiderable time before funfet, it was fo cloudy, that
“ the planet could not be difcerned. So that I made
“ no obfervations of confequence except that of the
beginning, at which time the Sun was perfedly
“ clear. This tranfit compleats three periods of
“ 46 years, fince the firft obfervation of Gaflendi at
Paris, in 1631.”

I am, SIR,

With great efteem.

Your moft obedient fervant,

B, Franklin*

IV. Ohfer.^

[ 53 ]

I V. Ohfervations on the Heat of the Grotmd
on Mount Vefuvius : By John Howard,
Efq\ F, R, S,

Read Jan. 17, BEG leave to lay before this Society,
1771- fome obfervations which I made laff

June, on the heat of the ground on mount Vefuvius,
near Naples.

On my afeending the mountain, I often immerged
the bulb of a thermometer in the ground, but found
no fenfible heat for fome time : the iirll: riling in

my thermometer, was 114°; every two or three
minutes, I obferved the inflrument, till I gained the
fummit. At thofe times, I found it riling to 122°, 137%
147°, 164°, and 172°: on the top, in two places,
where I made the obfervations, in tlie interllices be-
twixt the hard lava, itw'as2i8°. Such a degree of
heat, after I had 'overcome the inconvenience of the
exhalations, raifed n*y curiolity to know if there was
a flill greater degree of heat in the mouth of the faid
mountain. Accordingly, I made a fmall defeent,
and, by two obfervations I carefully and attentively-
made, my thermometer both times flood at
240°.

John Howard.

P. S. It

[ 54 ]

P, S. If it flioiild be afked, how a perfon, cither
to their feet or in {looping or laying down to make
the obfervations, could endure fuch a degree of heat;
I anfwer, that the heat, both at top and in the mouth
of the mountain, was only in particular places. This
was known by the fumes ; the hard maflcs of lava
are only warm, and even fo tolerable as to permit me,
to lay on them, as I was often obliged to do, when
the thermometer was immerged, to make a true
obfervation.

V. Dc.

J^bilvsTraft,/. TahJ^/..55.

(f: /./ftur^ /C/t'rifafit ,y.'

i

[ 55 ]

V. Defer ip tion of a Bird from the Eafl
Indies ; in a Letter to James Weft,
Lfq\ P ref dent of the Royal Society ; from
Mr, George Edwards, F. R. S.

SIR,

Read Jan. 17,
1771.

N Auguft laft, a friend of mine car-
ried me with him to Valentine Houfe,
near Ilford in Effex, the feat of Charles Raymond,
Efq; to fee fome curious birds and other animals,
from the Eafl Indies j amongft thefe, I difeovered a
rare bird, not before known to me It is of a
new genus, and the only fpecies of the genus
hitherto come to my knowledge. It is about the
bignefs of a heron [fee Tab. II.] j- and has a
good deal of the appearance of birds of the heron
and crane kind, except that the neck is a little
fhorter. On hrd: fight, I thought the bird belonged
to that genus ; but, on a clofer view, I judged it to
be no wader in the water, for though the legs be as
long or longer than in herons. See. yet they are fea-
thered down to the knees, which we do not find in
birds who wade in fihallow waters, to feek their

* This bird was deferibed, under the name of the Sagittarius
from the Cape of good Hope, by Mr. Vofmaer, keeper of the
Statholder’s Mufeum at the Hague, in one of his publications
in low Dutch, printed at Amfterdam,i769, in 4to,with a coloured
cut of the faid bird. It Teems to feed equally on flefii and fidi ;
’^'hich accounts for his uniting the charadlers of birds of prey,
and of waders in water. M. M»

food.

[ 5^ ]

food. The toes in this bird are alfo much rtiorter than '
they are in herons, fo that I tliink it mufl; be placed
amongft land birds. The bill is exactly like thofe
of hawks, and other birds of prey, which is the
only inftance I luve diicovered in any of the long
legged kind of birds ; the talons or claws are fmall
and unfit for a biid of prey, and the eyes arc of
a dark colour placed in fpaces covered with a bare
fkin of an oiange colour, on each fide of the head.
It hath a beautiful crefl; compofed of many long
painted feathers tipped witli black hanging back-
ward. The beak, head, neck, back, bread, and
upper covert feathers of the wings are of a blueilli
afh colour, rather lighter on' the bread; than on the
back. The belly, thighs, the greater wing-feathers,
and tail, are black, the tail feathers being tipped
with white ; the legs and feet are of a reddidi fiefli
colour, the claws black. This bird was called a
fnake-eater, by thofe who brought it from India. I
believe it may prey on fmall lerpents, lizards, and
other fmall reptiles. Another bird was brought with
this, fuppofed to be the male of this fpecies, which
died foon after it was landed Mr. Raymond’s fer-
vant told me that it was fomething larger, and the
cred longer, the head black, but that in other re-
fpeds the two birds agreed. .

I am, SIR,

Your mod humble fervant,

College of Phyficlans,
January, 1771.

Geo. Edwards.

VII. An

[ 57 ]

An JLxtraB from the Reg’fer of the Tar'f f Holy-Crofs tn
Salopj_ being a Second ^ Decade of l^ears from Michelmas, T760, to
Michaelmas, 1770, carefully dlgefed In the following Rablci by the
Rev. William Gorllich, Mlnfler of that

Read January 24, 1771

Parilh.

r, ■ , j Males.

1:, . j f Males,

huned. ,

L r c males.

4

•o

-

<S

vO

r<

CO

0

0

u-

0

0

'hT

0

0

HH

o'

0 ! r-.

.7

18

20

15

19

23

22

17

22jl8

14

20

22

2]

19

16

30

9

20J7.

1 1

1 1

16

I 4

19

33

1 1

19

I2jl5

H

15

2C

I 5

‘9

54

X y

20

14:19

Total.

'94\ o«3

! 365-

:.04 J

Increafs i

J •

Under a month
I* rom a month to
From I
2

5

10

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

«5

90

a year
to 2

^5

20

25

n

O

35

4

45

50^

55

tc

65

70

75

80

85

90

93

95

101;

1 761

ll.

f.

3

1

2

1

I

1

I

1

0

0

1

0

]

I

0

t

]

I

0

0

2

0

2

I

0

0

2

0

1

0

1

m

1 762 1 763
tn. t.

0 3
3 3

3 3

1 2

,T1. f,
2 O

I I

0 2

1 O
0 I

r o

Males.
1764 1765

in. t.

3 c

3

1
1

I

n. r.

0 5

2 o

1766

n,

r

0 1

1 I
I I

0 o

1 5

1 2

2 i

5

3
1 1

5

0
2
2

1

0

1

1

2
o
2

0

2

o

0

1
'I

J

f. Females.
1767 1760 1769
m. I
r ]

2 :

o J

m.

f.

n

0

0

5

5

I

3'

2

0

2

■3

X

]

2

I

c

t

0

1

1

i

0

I

c

0

I

0

I

2

1

0

1

X

0

1

0

0

2

0

I

0

0

2

0

I

0

I

2k

0

I

o

o

T n r-r

in. ■
I c

3

X

0

2

X

I

'j

X

1

0

I

1

0

r

J,

2

(

0

/

2

1

2

X

X

c

VoL. LXI.

In lot. LII. Part i, drl, 25. fee the Firji Decade.

Total

2S

48

24

39

'■^3
5
1 1

5

5

5

H

i6
1 1

14

15

■20

18

20

13

23

4

5

r

z

There

[ 58 ]

There remain alive,

Under ten years of age, { | 248.

From 70 to 75

f Males
1 Females 21 J

F

rom 80 to 85 1 3

Lremaleso

From 75 to 80

f Males ^ ]• 1 1
1 Females 3 J V

From 8s to 90

Di tempers and

Cafualties.

Accidents

5

Convulfions

3'

Palfy

3

Ague

j

Dropfy

20

Small-pox

46

Apoplexy

5

Drowned

7

Teeth

5

Afthina

3

Evil

4

Untimely

7

Cancer

2

Fever

35

Worms

4

Childbed

4

Jaundice

4

Chincough

Confumption

6

lOl

Impoflhume

Meazies

2

15

N.B. The remainder died
of a natural decay, with-
out any diftemper.

Houfes or Families in 1765, 249 — 101770, 240.

Ditto, paying window-tax, in 1765, jo — in 1770, 65.

Void houfes, none.

Numberof perfonsin 1765, 1096
Ditto, in 1770, 1046

Acres.

In arable and paflure land 14CO
Gardens, yards, and houfes 300

1700

There is no vvafle land.

In the year 1767, nine houfes
were pulled down, to open a
way for building a new llone
bridge over the river Severn,
by which forty* four perfons
were removed ; fix continued
in the parifh, and thirty-eight
went out of the parifh.

I

VII. ^

C 59 3

V'll. A, Letter from Mr, Stephen de Vifme
to Mathew Maty, M, D. Sec. R. S. con-
taining an acount of the ?nanner^ in which
the Chinefe heat their rooms.

S I R,

Read Jan. 31, y | \ E great pleafure I have in oblig-
JL rendering any fervice to

your Royal and illuftrious Society, made me requefi:
the Rev. P. Gramont, miffionary, (a man of great
family and fenfe, whom I was acquainted with at
Canton before he was ordered to Pekin, by the Em-
peror) to make enquiries, and colleft any curiofity
ufeful to philofophy, mechanicks, and natural hif-
tory, that might be ufeful to mankind, and agreeable
to the curious. He has been fo polite to tranfmit me
the model of a Chinefe furnace, ufed to warm the
apartments 3 together with a mufter of different coals,
lime, &c. for the Royal Society, which I fend to
my brother Co be tranfmitted to you ; and I ffiall
be happy that it comes fafe to your han(!s. Father
Loreyro, miffionary and phyfician to the King of
Cochin China (a gentleman we are greatly obliged
to for his humanity, in cloathing, feeding, and getting
a paffage to fome poor fhipwrecked feamen of the
Earl Temple) ; is at work upon drawing a correefi

I e draught

[ 6o }

draught of that coaft and Cambodia ; and I hope^
when finifhed, to obtain one' for the Society.

I embrace this opportunity* of alfo making you
an offer of my fervices, and lubfcribing myfelf with
the greateft efteem and regard,

Sir,

Your moft obedient

Cantoa,
©4't, 8, 177a.

humble fervant,

Step, de Vifme*

* Unfortunately this gentleman died at Canton foon after the
date of this letter, which deprives the Royal Society, and the
public, of the very curious and ufeful informations they raighi.
have expedled from him..

vnr. Ak

[ ]

VIII. Aji Accowu of the Kang, or Chinefe
ibioveSy by Father Gramont, tranjlated
from the French.

Readjaa. 31, f- | 1HE greateft of all maflers is want.

i77°* Jl^ It is a fpur to genius, gives wings
to induftry, and points out fuch relburces as neither
learning nor curiolity would ever have contrived.
This it is which has taught the Chinefe to make ufe of
feacoal to warm their houfes, and to procure to them-
felves the benefit of its heat without being annoyed
by its offenfive fmoak. Thisdifcovery of the Chinefe
might perhaps be of ufe in the great city of London^
and thole parts of England, where this fuel is burnt
in rooms. The warm concern the Royal Society has
always fhewn for whatever affeds the lives or wel-
fare of the community, induces us to hope for a
favourable acceptance nf a model of the Chinefe
Kang, which we apprehend may be conducive to
thofe beneficent purpofes ; we therefore have added
fuch explanations as will give an infight into the
theory of it, that it may be made known, and im-
proved upon.

May the illuflrious and celebrated Royal Society
confider this trifle as a token of our profound refped,,
and accept it as a fmall acknowledgement of our
gratitude for the favours beflowed upon us, wretched
and afflided as we are ! As we have the honour
to write to gentlemen eminent for their learning,.

we

[ 6a ]

we fliall only relate and defcribe what is moft ef^
fential.

I. A Kang Is a kind of flove, that is heated by
means of a furnace, which cafts all its heat into it.
hlany kinds of iloves, ovens, and furnaces, have in-
deed been contrived beyond fea, which are fome-
what like this ; but the Chinefe feemed to have found
means to unite all their conveniences and ufes in
the Kang. They are of various forts, the Kang with
a pavement, or Ti-Kang ; the Ka?tg for fitting peo-
ple, or Koa-Kang ; and the chimney Katigy or ‘To7ig~
Kang. As they are all made upon the fame prin-
ciple, we fhall confine ourfelvcs to the -defeription
of the Kao-Kangy from which the model (Tab. iii.)
is taken.

The parts of a Kang are, i. a furnace j 2. a pipe
for the heat} 3. a brick ftovej 4. two funnels for
the fmoke.

The furnace is proportioned to the fize of the
ftove it is intended to heat. A is the afli hole. B
the cellar. C the furnace. D the flit, or mouth,
that conveys the flame and heat into the flove.
E The pipe or conductor for the heat. F begins at
tlie mouth of the furnace, and forms a channel
which falls in a right angle upon a fecond, that
goes quite through under the middle of the floor ;
and this lafl; pipe has vent holes, G, here and there.
The ftove is a pavement made of bricks, H, which
being fupported at the four corners by little folid
piles, I, leaves a hollow fpace between them and the
under pavement, where the heat remains pent up,
and warms the floor. The fmoke funnels are at both
ends of the ftove L, with a little opening M upon
2 * the

P/tt/o.f'. 7'/y///,r.Jff/. ZXr. TahM.^/.

.y^iwinr i/// 1'/ ‘>t’-

[ 63 ]

the ftove, and another N outward, which carries off
the fmoke.

Nothing can be more limple than the effeft re-
fulting from the affemblagc of all thefc parts. The
heat of the furnace, impelled by the outward air, and
attraded by the rarefied air of the ftove, rufhes
through the flit, afcends into the tube, fpreads through
the ftove by the vent holes, heats the bricks, and
from them the whole room. The fmoke, which-
has a free paflage, is carried off by the funnels.

2. Admitting this defcription, which explains the
model ; let us next confider what is requifite for th«
conftrudion of a good Kang. The furnace may
be placed either in the room itfelf, or in the next
room, or without doors. The poor, who are glad
to make the moft of the firing that warms the
Kiio-Kang, on which they fit by day, and fleep by
night, place the furnace in the fame room j the
middling fort put it in an adjoining room ; the rich
and great have it on the outfide, and moft com-
monly behind the north wall. The furnace muff
be much below the level of the flove, that the
heat and flame niay afcend with the greater im-
petuofity into the condudor, and not drive up the
aflies. The furnace is in the form of a cone, fome-
what arched, that the adivity of the heat and flame
may be all impelled into the ffove, and not fly olf
when the aperture at the top is left open. Note,,
that the two little moveable flips are planks, that
take up occafionally, when people want to go down
into the cellar and empty out the aflies. The
opening in the furnace is narrow, • and the lower
end of the condudor mufl: go quick up into the

lloves

[ 6+ ]

ftove. The condu6lor is to be walled in very clofe
on all fides with bricks, and well cemented with
mortar made oi^ quick lime. That which the Chinefe
iile is made with one part of white lime to two
of black. The black lime, of which we fend a
fample, is found at the entrance of tlie coal pits, and
feems to us to be no other than coals dihblved bv
rain waters. We can attelf that this fubdance mixed
with white lime makes excellent mortar, nearly rc-
fembling cement. It is proof againd rain and fun,
and is ufed here to cover and dielter whatever is ex-
pofed to the weather. We diould rejoice if this
hint could prove ufeful to the Britidi nation. If
their country affords black lime, they are polfcdcd
of a great treafure.

The ground or dooring of the dove may be of
beaten clay, or, what is infinitely better, bricks placed
cdgewifc, or large paving tiles.

The funnel for the fmoke, or rather the two fun-
nels, mud be made with great care. Some make
them terminate in little chimneys, that carry off the
fmoke above the roof. In the model, they open into
the room, as the city poor have them ; but in the
country, and in gentlemen’s houfes, they are on the
outfide.

It is of confequence that the little piles which
fupport the great fquare bricks of the floor be very
folid, and the bricks very thick and perfcdtly fquare.
The Chinefe bind them with a fort of cement made
of white and black lime, fempered with ‘Tong Teoii^
which is a kind of varnifh. We are apt to think
walnut or linfeed oil boiled would do as well.

As

■ C 65 ]

As foon as the Kang is compleated, fire is
kindled in the furnace, to dry it quick and even. Great
diligence mud be ufed in examining it, in order to
flop up all the little holes through which the fmoke
might efcape. The wealthy, to moke their Kang
neater, and to moderate its heat, oil the bricks of the
floor, and light the fire, to make the oil penetrate
deeper, and to dry them the fafler. This oil is again
the Tong Teou^ and may be fupplied with walnut
oil.

3. The Ti Kang^ or paved Kang, is made like the
Kao Kang juft defcribed ; the only difference la, 1°,
The pipe for the heat goes on rifing from the mouth
of the furnace to the further end of the room. 2°,
It does not communicate with a fecond pipe, as in
the model. 3°, The vent holes that convey the heat
into the ftove are all made narrow next the furnace,
and go widening towards the ftove. 4°, The fun-
nels for the fmoke always terminate without doors,
or end in the little chimneys. 5°, In the Emperor’s
palace and thofe of princes, the ftove is covered with
two rows of bricks, to confine the fmoke, and to
moderate the heat.

Note, That the bricks in the royal apartments
are two feet fquare, and four inches thick. They
coft near a hundred crowns apiece; and are fb
beautiful, good and folid, that you can have no
conception of any fuch thing beyond the feas. They
are grey; but this is owing to the Chinefe 'manner
of baking their bricks and tiles, which comes nearer
to that of the antients than ours. Theie bricks when
coloured and glazed appear as fine as marble. The
VoL. LXI. K coloured

[ 66 ]

To7ig-Ka77g, or the Kang built in the wall, differ
from the ‘■Ji-Kang only by its perpendicular portion j
the theory is the fame.

4. The Kang is heated by lighting a fire in the
furnace. The fmoke and even the flame ruflies
violently into the pipe, and is carried off by the vent
holes all through the ftove, where, being pent up, it
heats the bricks of the pavement in the fpace of five
or fix hours ; when a Kang is thoroughly heated,
very little fire is required to keep it warm, though
here the thermometer is almoft all the winter at 9,
10, and even 12 or 13 degrees below the freezing
point (in Reaumur’s thermometer) ; and although all
the rooms are on the ground floor, and have nothing
but windows, and thole paper windows, all over the
front, which is commonly to the fouth, the warmth
of the Kang is fufheient to keep up their tempera-
ture at 7 or 8 degrees above frofl:, with very little
fire confiantly kept up. It feldom rifes to more than
4 or 5 degrees in the Emperor’s apartments, owing
to the double row of bricks, but the warmth is very
gentle and very penetrating.

As a Kang is heated by a furnace, any kind of
fuel will do, vi%. wood, charcoal, fea coal, furze, &c.
The Chinefe make the mofl of every thing. In the
palace they burn nothing but wood, or a kind of
coal which neither fmoaks nor fmells, and burns
like tinder. The generality of people burn fea coal :
the poor in the country make ufe of furze, flraw,
cow dung, See.

A great faving may accrue from the following ob-
fervation •, the Chinefe, to fave coals, pound them to

the

[ 67 ]

the fize of coarfe gravel, and mix them with one
third, or even an equal quantity, of good yellow clay.
This mixture being well kneaden, they make it up
into bricks, which (Irike a greater heat than wood,
and come incomparably cheaper. The fea coal thus
tempered is far lefs offenfive ; and befides, the Chinefe,
in order to draw off the noifom vapours of the air,
conftantly heated by the coal fire, always keep bowls
of water in the rooms, and renew them now and
then. The gold fifhes that are kept in thefe bowls
are both an ornament and amufement. In the
palace, the Emperor’s apartments are decorated with
flower pots, and little orange trees, &c. The
Chinefe philofophers pretend that this is the beft way
to fweeten the air, and abforb the fiery particles dif-
perfed in it. They likewife leave two panes open
night and day at the top of each window, to re-
new the air, which they think is too much rarefied
by the heat. Thefe particulars may appear too
trifling to be laid before the Royal Society j but, as
they relate to the prefervation of their fellow citizens,
we hope the worthy members will make allowances
in favour of the motive.

5. The Kang is attended with many advantages
and conveniencies. 1°, The rich and great are not
expofed to the troublefome attendance on a fire in the
chimney, and enjoy all its benefits. 2°, The poor
ufe all forts of fuel without any other expence than
what the kitchen requires, and have the comfort of
fitting warm by day, and lying warm by night. The
fire in the furnace ferves to drefs vidtuals, and to heat
the ftove. The poor go further flill : they enclofe
within the brick work of the Kang a veflel, either

K 2 of

6

[ 68 ] .

of copper tinned, or of iron, which fapplies them
with hot water for their tea. This water evaporates
in the night, moiftens the air of the room, and ab-
forbs the noxious particles of the fea coal. We
cannot forbear dwelling upon thefe little ceconomi-
cai obfervations, as our aim is public utility. The
Chinefe are wont to fay. The Emperor can build a
palace, and cannot make a flirub ; one word from
his mouth makes a nobleman of a mere citizen, but
ail his wifhes and prayers cannot prolong the lives
of his favourites one iingle moment.

It is not our part to point out what ufe might be
made of the Chinefe Kang beyond the feas j but we
apprehend that the Ti-Kang might be a profitable
improvement for hofpitals, manufactories, &c. and
a pleafing one for the rich. The To?ig~Kang pro-
perly managed would do very well in upper rooms,
and would afford warmth for the bed-chamber, and
fire for the drefling-room. The Kao-Kang feems
lefs adapted to the cuftoms and manners of Europe,
but induflry might find fome ufe for it in the coun-
try. Should the Kang be rejected on account of
its novelty, fome hints might ftill be taken from
its conftruCtion for the ufe ot feveral kinds of handi-
craft.

The Chinefe fea coal may give fome infight into
the formation, qualities, ufes, and nature of this fingu-
ra! folhl; but this would require a feparate paper.
All we fliall here obferve is, that, as far as we can,
judge from the famples we have feen, it feems for
the moft part to be a ftone diffolved by the waters,
and impregnated with fulphur. Its hurtful qualities
proceed from a mixture of antimony, copper, iron,

See.

[ ]

&c. The beft coal, and that which burns fierceft,
is glolTy, hard, and brittle. The Chinefe are very
fond of that fort that flies, and fnaps in the fire, to
burn in their forges, becaufe it contains a great deal
of falt-petre. When the flame is blue, it is very
fierce, but it is too dangerous, as the fulphur is too
predominant.

Peking, 22 Odt. 1769.

P. S. If we have expreffed ourfelves improperly,
which would not be very furprizing, confidering how
little we are verfed in thefe matters^ and how little
time we can fpare for Europe, we are ready to re-
trad: whatever may be thought amifs, and to give
what further informations may at any time be de-
fired. Whoever has fo loved the Chinefe for ChrifPs
fake as to come and feek them in this far country,
has not divefled himfelf of his attachment to Europe,
and will ever be folicitous for the welfare of thofe he
has left behind, and endeavour to promote it, both
by their prayers, and imparting whatever may con-
duce to alleviate the mileries of this Ihort life.

In what a ftriking light do we here fee the vanity
of the world, the intoxication of philofophy, and
the wretchednefs of thofe who know nothing of
Jefus Chrift ! Learning, vice, and idolatry, go hand
in hand in the fandiiary of policy ; which knows
nothing but the Creator of the world, whom the
Chinele worflflp on their knees, and difhonour in
their lives.

As

[ 70 ]

As there is room left in the box that contains the
model, we have put in fome little fpecimens of fea
coal.

N° A. I, 2, 3, different forts of fea coal, or ra-
ther ftones diffolved, and turned to coals.

N° B. I, 2, fea coal, fuch as is burnt here. N°. 2
is the beft. N° 3. is the fame coal turned to black
lime. This you may be convinced of, by diffolving
it in water, and mixing it with white lime.

N"* C. I, 2, 3, 4, feveral degrees of bad coal,
which produces a dangerous fmoke that occafions
fainting fits. N° 4. is the worft, and is ^laid by for
the ufe of forges, whenever it is found.

N° D. is a kind of Clinker, extradled from the
afhes of fea coal. That which produces the greateft
quantity of it is reckoned the beft.

If the Society fhould be defirous of further in-
formations concerning the fea coal, we muft beg to
be favoured with particular queftions ; but let it be
remembered, that we are not within reach of fuch
helps as chemiftry would afford, nor can elucidate
the matter by experiments.

IX, Account

[ 71 ]

IX. Account of a rema7'kable l^himder Storm
In a Letter from the Rev. Anthony Wil-
liams, ReEior of St. Keverne, in Corn-
wal, to the Rev. William Borlafe, D.D.
F. R. S.

Dear Sir,

Keverne, Aug. 27, 1770.

Read Feb. 7, T HAVE received yours, which, I muft
confefs, I ought to have anrwered

much fooner.

For leveral days before the thunder ftorm which
fell on St. Keverne fpire and church, on Sunday the
18th day of February laft, the wind was very hard
at North and North Weft, accompanied with violent
fhowers of hail, which had done fome damage to
the roof of the church, and many houfes in the
church-town. On the Sunday morning above-men-
tioned, the wind being at North-weft, from five
o’clock during almoft the whole day the wind was
exceftive hard j and about fix, I faw fome few
faint flafhes of lightning, which, as the day came
on, if it continued, became imperceptible. The
weather being fo bad, prevented a great nurnber of
people from coming to church, which in all human
probability was a happy circumftance j for, about a

quarter

• •

C 72 ]

quarter after a eleven o’clock, while I was in the latter
end of the Litany fervice, we had a very fierce flafh
of lightning, followed at the difiance of about four
or five feconds by the loudeft thunder I remem-
ber ever to have heard ; but which did no damage,
nor Teemed in the leaft to difiurb any of the congre-
gation, though at the fame time the roof of the
church was rifling, and the hail made a noife ter-
rible to be heard. In half a minute after this, as
near as I can pofiibly guefs, the whole congregation,
except five or fix perfons, were at once ftruck out of
their fenles. I myfelf received the Ihock To luddenly
as not to remember I either heard the thunder or
fiw the lightning : the firfi; thing that I can recolledl
with any degree of certainty is, that I found myfelf
in the vicarage feat, which is very near the defk,
without either gown or furplice, bearing in my arms
as I then thought a dead fifier, and God knows it was
a miracle that The was not fo; 1 perceived a very
ftrong fulphureous fmell, almofi; fuffocating, and a
great heat. At this time the confufion among the
congregation was inconceivable, Tome running out of
the church for fafety, and returning into it again
(for the ftones from the roof were falling on our
heads, both in and out of the church) ; fome on
their knees, imploring the divine affifiance, giving
themfelves up to certain deftrudtion ; and a great
many, in different places of the church, lying quite
motionlefs, whom I thought then to be quite dead.

In the afternoon, my thoughts being a little com-
pofed (I believe for full two hours I could not be
laid to be rightly in my fenfes), I walked to the
church, to fee what damage was done j and fuch a

fcene

C 73 ]

fcene prefented, as is horrible to think of, much
more to fee. The church-yard was almoft full of
ruins i the fpire, which was about forty- eight feet
high from the battlements of the tower, was carried
off half way down, and the remaining part cracked
' in four places very irregularly down to the bottom.
The north fide of the tower from the battlements to
the arch of the bell chamber window was quite out,
except the corner fiones, which remained firm and
unremoved ; the lead on the top of the tower was
greatly damaged, melted in feveral places, and as it
were rolled together. The arch of the belfry door,
which was very flrongly built with a remarkable hard
iron fione, laid in lead, was alfo greatly damaged ;
fome of the fiones were cracked crofs-ways, and jufl
removed out of their places, others were quite hove
out, and the lead between the joints not only melted,
but loofened fo as that you might pick it out witlv
your fingers. The traces of the lightning were here
difcovered along the furface of the earth j the fiones
were thrown from the fpire on the tops of many
houfes in the Church Town, but did no great hurt;
in a gentleman’s houfe, one flone weighing fourteen
pounds fell through the roof into the chamber, but
did no further hurt than to make a hole in thereof
and plaiflering. It is to be obferved, that the fiones
from the fpire were fcattered in all diredions, as well
againfl the wind as with it, fome of which, but
not very large, were found but a little fhort of a
quarter of a mile. The fpire from the top fix feet
downwards was folid, through which paffed an iron
fpill to fix the weather-cock on. Did not the light-
ning firfl flrike on this fpill, and was conducted
VoL. LXI, L through

[ 74 ]

through the folid part of the fpire, and, having not
iron to condudt it any further, burft in the hollow
part of the fpire, and threw the ftones about in all
directions ? It is remarkable that the fpill was found
in the bell-chamber, and the weather-cock in the
battlements j and that the bells were not in the lead
damaged, though a deal board, that lay acrofs the
beams to which the bells were hung, was fplit long
ways in two pieces. The infide of the church dill
prefented a much more horrible fpeCtacle j the roof
of the church was almoft all gone, and fome of the
timber work in the north ifle fliattered to pieces ; every
feat in the church had rubbifli in it, fome more fome
lefs, and Hones of large fize, fome of 150 pounds
weight and upwards, fcattered here and there amidd
the congregation, which damaged the feats, &c. but
did Ro hurt to the people, though they fat in thofe
very feats where the ftones fell. The lightning en-
tered at the three ends of the church at Weft, made
its way through the body of the church*, and went
out through the three ends of the church atEaft ; the
holes where it came in and where it went out are
not large, neither are the walls much damaged. The
belfry window was (battered to pieces, not one whole
pane I believe to be found in it j many other win-
dows alfo differed greatly, the glafs and munnions
being much fhattered. ,.The lightning entered alfo
through two places in the roof, one near the fing-
ing loft, and ftruck upon the top of a pillar juft
by it j the traces of it are to be feen from the top of
the pillar almoft to the bottom : there were then
fitting by this pillar two young men, one in the fing-
ing loft, and other under him in the church, who

were

[ 75 ]

were both lightly fcorched ; he in the loft from head
to foot, and the other in the face only : but it is re-
markable that his hat, which hung on a nail juft
above him, was cut in two pieces. In the other place,
the lightning entered juft over the defk and pulpit,
and fell in like manner on a pillar that ftands in the
vicarage feat j but here it was a great deal more
violent, and, as the object of its fury was my lifter, I
hope you will excufe my being very particular. Upon
this pillar refted a large oak foil, the bottom of which
was burft into fix pieces, and one of the pieces, be-
ing a very large one, was thrown from its place to
the diftance of about 20 feet, and appeared to be
burnt, the other pieces did not fall. From thence
the lightning came down the pillar with great force,
tore the feat into many pieces, knocked down my
fifter, and made its way through the bottom of the
feat into the earth. She had pattens on, and the
wooden part of one of them was broke into three
pieces j the holes, through which the ribbon is put .
to tie them together, were quite burnt out, and the
ribbon found in the feat without the leaft damage,
or fo much as the knot loofened j her Ihoe was
burnt, and rent from the toe to the buckle j but the
buckle, which was of filver, remained unhurt j her
flocking was burnt and rent in the foot, juft in the
fame manner as her Ihoe, and fcorched along to the
garter, and two little holes were burnt through in the
leg of it: her apron, petticoats, &c. were burnt through
and through, and Ihe had feveral flight burns on fe-
veral parts of her body, befides two bruifes on her
head and breaft, caufed by the rubbilh that fell into
the feat. As Ihe was carrying out of church, flie

L 2 greatly

[ ?6 ]

greatly complained of a deadnefs in her legs, which,
as Ihe could not move them at all, I fuppofed were
broke j however, they were not broke, only a little
burnt, and turned as black as ink ; which, by timely
care, not only came to their natural colour by Tuefday
noon, but could fupport her alfo to come down
flairs ; and, excepting a hurry of fpirits, grew quite
well that week.

Not more than ten perfons out of the whole con-
gregation were hurt, and none of them to any great
degree j one young fellow, who was more frightened
than hurt, remained ill a long time, but I believe
he is now quite well ; the lightning touched his
watch in his pocket, the marks of which may be
feen on the crydal and filver part of it to this day.
Nobody remembers to have heard any more thunder,
or feen any more lightning after this, though the
weather continued very ftormy all that day ; fo that
this thunder ftorm, from beginning to end, could
. lafl but a very fhort time. The damage we fuffer
by it (which is now repairing), will amount to about
450 1.

Thus, Sir, I have given you a particular accouPit
of this dreadful accklent, by which a great number
of people, had it not been for the favourable, I may
fay, miraculous interpohtion of Providence, mufl in-
evitably have perilled. It mufl really excite our
wonder to confider that not only not one life was loft,
but that no perfon was hurt to fuch a degree as to.
confine him for more than two or three days,

I remember to have feen an obfervation of yours r
“ How deplorable would be the confequences of fuch
“ blafts of lightning, if they happened where are

large

1

[ 77 ]

“ large congregations in time of divine fervice!” Here
you fee, Sir, they have happened under the very cir-
cumftances in which you then thought they muil
prove fatal. But Providence has let us know, in this
remarkable cafe, that, let the danger be ever fo great,
and feemingly to us unavoidable, yet he is willing^
as well as able, to fave us.

I am, dear Sir,

Your moft obedient,

humble fervant,

Antb. Williams.

X» Letter

[ 78 ]

X, Explication of an inedit ed Coin^ with two
Legends^ in different Languages^ on the
Reverfe. In a Letter to Mathew Maty,
M. Z). Sec, R. S, from the Rev, John
Swinton, B, D, F. R, S. Cujlos Archive-
rum of the Univerfity of Oxford, Mem-
ber of the Academy degli Apatifti at
Florence, and of the Etrufcan Academy
of Cortona in Tufcany.

Good Sir,

Read Feb. 7, ^ | ^ H E Coin I fliall here attempt to

explain on one fide (See Tab. III.
n. I.) prefents to our view the head of Jupiter,
and on the other the prow of a fliip, which in-
dicates the place wherein it was flruck to have
been a maritime town. Above the prow of the
fhip, we fee two characters, that are either Punic
(i)or Phoenician. I fay, either Punic or Phoeni-
cian, becaufe it may not perhaps be fo eafy to de-
termine whether that town was occupied by the

(i) From the prefent ftate of the Kabyles we may infer,
that the ancient Africans, or Indigenae, their progenitors, muft
have been a-very rude uncivilized people, at the firft arrival of
the Carthaginians amongft them. It is therefore utterly impro-
bable, that they ever ufed any alphabetical chara£l:ers, before the
Phcenician letters were introduced into their country by the
Carthaginians ; or that any other characters, peculiar to them-
felves, and different from the Punic, ever afterwards prevailed
amongft them. I cannot therefore but think, that thofe learned
men who fuppofe the reality of fuch characters are egregioufly
miftaken, as they can have nothing to advance in fupport of fuch
an opinion. Shaw, Travels^ (Sc. p, 288, 289, Oxford, 1738.
Peller. Suppl, quatr, (S dcrn, p. 55. A Paris, 1767.

Cartha-

C 79 3

Carthaginians, or the Phcenicians, and the Romansj
when the piece firft appeared, Befides the two above-
mentioned charad:ers, there is a monogram, formed of
the three Latin letters V, A, B, very indifferently pre-
ferved, in the exergue, with which the Punic or Phoe-
nician elements perfectly correfpond. Forthefecond of
thofe elements is manifeftly the moft common Punic or
Phoenician form of Beth, and I have many years
fince proved the firft (2) to be a form of the Phoeni-
cian and Samaritan Vau-, and (3) obferved, that
though it fometimes anfwers to V confonant, it is like-
wife not feldom taken for Beth, or B. Nor is this to be
wondered at, as thofe two letters fo nearly in power
approach one another. The middle element of the
monogram. A, has nothing equivalent to it in the
Punic or Phoenician infcription j that vowel, in
conformity to the genius of the oriental orthogra-
phy, between the two confonants, being there
fupprcffed. But the two Punic or Phoenician cha-
radfers, and the Latin monogram, clearly enough
demonflrate the name of the town where the piece
was flruck. The monogram feems to be preceded
by a fort of date in the exergue,, which refembles the
charadters l£XI, but, as thefe charadlers are ill pre-
ferved and indiftindl, I believe the powers of them
will not be fo eafily afcertained.

From what has been here laid down, the learned
will eafily admit the medal in queftion to have been
ffruck at Vabar, a maritime city of Mauritania
Caefarienfis, after that place had been ceded to the
Romans, and was inhabited by them, and either the
Carthaginians or the Phcenicians. Vabars i mention-

(2) De Num. quibufd. Sam. et Phcen. Dijferi. ?• 73> 74-
Oxon.‘ 1750. (3) Ibid. p. 74. '

7 ed

[ 8o]

ed by (4) Ptolemy, but in his days feems to have
been a place of no confiderable note. It, however,
probably made a greater figure, when inhabited
either by the Carthaginians, or the Phoenicians, and the
Romans j for that it was occupied by two at leaf! of
thofe nations, when the medal before me firfl ap-
peared, the legends on the reverfe, though fomewhat
imperfedt, render fufficiently clear. That the Car-
thaginians were pofiefied of this city in ancient times,
is coiifonant to the faith of hi dory ; fince they were
niafters of all that part of Africa extending from the
pillars of Hercules, or (freights of Gibraltar, to the
greater Syrtis, for a confiderable period of time, as we,
learn from (5) Polybius. And that the Phoenicians
were mafters of it in early times, is equally probable.
For that they occupied the fea-coa(f of IVlauritania,
from at lead the generation immediately preceding
Homer to the time it fell into the hands of the
Romans, we are informed by Strabo (6). It cannot
therefore be eafily determined, as already obferved,
whether the piece in quelfion was ft ruck by the
Phoenicians or the Carthaginians. It muft, however,
be attributed to die town of Vabar, when inhabited
by either the Carthaginians or the Phoenicians, not
improbably the latter, and the Romans ; the two
legends on the reverfe, as well as the perfedf agree-
ment between them, rendering this inconteftably clear.

That the piece I am confidering was either of a
Punic or an Africo-Phoenician origin, may be deemed
probable from hence, that it exhibits a Latin legend

(4) Ptol. Geogu Lib. IV. c. ii.

(5) Polyb. Megalopolit. HiJioriar.JJih. iii, p. 266, 267. Am-
ftelodami, 1670*

(6) Strab.G<’e^r.Lib,iii.p.i5p, i5i.Lutetiffi Parifiorum,

on

[ .]

on the feverfe, as do Teveral other Punic or Africo-
Phoenician coins. This appears from fome of the
medals of the elder Juba, one of Achola, and another
of Leptis, now in my fmall colle^lion ; to omit other
fimilar iniftances, that might, with great facility, be
produced : whereas, unlefs I am greatly deceived,
none of the Afiatico-Phoenician coins have ever yet
prefented to our.view any Latin charaders. This is
an additional proof in fupport of what has been here
advanced i and feems farther to ovince, that my medal
muft be affigned to the town of Vabar, and was
flruck there, when that place was occupied by either
.the Carthaginians or, the African Phoenicians, and the
Romans j though the time of that operation cannot,
with any tolerable precifion, be afeertained.

I fliall only beg leave to add, that though Vabar
was a place of no great note in the days of Ptolemy,
it feems to have been a town of fome confideration
in the earlier times, as (7) Dr. Shaw faw fome
ancient ruins on the fpot where it formerly flood j
that a coin of this ancient city has never yet, I believe,
been communicated to the learned world j that the
medal before me, which at prefent has a place in my
fmall cabinet, is one of thofe very few Punic or
Phoenician. coins that are adorned with a Latin legend,

* and confequently merits the particular attention both
of the curious and the learned; and that I am,
with the higheft regard,

SIR, Your much obliged

and mofl obedient humble fervant,

Chrift'Church, Oxon.

Sept. 28, 1770.

(7) Shaw, ubi fup. p. 89. Oxford, 1738.

VoL. LXL M XI. Remarks

John Swinton*

f 82 J

XL Remarks upon^ Two Ltm{c2iViTFeightSy
or Coins ^ never before publijhed, Irt
a Letter to Mathew Maty, M, D,
Sec, R, S, from the'. Rev, John Swin^
toDy R. Li R. R, S, Cufos ^rchivorum
of the Univerfty of Oxford, Mhnber of
the j4cademy degli Apatifti at Florence^
and of the Etrufean Academy of Cortona
in Tufcany.

Good Sik,

L

•Jlead Feb. 7
J771.

The firft piece to beconlidered here is
sn Etrufean as, (See Tab. HI. n.2.^
or weight, exhibiting on one fide the head of Janus,
covered with a cap; and on the reverfe a club, attended
by the mark of the As, and the legend I <0 fl j 3 3
m Etrufean charaflers. Between the ^ r^-es of
Janus, the head ol a bufolo, or wild ox, prelents
itfelf to our view, as does alfo a fort of concha
marina, or fea-rtietl,' foihewhat refembling one on a’
didrachm ot Tarentum, in my finall cabinet, and

if'’ '7- “‘"s. contiguous to the cap ;

teth of which have, not a little; fuft'ered from the
injuries of time. The letters on the reverfe

are

iDorp

[ 83 ]

'fnore rude and barbarous than thofe of any fimilar
Etrufcan coins hitherto publidied, Vv'hich is an incon-
teftable proof of the exceeding high antiquity of this
piece. The forms of feveral of them are likewife fome-
what different from thofeofthe correfpondent elements
on all the other fimilar Etrufcan weights, hitherto com-
municated to the learned world. The concha marina,
and perhaps the bufolo’s head, is a Angularity that
will announce the weight before me an inedited
coin. The piece weighs precifely five ounces, and
twelve grains; and is, in all refpedts, except what re-
lates to the concha and bufolo’s head, tolerably well
preferved.

The firft riches of mankind were their flocks and
their herds, and particularly their (i) oxen. Hence
the firfl: money in Italy, from pecus, was (2) called
pecunia, and the mofl; ancient brafs coins had the
figure of an ox (3 ) impreffed upon them. Hence
alfo the Greeks, in the days of Homer (4), eflimated
the value of their properties according to the number
of oxen they were equivalent to, as we learn from
that celebrated poet. For he informs us, that
Glaucus’s golden armour was worth an hundred
pxen, whereas that of Diomedes, for which it was

fi) Erafm. Frolich. Notit. Elementar. Numifrn. Antiqmr. ^c,’
p. 2. Viennae, Pragae, & Tergefti, 1758.

(2) Plin. Nat. Hijf. Lib. xviii. p. 98. 1. 6, 7. & Lib.
xxxiii. p. 610. 1. 6,7. Ed. Hard. Parifiis,-i723. Fiol. ubi fup. et
alib. Una lettera del Annib. degli Abati Olivieri al Sig. Abate

. Barthelemy^ (3’c. p. 28, 29. In Pefaro, 1757. Ezech. Spanhem.
De Uf, et Prajlant. Num’fmat. Antiquor. Diflert. prim. p. 23.
Londini, 1706.

(3) lidem ibid.

(4} Horn. II. z. 235, 236, 237. Vid, etiam Euftath. in loc.

M 2 exchanged,

[ 84 ]

exchanged, did not exceed the value of nine of thofe'.
animals. The figure of the ox on the moll ancient
money Teems to have been Toon converted in Etruria -
into the Tymbol of the head of that beall connedled
with the head of Janus, who is (5) faid to have firfl
introduced the ufe of money into Italy. The head*
of the bufolo, or wild ox, may, as I conceive, have
appeared on Tome of the mod ancient coins of Tuf-
cany, and particularly the piece I am at prefen t con-
fidcring, becaufe the bufolo was formerly, and is dill,,
a native of that country. When I redded there,
above thirty years dnce, the w'oods between Leghorn^
and Pifa abounded with them. They were then
likewife faid to have been very numerous in other
parts of Tufcany, and La Romagna and feveral of
them, at different times, both tamed and wild, I’
myfelf have there fecn The reafon here mentioned
Teems to extend to other remains of antiquity of the
Etrufcans beddes their coins, on which the head of
the bufolo appears, as the (6) authors here referred
to have rendered fufficiently clear.

From what has been obferved, as well as from the
thicknefs, high relief, and extreme rudenefs of the
workmanffdp, or rather in conjun(dion with thefe, we'
may conclude, that our As is either coeval with fome

(5) Cytberlus Poet, apod Athen. Deiprtofoph^ Lib. xv.

(6) Anton. Francifc. Gor. Muf. Etrufc. Tab. CXXIII.
Rami!ton*s Collet, of Etrufe. Gre^k^ and Rom, Antiqu, Vol. 11.
pi. 63. 1 havea £ne Etrufean Vas Potoiium, (See Tab. III. n.3.)
ending in a bufolo’s head ; which, as I apprehend, fosmcrly be-
longed to Caidinat Giiahieri ; as alfa another, terminating in
(See Tab. III. n. 4.) the head of a gray-hound, fimilar to one
publilhed by Mr. Hamilton, which had likewife a place alBgned
it in the Cardinal’s coilcdlion of Etrufean antiquities. I bought
Voth of them of Sig. Barazzi, at Rome, in 1733. Han>ilton's

Etruf^Greeij amlRom. AutiqwtxVo], 1, pi. 49.

. f ^5 ]

of the earHefl pieces, or weights, ever ufed in Italy,
or but little poherior to them. Father Gori (7) Teems
to be of the fame fentiments with me, in this parti-
cular; and neither Sig. (8) Olivieri, nor any other
writer, has invalidated, or difproved, what has been
advanced on this head, by that celebrated author.

That the weight here confidered is to be affigned to
a maritime town, the concha marina, or fea-fhell, Irre-
fragably proves. I Thould therefore, with the very learn-
ed Sig. Olivieri, rather attribute it to Volterra, than to
Velitr£e(9), at prefent called Velletri, as Father Gori
(10) Teems to have done. For Velitras was a town of
Latium, and much leTs confiderable than the city of
Volterra; which (ij) was the moil: ancient city of Etru-
ria,the Teat of a lucumo, and one of the moTt conlider-
able places in T uTcany. It was alTo a maritime city ( 1 2),

(7) Anton. Francifc, Gof. MuJ, Etrufc. Vol. II. p. 419,.''
«t alib. Florentine, vi 737.

■ (8) Sig. Oliver, Una Letera, In Pefaro, i757."

(g) Annib. degli Abati Olivieri, in Efame della Controverfia'
htteraria^ fopra il Miijeo Etrufcoy /lampaia- negli Opufcoli Jdentificiy
Tom. XXI. et ubi fup. p. 43. , The old Etrufcan word
VELATRI, FELATRI, or FELATERI, feems^tohave beer»
tolerably well preferved in the name of Monte Veltrajo, or
Fcltraio, a mountain in the territory of Volterra, and about cv.'o
miles from that city. This, as I apprehend, may be conftdered
as an additional argument in fupport of Sig. Olivieri’s and.
Monfignore Mario Guarnacci’s opinion. Noti-zie Iftorich. della
iltta d'l Volterra^ oper. del Sig: Lorenz. Aul. Cecin. dal Cava/,
Fjamin. Dal Borgo, p. 44.J 49.^ In Pifa, 1798. Monfig. Mar.
Guarnacci, in Origin, Italich, In Lucca, 1767.

(10) Anton. Francifc. Gor. Muf, Etrujc. Vol. II. p. 427. -

(11) Chrift pb. Cellar. Geogr. 4nt. Lib. II. c. ix. fedt. 2.
p, 573, 574. Llpl'iae, 1731. Vid. etiam Tho. Dempft. De Eiriir,
Regal, et Anton. P'ranaic. Gbr. Muf. Etrufc, palT, .

(tg) Strab. Lib. V, p. 223. Lutetiae Paniiorum, i620»

as

[ 86 }

as we learn from Strabo, being feated not far from
the Vada Volaterrana, near the place w’ere the river'
Cascina threw itfelf into the Tyrrhenian fea. I would
therefore read the legend, on the reverfe of this coin,

■ FELATHERI, FELATERI, or FELATERRI ;
the fifth letter being (13) lometimes endued with the
power of T'heta^ and lometimes with that of 'Tau ; and"
a duplication of confonants, in writing, having been
unknown to the mofi: ancient Etrufeans. That the
vowel E, between the fifth and lixth elements of the
Tufean legend, on the reverfe hereon, fliould be fup-
prefied, or omitted, w'ill not be any matter of furprize to
thofe who are apprized, that fuch a fuppreflion, or o-
midion, fo confonant to the genius of theHebrew and
Phoenician orthography, from which that of the moft
(14) ancient Etrufeans could not have greatly differ-
ed, in old Tufean words, does not feldom (15)
occur. Of this MENLE, HERCLE, MELACRE,
PHVLNICE, MENREA, which were read ME-
NELE, or MENELAE, HERCVLE, MELE-'
ACRE, PHVLVNICE, MENEREA, or MENER-
FA (i6), are convincing proofs; to omit many
other fimilar inftances, that might, with great facility,
be produced. But this is fo fettled a point, that it

(13) Anton. Francife. Gor, Muf. Etrufe. Vol. II. p. 408,

409-

( 14) Svvint. De Lingua Etrur. Regal. Vernac. Dijfcrtat. Oxon.

1738.

(15) Phil, Bonarot. Tho. Dempft. et Anton. Francife. Gor.
ul i fup. pair. Vid. etiam Joan. Bapt. PalTer, Pilaurenf. Hellenifm,
Eirufeor, in Symbol. Litteran. i^c. Vol. II. p. 33 — 73. Florentise,
1748, Sc Carlo Antonioli in Antic, Gem, Etrujc, fpiegat.
illujlrat. lAc. p. 70 — 78. In Pi fa, 1757.

(16) Ildem ibid.

4

will

f 87 ]

will not be conteiled in any part of' the learned,
world.

ii:.

The fecond piece, or weight, of ‘which I propofe to ’
give an account in- this paper, is a ftips uncialisj (See
Tab. JII, n. 5.) as appears both from the weight and
fize of it, of the earlielt date. I received it, as a prefent, >
from my worthy friend James Gilpin,. Efq; late re-
corder of the city of Oxford, with feveral other ancient
brafs coins. On one fide it has preferved the head, or
rather a full face, . of the ^ fon ; the workmanfhip •
of which is more rude and barbarous than that of any
other fimilar piece- that ever fell under my view, and
done pefeCtly in the mofl ancient Etrufcan tafce.
The reverfe had originally on it the prow of a .fhip,
which has been fo totally effaced- by the injuries of
time, that only a very few exceeding faint traces of
if'are now to be feen. The relief on the face -fide
iS'-very high, as was undoubtedly at fiffl'that on the-
other; but the. reverfe being in a manner* quite
I'moothed, nothing there remains but the veftiges of
the prow of a fifip, that are barely vifible. How-
ever, juff over the prow, we may difcover- clearly
enough the legend in Etrufcan charac- '

ters, though but very inditferentiy preferved. That -

* We meet with a- full face of the fun pretty much refembling'
this on a lienarius of the Plau.ian family, but done in a much
more elegant talfe ; which demonftrates it to be valfly inferior,
in point of antiquity, to t le piece I am now offering my
thoughts upon. Sig. Havercamp. Thi'faur, Morel. Tom. II,
p, 329, Amiidaedami, 1734.

word-

[ 88 ]

word is apparently equivalent to ROMA, and con-
fequently the piece itfelf muft be deemed an uncia,
or Rips uncialis, of Rome, though the globule, or
> uncial mark, has not efcaped the ravages of time.

That the piece in queftion is an uncia of Rome,
^appears not only from the legend on the reverfe, as
juft obferved, but likewife from another uncia of
Rome, with the full face of the fun upon it, as
here, though done in the more modern Roman
^afte, now in my fmall colledion. That uncia is
likewife, I doubt not, in feveral (17} other colledti-
onsi being, as I apprehend, a pretty common coin.
The fame conclulion is likewife deducible from
another Roman uncia, with the word ROMA, juft
above (See Tab. III. n. 6.) the prow of the Ihip, on
the reverfe, in the very fame fituation as the Etrul-
can legend on the weight before me, in my little
• cabinet. We may therefore fafely enough pronounce
the coin here'deferibed a ftips uncialis of Rome, of
-a very remote antiquity, with the Etrufean name of
..that capital of the world on the reverfe.

The Etrufean letters were, undoubtedly, the firft
alphabetic charaefters of Italy. Nay, they prevailed
at Rome, and in every part of Italy, till after the
regifuge. This I have fully proved in a Latin (18)

(17) Scipionis MafFeii Origin. Etrufe. & Latin, p. 6i. Tab.

' II. Old. II. n. ii. Lipfiae, 1731. •Annib. degli Abati Olivieri in

‘Indice Delle Antichijf. Monete di Bronzo Rotnane lA Italich. ubi
-•fup. p. 53. In Pefaro, 1757. See Have rc, in Rom. Tab. III. n. 4.

(18) De Prifeis Romanorum Literis Dijfertat. Oxon. 1746.

, Many curious particulars are deducible from the point here in-
filled upon. To omit others that occur, from hence it plainly
follows, that tliofe infcriptions on the Eugubian tables confifting
of Latin letters, or the more mpdern charadlers of Italy, /are

. * diftertatlon,

[ §9 ]

diflertatlon, printed at Oxford, in 1746. The piece
at prefent engaging my attention is an additional, or
rather an apodidtical, proof of the truth of what was
there advanced. It demonftrates the Etrufean letters
to have been ufed at Rome, in very early times j and
confequently evinces, in the ftrongeft manner^ the
principal point infilled upon in that dillertation.

The time when the medal I have been confider-
ing firft appeared, for want of proper chronological
charadters, and fufiicient light from hiftory, cannot,
with any precifion,be afeertained. But, from a per-
ufalof the Imall performance (19) above-mentioned,
and what has been offered here, we fhall, I believe,
be induced to conclude, that it is at lead coeval with
the regifuge, which happened in the year of Rome
245 ; or rather, as I fhould apprehend, that it may be
a confiderable number of years anterior to that event.

The two brafs coins above deferibed being ex*^
tremely curious, efpecially the fecond of them, an
Etrufean coin of Rome having never been heard of
before; and many curious points being deducible

more recent than the regifuge. Nay, in the dilTertation here
referred to, they have been demonftrateJ inferior, in point of an-
tiquity, to the Dailian infeription ; and confequently Father
Gori muft be egregioudy mittaken, when he makes aj.l the in-
feriptions on thofe cables fome generations older than the*Trojan
war. See the Unlvcrfal Hi/iory^ Vol. XVI. p. 48. Lond. 1748.

It may not be improper to remark here, that the Etrufeans
had not the letter O in their alphabet, but conltantly made ufe
of V for that element. Flence it came to pafs, that the Etrufean
name of Rome was not Roma, but Ruma, as it appears on my
very ancient coin. Philofoph, TranfaSi, Vol. LVIII. p. 256.

De Pri/c. Romartor. Lit, Dijfertat. p. 6, 7, 8, g, lO.
Oxdn. 1746.

Vol. LXr.

N

from

[ 90 ]

from that coin, which I have not time at prefent even
to touch upon ; I was willing to flatter myfelf, that
, the fliort account of them, in this paper, would not
be unacceptable to the Royal Society, I have there-
fore taken the liberty to tranfmit it to you, in order
to its being laid before that very learned and mofl:
illuftrious body ; and am, with great truth,^

Good Siry

Your much obliged,
and moft obedient, humble fervant.

Cbrift- Church, Oxon,
3ept. 29, 1770.

John Svvinton,

XII, InUrprz*

C 9* ]

XII. Interpretation ofl*wo Punic Infcriptions^
on the Reverfes of two Siculo-Punic CoinSy
publifhed by the Prince di Torremuzza,
and never hitherto explained. In a Letter
to M. Maty, M, D, Sec, R, S,from the
Rev, John Swinton, B. D, F, R, S. Cujlos
Archivorum of the Univerfity of Oxford,
Member of the Academy degli Apatifti at /
Florence, and of the Etrufcan Academy
of Cortona in Tufcany,

Dear Sir,

Read April II, rnp^ H E two Punic legends, of which
1771* Jl^ I am now to attempt an interpre-
tation, have been publifhed, together with five others,
by the Prince (1) di Torremuzza, in his volume of
ancient inferiptions, printed at Palermo, in 1769.
As the coins, on which they have been preferved,
feem extremely curious, and' are unnoticed by any
other author ; the Royal Society will indulge me the
liberty of tranfinitting them my fentiments of thofe
very valuable remains of antiquity, in this paper,
drawn up in the fhorteft and mofl: concife manner
poffible.

( 1 ) Sictl. et oljacent. infular. veter. infeript, nov. coIleSi, dff c.
tlair. XX. p. 292, 293. Panormi, 1769.

N 2 The

C 92 ]

I.

The firftof thefe minute infcrlptlons, (See Tab. Ill,
n. 7.) which is the firft of thofe published (2) by the
Prince di Torremuzza, in the place here referred to,
adorns a fine Punic tetradrachm,as it fhould feem,,weli
enough preferved ; which on one fide prefents to our
view the head of a woman, and three fifiiesj but, on
the reverfe, the head of an horfe, behind which fiands a
palm tree, attended by an infcription, in the exergue,
formed of feven Punic letters. The workmanlhip,
as well as the types, is probably fimiiar to that of the
filver medals of Menas, by me deicribed and ex-
plained, in (3) one of my former papers.

The firft of the letters, of which this infcription is
compofed, will be allowed an Ain of the ufual Punic
form. This may be collected from the (4) coins of
Menae, juft mentioned, as well as others, that might
eafily be produced. The fecond feems to ht Nun»
But it has been inaccurately taken, and is in reality
Mfm. This is likewife clearly evinced by the
(5) legends on the reverfes of other fimiiar Siculo-
Punic coins. The third is undoubtedly the Punic

(2) Ibid. p. 292.

(3) Philofo-ph. "TranfdSl. Vol. LIY. Tab. xi. n. i, p. 99, 404,

(4) Phitofopb. 'Triinfail. ubi (up,

(5) Philofoph. Tranfaf.U ubi hip. D. Bernard. Aldret. Var.
Antiguedad. de Efpan. i^c. p. 177—180. D. Vincen. Juan de
I.altanol, Afuf. de las Alednl. dtjeonoetd, Efpan ol, f ab. 45, Eii
H icfca, 1645- keJler. Recueil de Adedaill &c. I'orn. Trois. p,

pb 88. 1!. 5. A Paris, 1 763. A'Icmoir. de Litterat. de PJeetdem,
ties injeript. iff Pell. Letir. isc. Tom. Ticnuem. p, 417. pi. ii.

8, 9» 10, X2. A Parisj 1764.

cr

TAB.ni.71.2,

TAU.m.iu?.

['93 ]

orPoenician Samech (6), nearly as it appears In the fa-
mous Maltefe infcription, and not unlike the form of
that element exhibited by oneof thofe found at Citium,
now in the Bodleian Library, Oxon. The fourth
and hxth are fo (7) like the Punic and Phoenician
Ghimel that they cannot well pafs for any other ele->-
ment. The fifth is manifefUy Hheth (8), though it
fee ms to have fomewhat fuffered from the injuries'of
time. The feventh (9) greatly refembles the -mod:
common figure of .and therefore we cannot be

much miftaken if we take it for that letter^.. The
powers of the Punic charadfers forming the in-
icription ffanding thus, we may, I conceive, ^ read the
whole AM SEGHEGT, or SEGEGTH, which is
but a fmall variation from the word SEGESTE, or
SEGESTA, the Greek and Latin name (i o) of a con-
liderable maritime city of -Sicily, not far from Eryx,
where money was coined, after the Greeks (t i) had
pofTeffed thcmfelves of the place. The medal there-
fore adorned with this minute Punic., infeription may,
without any impropriety, be fuppofed to have been
emitted from the mint at Segefta, as the Punic words,
AM SEGHEGT, or SEGEGTH, POPVLVS
SEGESTANVS, appear upon it, when the Cartha-

(6) Fhilcfoph. Tranfa^, ubi fup. VoJ. LIV. Tab. xxii. p.
294* Memoir, de Litterot, ubi fup.

(7) Phibjoph. Tranfadi. ubi fup. I'ab. xxiv. p. 408, '4C9.

(8) . Philofoph. TrcinjaSi, ubi fup. p. 404. & Tab. xxiv.

{9) Philojoph, Tranjadl, Vo!. LIV, Tab. xi. p. qg. & Tab.
xxiv. p 404.

(10) Chrift. Cellar. Notit. Orb. Aniiq^u. Lib. II. c, xii. p,
397, 398.

ril. Parut. La Sul/, 'Num, in Nuir.di Segeft,

ginians

[94]

ginians were mafters of that city, and occupied all
the adjacent territory appertaining to it.

That the Carthaginians were adtually pofleffed, for
a certain period, of that part of Sicily where Eryx
and Segefla had their fituation, does not only appear
(12) from antient hiftory, Ixit likewife from a long
Punic infcription, found at the former of thofe places.
This infcription has been (i^) publifhed by the
Prince di Torremuz-za, who extracted It from Sig.
Antonio Cordici’s manufeript hiftory of Eryx, with
a copy of which he was fupplied by Sig. Dominico
Schiavo, in the very valuable and learned work men-
tioned in the beginning of this paper.

That fuch rough and uncouth words as SEG-
HEGT, or SEGEGTH, with vowels fcarce fuffici-
ent to form, or facilitate, the pronunciation, were not
unknown to the Carthaginians, we may infer from
the words SBAQirNI, ENGKARA, ESCQVAR,
EIEGKV,GHEKQ, IGHASESC, and many others
that occur in the remains of the ancient Punic tongue,
which (14) at prefent exift in the vernacular lan-
guage of the Maltefe.

From -what has been here advanced, it is incon-
teflably clear, that SEGESTE, or SEGESTA, is a
word of a Punic origin j which, indeed, has been
obferved by the famous Bochart. That learned au-

(12) Polyb. Diod. Sic. Liv. Orof. ,&c. JJniv. HiJ}., Vol. vi.
p. 829. et alib. Lond. 1742.

(13) Sicil. et objacent. infular veter, infeript. nov. colU:^. i^c.
clail. XX. p. 296, 297. Panormi, 1769.

(14) Canonico Gio-Pieiro Franceico Agius dc Soldaiiis, in
Dworwr, Punico-Ma'ief, pad'. In Roma, 1750.

4 thor

[ 95 ]

tKor has (15) fufficiently exploded the fabulous ac-
count of Acefta, the pretended founder of Segeha,
given us by fome of the ancient writers; though,
for want of the afliftance of the Punic coin before
me, he could not hit upon the true name the city
now in view, at lead: when the medal I am con-
ddering firft appeared, went under amongft the
Carthaginians.

As no chronological characters occur on the piece
conlidcred here, the time when it was {truck can-
not, with any precifion, be afcertained. That ope-
ration muit, however, have preceded the conclulion
of the fird; Punic war; fince the Carthaginians, by the
treaty of peace which terminated that war, ceded
the (16) whole of their poiTefTions in 'the idand of
Sicily to the Romans. Nay, the medal I ■ am en-
deavouring to throw fome light upon was probably
prior, perhaps many years, to the furrender of
Segefta(i7) to the Romans, in the beginning of the
drift Punic war, when the inhabitants of’Segefta put
the African garrifon there to the fword, about 258
years before the birth of Christ; the Carthagi-
nians feeming never to have been poiTeffed of this
ancient city, after that tragical event.-

(15) Sam. Bochart. lib. I. g. 27. p. 563, 564. : Fran-
cofurti ad Moenum, i68u

(16) Polyb. Liv. Orof. Zonar. &c. Univ, Hijl. Vol. vi.
Lend. 1742.

(17) Polyb. Diod. Sic. Livi Orof, I/wiv. Hij}, Vol. vi,
S29, Lend, 1742.

II. The

[ 9^ J

H.

Thefecorid of the two abovementioned (See Tar.
TIL n, 8.) inlcriptions, which is the fixth of thofe pub-
HlLed, in the place above refered to, by the Prince di
Torremuzza, is compofed of feven letters. Of thefe
the firft and fecond are undoubtedly Ain and Mem^ as
we may certainly infer from a fimilar infeription, on
the reverfes of other Punic coins, that have been (i8)
heretofore explained. The third muft be as it
fo (19) much refembles a form of the Greek Epfilon ;
the antient figures of the fifth element in the Greek,
Phoenician, and Samaritan alphabets having (20)
been originally the fame. The fenfe of the inferip-
• tion feems likewife abfolutely to require this. The
fourth letter is apparently ilfew(2i), as will be al-
lowed by every one in the lead acquainted with the
ancient Siculo-Punic, and Siculo- Phoenician, cha-
; rasters. The fifth is Hhetb^ or Heth, as we may
(Collect from (22) other medals, fimilar to that on

(18) Phllofoph. Tranfa^. Memoir, de Litterat. de V Acad, da
Anfeript. & Bell. Lett. (Ac. D. Bern. Aldret. E. Vincen. Juan
de Laftanos, Feller, ubi fup.

(19) Sig. Haverc. de Lit. Grac. Dijfert. p. 248, 249 V'^id.
.Syllog. Scriptor. qui de ling. Greec. redl. pronuntiat, (Ac. Lugduni

Batavorum, 1736.

(20) Vid. Hadr. Reland. D. Bern, de Montfauc. Don Luis
Jol'eph Velazquez, Chifli. aliofque Scriptor. quam pluiim.

(21) Phllofoph. Tranfa£l. Memoir, de Litterat, de V Acad, des
Infcript. (A Bell. Lettr. (Ac. Aldret. Laftanof. Feller. Sec, ubi
fup.

(22) Philofoph. Tranfadl. Vol. LIV. Tab. xxiv. p. 408, 409.
Tab. xi. n. i. p. 99, 40^.

which

[ 97 ]

Xvhicli this legend has been preferved. Part of this
element, however, has been defaced by the injuries
of time ; which to demonftration appears (23), not
only from coins already publifhed, but iikewife from
others preferved in the cabinets of the great and the
curious, to which eafy accefs may be had* The
fixth muft be Nu?i^ as we may conclude from all the
abovementioned (24) coins. The draught of it, how-
ever, given us by the Prince di Torremuzza, feems
fomewhat to refemble- one of the forms of Mem^ and
therefore it was probably not taken with the ut-
moft accuracy j the Prince, perhaps, not being fo
thoroughly converfant with the various figures of the
Siculo-Punic, and Siculo-Phoenician, letters, and
learned men but little acquainted with thofe figures
pretty frequently miftaking one fimilar letter for
another. This charader Iikewife is apparently different
from the form of Mem, in the fame infcription, and
feems not a little to refemble the ufual form of Nu/i ;
as will appear to every one, examining it with proper
attention. The feventh is T/jau, as will be admitted,
I believe, by every one verfed in this branch (25)
of literature. The infcription, therefore, of which
I am at prefrnt attempting an interpretation, is formed
of the two words niHOn DV, AM HAMMA-
HANOTH, HAMMEHNOTH, or HAMME-
NOTH, POPVLVS MENENIVS, or MENA-

(23) Phllofoph. Tranfad. Vol. LIV. p. 99, 404, & Tab. xi. n,
1. p. 99. Memoir, de Liiterat. &c. ubi iup. PJ. 11. n. 7, 8, 9,
10, 12. p. 417. Aldret. Laftanof. Pelier. &c. ubi fup,

(24) Phi/oj, Tranf. Menu de Litter at. &c. A!drec. Liftanof.
Peller. ibid.

(25) Barthd. Peller. &c.

VoL. LXI.

O

RVM

[ 98 ]

RVM POPVLVS, as we may find rendered incon-
tefiable by otfier (26) fimilar coins.

In Hebrew tlie prefix n is not feldom added to the
(27) beginning of the proper names of provinces,
cities, and towns. So AND VIEW-
ED AI. Jehof. vii. 2. ‘7:1b JlH IV |D> FROM

SHITTIM TO GILGAL. Mich. vi. 5.

AND ALL THE CITIES OF GILE-
AD. Jehof. xiii. 25. To which I could add many
more inftances of the fame mode of expreffion, that
might, with equal facility, be produced. As the
Punic and Phoenician languages therefore (28) a-
greed in mcfi: points with the Hebrew, we may na-
turally fuppofe the Phoenician, or Carthaginian, in-
habitants of Menae to have imprefled the words
n^nisn oy, AM HAMMENOTH, upon their
moft ancient coins.^

The medal, which has conveyed down to us this
infcription, through fuch a feries of ages, is of the
tetradrachmal form, and of a very confiderable anti-
quity. It has a place afiigned it in the (29) very
valuable cabinet of the Prince di Torremuzza,
tliough he has not favoured us with a draught of it.
On one fide it exhibits the head of a woman, god-
defs, or tutelary deity of the place where it was
flruck, with three fillies fporting round it and on

{26) Phil. T'ravf Mem. de Litterat, Aldret. Laftanof,
Peller. ubi fup.

(27) Johan, Buxtorf. Thtfaur. Grammat. Ling, Sau^. llebr,
p. 385. Bafilex,

(28) Sam. Bochart. Chan. lib. II. r. i. Philofoph. Tranjadl,
Vol. LIII. p. 292. 6c Vol. LIV. p. 134.

(29) S/f/7. et objacent. Infular. vctcr. infeript, nov. colledl.

.'laU', .vx, p. 293. Panomii, 1769.

the

[ 99 3

the reverfe a hoiTe’s head, under which appears the
infcription, that is one of the principal obje<fts of
my attention, in this paper. It will be almoif need-
lefs to remark, that the horfe’s head is one of the moft
ufual fymbols on the reverfes of the antient Cartha-
ginian coins.

With regard to the third character here, taken by
me for He^ I would beg leave to remark, that 'it is
the crefcent, or lunated form of the Greek Epjiloni
which was a figure of that element of a pretty high
antiquity, though not the (30) firfi: ufed by the
Greeks. That it w'as as early in Sicily as Julius
Caefar’s days, has been proved from (31) the coins of
Entella, coeval with that emperor. And that it was
known in Italy many years, perhaps feveral genera-
tions, before (32) the finilhing ftroke was given to
the Roman republic, is clearly evinced by a moft
curious minute Greek fepulchral infcription, publifli-
ed by P. D. Gianfrancefco Baldini, of which a par-
ticular account will be found in the very valuable
work referred to here. Nay, in Greece it feems to
have a long time preceded this monument (33), as
may be inferred from two minute infcription s pre-
ferved On two antient Greek ftatues of Speufippus
and Xenocrates, mentioned by a very learned
modern author. It may therefore, with fufficient

(30) Sig. Haverc. De Lit. Grac. Dijfert. p. 248, 249. in Sylloge
Scriptor. qui de ling. Grac, ver, et re£l. pronun. &c. Lugdun.
Batavorum, 1736.

(31) Fil. Parut. La Sicil. num. Tab. cxivi n. 2, 3. Sig. Hav.
ubi fup.

(32) Sag. di Dijprtaz. Accademich. di Gorton, Tom. II. p,
137. in Roma, 1738.

(33) Haverc. ubi Tup. p. 248.

O 2 pro-

[ 100 ]

propriety, be fuppofcd as ancient as at lead: the later
ages of the Carthaginian empire in Sicily, if not
much older. That the moft ancient form of the
Greek Epfilo?! was alfo fometimes impreffed upon the
Punic medals of Mens, is rendered inconteftable by
a moft valuable tetradrachm of that city, publiftied
(34) by M. Pellerin. The firft letter of the legend,
on the reverfe of that tetradrachm., is the Punic yf/;?,
not very accurately taken; and the third is undoubt-
edly the oldeft Phoenician, Samaritan, and Greek
figure of He or Epfiloriy brought by Cadmus out of
Phoenicia, and reprefenting, according (35) to Euri-

(34) Peller. Recueil de Mcdaill. Tom. Troif. p. 22. pi.
S8. n. 8. A Paris, 1763. The city of Mena;, the of

Ptolemy, was built by Deucetius, king of the Siculi, butfubjeit
to the Carthaginians, from the days of Dionyfius the elder, king
of Syracufe, to the time of Timoleon, the Corinthian, according^
to Diodorus Siculus ; in fome part of which interval, the piece
I have been confidering, as well as all others fimilar to it, was
probably ftruck. From Menae’s being a town of the Siculi,
and inhabited by them and the Greeks, M. Barthelemy infers,
that it never was fubjedl to the Carthaginians, and that there-
fore the piece in queilion could not poffibly have made its firft
appearance there. But the former cf thefe afl'ertions is exprefsly
contradi(5lcd by Diodorus Siculus, and therefore the latter of
them muft necefl'arily fall to the ground. Of this the learned
antiquary above-mentioned feems to have been fufficicntly aware,
when he declares, that he docs not give us for dcmonftratiou
what he has advanced on this head. I muft beg leave here far-
ther to remark, that the word cannot well he tranflated

Caftra here, as the proper names of cities are generally, if not
always, pointed out to us, by the legends on the reverfes of fuch
coins. Died. Sic. lib. xi. 0. 78. Vid. etiam lib. xii. xiii»
xiv. See the Univ. Hi/i. Vol. VII. p. 533 I-ond, 1747.

(33) Euripid. et Agath, Tragic, apud Athen. Deipnojoph.
lib. X. c. 20.

pidcp,

C lOI ]

pides, and Agathon, in Athensus, an obliquated
trident. That infcription is formed of the very fame
letters with thofe that conditute the legend I am con-
lidering, and confequently will admit of the fame
interpretation. Nor can this be matter of furprize
to thofe who confider, not only that the firft figure
of the Epjihn was (36) borrowed from the

earlier Phoenicians, but likewife that the later form
of that element, which was alfo fufhciently ancient,
as I have here inconteftably proved, might likewife
have been deduced from a later figure of the Phoe-
nician, or Punic, He^ in a country chiefly occupied
by the Greeks (37), Phoenicians, and Carthaginiansj
for a very confiderable period. And that this was
really the cafe, from the legend on the reverfe of the
coin of which I am now attempting an interpretation,
feems abundantly clear. The Prince di Torremuzza
has likewife (38) rendered the antiquity of this form
of the Phoenician, or Punic, He inconteflable. All
which confiderations being maturely weighed, and
due attention- given to the medals here defcribed j the
power of the third element of the legend, or infcrip-
tion, before me, will appear, I would flatter myfelf,.
to be fufHciently afeertained.

(36) Edm. Cliifliul. Irifcript. Sig. Sig. Haverc. ubi fup.

(37) Elerodot:. 'Ehucyd. Polyb. Diod. Sic. Liv. Strab. Orof.
Zonar. &c.

(38) Prolegom. p. 39, 40. From the Siculo-Punic medals
mentioned in this paper, as well as many others, it feems clearly
to appear, that the. [ refix H vvas never annexed to the u'ord
AM, POPVLVS, on the Siculo-Punic coins, as M. Barchelemy
has been plcafed to affert, but to the proper name of the place
immediately following it. This, if allowed, mufl be decifivc in fa-
vour of what I have formerly advanced, relative to the power of
the charafier taken by that learned antiquary for He^ but by me
for Mem. Philojapb. PrewUiSf. Vol. X.IV. p. 397.

If

[ 102 ]

If what has been juft advanced ftiould be admitted
bv the learned, they will readily allow the oldeft
forms of He on the antient Siculo-Punic coins, to have
greatly refembled, or rather to have been almoft: per-
fectly the fame with, thofe of that letter exhibited by
the earlieft Phoenician, Samaritan, Greek, and Etruf-
can, coins. Nor can any thing be more confonant to
the faith of hiftory than fuch a notion. We cannot
therefore fuppofe He to have refembled any of the
forms of Mem^ or rather to have been represented by
one of thofe forms, as M. Barthelemy (39), without
any juft grounds for his opinion, has adually fuppofed,
,as nothing feems more remote from truth than fuch
a fuppofttion. Antient hiftory, antient coins, and the
,realon of the thing itfelf, notwithftanding his exalted
merit, and the great figure he fo juftly makes in th©
.republic of letters, decide the point in queftion moft
.dearly and evidently againft him.

Nor will it avail him to (40) alTert, that the Greek
coins of Menas differ in feveral refpeCts from thofe
.confidered by me in this paper.; and that the (41)
workmanlhip of the latter is better than that of the
pieces which are the acknowledged productions of that
city. For that the worhmanftiip of feveral of the Punic
and Phoenician coins is highly finilhed and elegant, and
that the tafte and genius of thofe coins differ con-
fiderably from the manner of thofe ftruck by the
Greeks and the Romans, will not admit of a doubt,

(39) Barthel. in Memoir, de Liiterat. l^c. de V Acadcm, des Irt'
fcript. y BelL Lettr. iffe. Tom. XXX. p. 409, 410, 41 1, 417*

(40) Barthel. Lettre a Monf. le Marquis Olivieri^ fJc. p. 28,
29. A Paris, 1766.

(41} Id. ibid. p. 28.

The

[ 103 ]

The former have not their reverfes diveiTified by
fuch a variety of fymbols as have the latter. The
Carthaginians, in particular, feem to have adorned
their medals with very few fymbols, or types j and
thofe fuch as were, for the mod part, common to all
the cities and towns fubje<5l to their republic. As the
legend therefore, on the reverfe of the medaf I
have been endeavouring to explain, is clear and ex-
prefs in favour of my explication, and plainly points
out to us the place where it was druck ; the above-
mentioned (42) objedions, hinted at by M. I’Abb^,
after what has been jud obferved, will fall to the
ground of courfe, and not be allowed, by the bed
and mod competent judges of the point in quedion, to
have the lead tendency-, to invalidate what has been
advanced in favour of my opinion.

Several curious particulars, not hitherto touched
upon, are deducible from the coin, or rather my ex-
plication of the coin, I have been coniidering. But
as I have already exceeded the limits propofed to
inyfelf, when I began this paper, -it is time to con-
clude j which I^fhall beg leave to do, with affuring
you, that 1 am.

Good Sir,

Your much obliged,'

and mod obedient, humble fervant.

Cbrifl-Church, Oxon.
October 2, 1770.

John Swinton,

(42) Lettn a Monf. h Alurqiiii Olhifri, p. 27, 28, 29.

XIII. Extras

[ 104 ]

XIIL ExtraB of two Letters from M.
Meffier, of the Royal Academy of Sciences ^
and F, R. S. to M. de Magalhaens, on a new
.Comet : Iranfated by Dr. Be vis, F. R. S,

Read Jan. 24, and 1^ LEASE, Sir, to inform the Royal
Feb. I, 1771. Society, that I difcovered a new
Comet, the lothof Jan. inftant, 1771, about eight
o’clock in the evening ; it was between the head of
Hydra and the Little Dog, over the parallel of Pro-
cyon. The polition whereof ! determined by com-
paring it with that ftar, and the ftar S in Hydra.
The obfervations are as follow :

h m «

r The loth of Jan. 1771, at 10 16 45 true time,

Obf I Al'cenf. of the Comet 121° 47 16

1. North Dedination 5 2i 15

, r Same night at 21 if 5

< Right Afcenf. of the Comet 120 24 31

' ’ I North Declination 6 4 46

From which obfervations it appears, that in
2' 20" of time its motion in right afcenf. was
i'’ 22' 45" and 43' 3 1" in declination : this comet
was perceived by the bare eye. In the telefcope its
nucleus is bright, of a whitifh complexion, and not
very well defined, furrounded with an atmofphere
feveral minutes wide, with a faint tail 5 or 6 degrees
long. Its apparent motion among the fixt flats con-
trary

[ 105 ]

trary to the order of figns, from the equator towards
the North pole.

This makes the twelfth Comet I have difcovered
and obferved in thirteen years paft.

WITHOUT what I had done the loth of Ja-
nuary for determining the polition, and forming any
tolerable conjecture of the direction of the motion of
the comet, it would have been impoffible for me to
have found it afterwards; for from the loth to the
1 6th the Iky was every night quite clouded, during
which the light of the comet had extremely abated,
and its motion decreafed, infomuch that between the
1 6th and 17th of January the fky clearing, I fought
for it two hours, without finding it ; but though
with little hopes of feeing it, I fought for it in Perfeus
and Andromeda. After a world of ufelefs pains
and look-outs, at length I faw it again, between the
horns of the Bull, of a very feeble light : and it was
necefiTary to be acquainted with the heavens as well
as I was, to find where it was ; nor have any of our
aflronomers, as far as I can yet learn, fucceeded in
their attempts. I obferved it January 10th, 16th,
17th and 20th, on which laft day it was extremely
clofe to the planet Mars, lefs than a minute of time,
both in right afcenfion and declination, and its light
fo languid as to be in a manner extinguifhed by that
of Mars. Without that excellent telefcope which
you procured for M. le Prefident de Saron, I ilaould
not have perceived it with any of my inftruments.
Here follow my obfervations, which may poffibly
turn out the only good ones, and which I intreat
you to lay before the Royal Society.

VoL. LXl. P 1771

[ io6 ]

J771
Jna. 10

16

17

20

True Time,
h > »

8 44 24

10 16 45

10 46 3

12 48 58

•9
16

41 39
27 35
40 34
2
21

^3
7
7
6

6

7

7
S

8

8 56 49
8 56 49
19 24
19 24

37

23

18 30
18 30

9

9

R'.Afcenfiou

O ' //

22 27 46

121 47 16

'21 35 31
120 49 lb
120 24 21

84 3 n

84 1 32

80 41 58
80 40 28

80 37 13

80 35 28
72 52 2

72 52 25

72 47 47

72 48 17
72 47 17

72 47 32

No.Declin,

o / //

5

5

5

6

6

4

21

36

1

37

15

51

Eftimat® pofition to ^ Hydrae.

/ Determined pofition by a of the 7th mag.
L then unknown, as alfo by ^ Hydrae.

By ^ Hydrae.

47‘By the fame if- of Hydrae, repeated.

46 By Procyon.

22 39

22 40

23 45

21

51

25

23 46 51

25 55
25 55
25 5^

25 56

25 57

25 57

By ^ the South horn of the Bull.

By the fame.

f By Flamfteed’s 121 of Taurus and the 163
1 of La Caille.

By the fame.

By the fame if .

By a if of the 8th mag. obferved on the merid.
By the planet Mars.

By the above if of the 8th mag.

By the planet Mars.

3'By the above if of the 8ih mag.

4jBy Mars.

25

28

47

46

Such are my obfervations, from whence M. Pingre has deduced the following Ele-
ments of its orbit.

so'/'

Afcending si 3. 18 42 10

Indication of the orbit 31 25 55

Place of the perihelion 8. 28 22 44
Log. of the perihel. dift. 9,722833
Faffed the perihel. the 22d of November, 1770, at 22^^ 5' 48''' M.T.
at the royal obfervatory, motion retrograde. He adds, “ that this
“ comet refembles none of thole whole elements are determined,
“ on comparing its motion with the places of its Perihel and ^2 • it
“ is eafy to fee, that it was impolTible to difeover it at Paris before
“ the year 1771 ; and it may even be added, that it mull; frequently
have paffed in the Sun’s neighbourhood, imperceptible to the
‘ Northern parts of the Earth.”

u

XIV.

I'/n/iKf. Trans. i'^i'l.hXL. Tab- IV jt

1

IhSM

f t MM

[ ]

XIV. Defcription and Ufa of a new con-
fruEied Equatorial Eelefcope or portable
Obfervatory^ made by Mr, Edward Nairne,
London.

Read Feb. | ARE Inftrument confifls -of the fol^
' JL lowing parts (fee the annexed Plate*
Tab. IV.) a mahogany triangular Stand AAA, and
three adjufting fcrews B B B j a. moveable azimuth
Circle C, which is divided into degrees, and by a vernier
index to every 6 minutes j above this azimuth Circle
is the horizontal plate D, to the under part of which
is faftened the vertical conical axis E ; on the middle
of the upper furface of the horizontal plate, is placed
a ground glafs Level F, by which the plate D is fet
parallel, and the pillar E perpendicular to the ho-
rizon ; from this plate rife perpendicularly two qua-
drants G G, one of which is divided for the latitude
into half degrees, and has a vernier index to 3 mi-
nutes i the equatorial plate H, with its hour circle*
is fupported by the two quadrants G G ; its axis of
motion (which is placed near the hours XIL XII.)
paffes through the centers of the quadrants, and
carries the index I, pointing to the divided quadrant ;
the equatorial plate is divided into half degrees, and
has a vernier index fliewing every 3 minutes of right
afcenfion or 1 2 feconds of time j it is figured to Ihew

P 2 both

[ io8 ]

both degrees and time ; to prevent mlfapprehenfion,
it may be right to remark that the hours XII. XII.
ought properly to have been placed according to the
meridian line j they are here placed otherwife, for
the convenience of better feeing the meridian dif-
tance flaewn by the vernier j On the upper part of
the equatorial plate is the plate K ; upon this plate
K, are fixed the two fupporters MM, which fup-
port the axis N, under which is faftened the femi-
circle of declination O, divided into half degrees,
and has a vernier index fubdividing it to 3 minutes ;
on the upper part of this axis, is fixed an achromatic
Telefcope P, which magnifies about 50 times j to the
eye End of this Telefcope, is applied a final 1 refledting
fpeculum making an angle of 45° with the axis
of the telefcope, whereby objedls that are in the
zenith or any other altitude may be obferved, with-
out putting the body in any inconvenient pofition ;
to the under part of the axis N, is faftened a brafs
arm carrying the weight Q, which counterbalances
the telefcope, and the brafs work annexed to it; whilft
the weights RR counterbalance in like manner the
whole of the inftrument that is moveable on the
equatorial axis, fo that whatever pofition the inftru^
ment is put in, it will there remain, being perfedly
balanced ; the four motions of this inftrument may,
when required, be moved extreamly flow, by
means of the indented edges of the circle and fe-
micircles, and the fcrews or worms to which the-
handles are fixed, 'uiz. that for the horizontal mo^
tion marked S, called the horizontal handle, that
marked T the handle of latitude, V the equatorial
handle, and W the declination handle..

I

To..

C IC9 ]

To adjuft the inftrument for obfervatlon, the firfl:
thing to be done is to make the horizontal plate D
level, by means of the fpirit level, and the three ad-
juring fcrews at the bottom of the fland ; this being
done, move the equatorial plate either with or without
the latitude handle, until the index on the quadrant
points to the latitude of the place; and then the e-
quatorial plate will be raifed, to the elevation of the
equator of the place, which is equal to the complement
of the latitude (and which, if not known, may like-
wife be found by this inftrument, as will appear
hereafter) ; and thus the inftrument Is ready for
oblervation. The manner of ufing this inftrument for
the following obfervations, 1 fhall borrow in part
from the words of the late ingenious Mr. Short, in
his defcription of his equatorial telefcope*, which,,
however, ditfers eflenfially in conftrudtion from this.

To find the Hour of the Day, and the Meridian of-

the Place.

Firft, find from aftronomical Tables, the Sun’s
declination for the day; and for that particular time
of the day ; then let the declination femicircle to the
declination of the Sun, taking particular notice whe-
ther it is North, or South ; and fet the declination
femicircle accordingly, you then turn about both the
horizontal handle and equatorial handle, until you
find the Sun precifely concentrical with the field of
the telefcope ; if you have a clock or watch at
hand, mark that inftant of time, and by looking upon,
the equatorial plate and vernier index, you will' find;

* Vide Phil. Tranf. Vol. XL. p. 242^.

tlic

C no ]

the exad apparent time of the day, which, com-
paring with the time fliewn by the clock or watch,
fiiews how much either of them differ from apparent
time; in this manner you find the hour of the
day.

To find the Meridian ofi the Place,

[The inftrument remaining as in thelaft obfervation6j

You firft move the plate K until the vernier on it
cuts the 12 o’clock hour, and, difcharging the fcrew
to which the declination handle is fixed, turn the
telefcope down to the horizon, and obferve the point
which is then in the middle of the field of the tele-
fcope, or cut by the interfedlion of the crofs wires,
and a fuppofed line drawn from the center of this
field, to that point in the horizon, is your meridian
line, where a mark may be fet up in order to pre-
ferve itj you may likevvife preferve this line, by the
azimuth circle, which being made moveable, fhould
be turned fo as to bring the o of the azimuth plate
to agree with its vernier, when the telefcope is point-
ed to the meridian ; this motion in the azimuth plate
will be found very convenient, fince you may thus
recover the meridian line by it, and it will ihew the
exadt azimuth of any objeft the telefcope is diredfed
to, without diflurbing any other part of the inftru-
ment : the beft time of the day for making this
oblervation for finding your meridian, is about three
hours before noon, or as much after noonj the meri-
dian of the place may be found by this method very
nearly, and, if proper allowance be made for re-

fradtion,

[ in ]

fradlion, it may be found to great exadnefs ; this line
once fettled will lave trouble aftei wards, and is indeed
the foundation of all aflronomical obfervations.

' 'To find a known Star or Planet at aiiy propofed infiant
oj timey whether in the day or night.

The inflrument remaining redified as in the laft
obfervation ; fet the declination femicircle to the
declination of the planet, at the propofed infiant,
and bring the index of the equatorial plate, to point
to the meridian difl^nce of the flar or planet, at the
propofed infiant if weflward, or to the complement of
the meridian diflance if eaflward of the meridian.
(This diftance is found by adding together the right
afcenfion of the Sun in time, and the apparent time
ol the day, and taking the difference between the
fum and the flar’s right afcenfion in time^ when the
flar’s ri<iht afcenfion in time is greater than the above
fum, the meridian diflance will be Eaft ; when the
flar’s right afcenfion is lefs than the fum, the meri-
dian diflance is Wefl,) Having thus fet the Inflrument,
look through the telefcope, you will fee the flar or
planet j and if it fliould afterwards get out of the
field, you will eafily recover it, by moving the equa-
torial handle onlv, provided the flar is above the
horizon, becauie the diurnal motion of a flar is par-
aliel to the ^equator.

By this inflrument mofl of the flars of the firfl and
fecond magnitude may be feen even at midday, and
the Sun finning bright, as alio Mercury, Venus, and
Jupiter ; Saturn and Mars are not fo eafy to be feen,
in the day time, upon account of the ftintnefs of

their

[ II2 ]

heir light, except when the Sun Is but a few degrees
above the horizon j in the fame manner in the night
time, v.'hen you can fee a ftar or planet, or any new
phacnonienon, fucli as a comet, you may find its de-
clination and meridian diftance or complement
thereof, by turning about the equatorial handle and
declination handle, uinili you fee the flar, planet, or
new phaenomenon ; and looking upon the equatorial
plate, you find its meridian diftance or complement
thereto, and upon the declination femicircle its de-
clination. In order to have the other ufes of this
inftrument, you muft let it to the hour XII on the
equatorial plate, and to o on the femicircle of de-
clination, and fet the axis E perpendicular to the
horizon, and then this inftrument becomes an Equal ‘
Altitude Inftrument, a Tranfit Inftrument, a Theo-
dolite, a Q^drant, an Azimuth Inftrument, and a
Level j the manner of applying it to thefe different
purpoles is obvious.

following is one Example of its Ufes in finding the
Altitude of any ObjeSl.

Set o of the femicircle of declination, to agree
with oof its vernier index, and faften it there j fix
likewife the vernier of the equatorial plate to 12
o’clock, or o degrees ; then, having let the axis E per-
pendicular, by means of the level F, turn the inftru-
inent about horizontally upon the axis E, and verti-
cally upon the axis of motion of the equatorial plate,
until the objedf appears in the middle of the field j
and the index 1 will point out upon the quadrant

[ .”3 ]

G, the zenith dlftance of the obje<5t, the comple-
ment of which to 90° is its altitude ; hence the great-
eft or meridian altitude may be found, from which
the latitude of the place may be deduced in the ufual
manner.

VoL(* LXI.

Q

XV. Epert-

f

XV. Experiments to fiew the Nature of
AurumMofaicum : By Mr. Peter Woulfe,
F. R. S.

Read, Feb. 14.^ | 5 H E Aurum mofaicum is known
'JL by the names of Aurum mufivum,
Aurum mulicum, and Purpurina. We can colledt
but very imperfect ideas of this preparation, from the
writings of antient and modern chemifts. It is true,
that the method of making it has been defcribed
by many; but no one hitherto has led us into the
knowledge of its nature, by a fufficient number of
experiments. It has been much ufed formerly as a
pigment, but is now almoft laid afide, and the Bronzes
fuhftitued in its place. It is fometimes ufed in medi-
cine as a vermifuge, but how improper and uncer-
tain it is for that purpofe, will appear by the follow-
ing experiments.

The beft preparation defcribed hitherto for making
Aurum mofaicum, is fet down in the London Dif-
penfatory, and is as follows.

Take of tin twelve ounces, of flowers of fulphur
feven ounces, of fal ammoniac fix ounces, and of
purified mercury fix ounces ; melt the tin, and add
the mercury to it ; and when cold, powder it, and
mix with it the fal ammoniac and fulphur. Sublime
the mixture in a matrafs. The Aurum mofaicum

will

r II.5 1

will be found under the fublimate, with fome drofs
at the bottom

Etiology of the Operation,

As loon as the mixture grows warm, the tin adls
on the fil ammoniac, and fets free its volatile alkali j
and this, having a great affinity with fulphur, joins
with a great part of it -f-, rifes in the fublimation, and
is totally diffipated. The portion of tin, which
aded on the Sal ammoniac and fet free its volatile al-
cali, unites with the acid of fait of the fal ammoniac,
and forms a fait of tin, which fublimesj. The
mercury, which was added only in order to divide
the tin, unites with fome of the fulphur, and like-
wife fublimes and forms a cinnabar. The tin which
remains, unites with the remaining fulphur, and
forms the Aurum mofaicum, which is found in the
bottom of the matrafs. Inftead of performing this
operation in a matrafs, I have ufed a glafs retort, fixed
in a black lead crucible, with land round it j the
crucible was put into a proper furnace, and a charcoal

* The proportion formely ufed was equal parts of each, which
in. the quantity of tin here employed, viz, ^ 12, produced only
^ 13I of Aurum mofaicum; whereas the fame quantity of tin
in the proportion of the London difpenfatory afforded ^16,

Troy weight was made ufe of in all the following experi-
ments.

t Sulphur combined with volatile alcali forms a volatile liver
of fulphur, called by Mr. Boyle volatile tincture of fulphur and
quick lime.

i Filings of tin, calx of tin, or tin divided by amalgamation
with mercury, diftilled with fal ammoniac, &c. decompofes it,
whereby its acid of fait unites with the tin, and its volatile
alkali is fet free,

0^2 fire

[ ]

fire made round it, an adopter was luted to the re-
tort, and to the adopter a quilled receiver j a long
vial was fitted to the quill of the receiver, in order
to hold the liquor that diftilled.

It will be eaiy by this apparatus to perform the
operation without any confiderabie lofs, provided the
fire be well regulated. It is neceflary to make a very
flow fire at firfl, in order to condenfe the volatile
fumes ; for a great quantity of air is fet free, when
the ingredients begin to a6f on one another. The fire
fho’ild be rather flow for the firfl four or five hours,
and then gradually encreafed, until the crucible be-
comes moderately red hot ; in which date it is to be
continued during the reft of the operation, which
commonly lafts about fixteen hours from the begin-
ning to the end.

If this operation be performed for the fake of the
Aurum mofaicum only, or for its fublimate, it may
as well be done in a matrafs or body j and in that cafe
there is no great lofs of the fublimate.

Twelve ounces of tin with fulphur, fal ammoniac
and mercury in the proportion of the London dif-
penfatory, prepared in this manner produced,

§ 5 ^

* Of volatile liver of fulphur, liquid and dry 142
Of fublimate found in the retort and I

adopter j ^3 ^ ®

Of Aurum mofaicum 16 o o

Lofs in the operation oil

Weight of all the ingredients § 31 o o

* The volatile liver, for the moft part, comes over liquid,
and is often found in the long vial in form of moft beautiful
ramifications, which are a cryftallization of the volatile liver.

The

C ”7 ]

This operation was often repeated, and always
with fome little variation in the produds, owing to
the management of the fire, which cannot be always
made alike.

If this preparation be made with too great a degree
of fire, the Aurum mofaicum will be partly melted,
or of a dark colour 5 and if the fire be not continued
for a fufficient time, a portion of the cinnabar and
fait of tin will remain with the Aurum mofaicum.

^he Sublhnate of Aurum mofaicum examined.

The fublimate, which was obtained in preparing
the Aurum mofaicum weighing J 13 5 2 was finely
powdered and digefted with diftilled water fharpened
with fome acid of fait and when cold was filtered 3
more water was added to what remained in the filter,
by which means it was deprived of its foluble part.

•f* The undiflblved part of the fublimate dried,
and then fublimed in a retort, produced § 9I of cin-
nabar, which was of a dark colour, owing to an excefs
of fulphur; there came over into the receiver a fmall
quantity of an acid liquor, and there was found in
the retort 5 I of Aurum mofaicum, which added to
the former quantity makes J i6|.

The foluble part of the fublimate is compofed of
tin united to the acid of fait ; in order to know
the quantity of tin which it contains, a fufficient
quantity of fixed alcali diflblved in water was added

^ Salt of tin mixed with water becomes turbid, and a portion
of the tin precipitates ; therefore the acid of fait was added, to pre-
vent the precipitation.

f This contains fome running mercury j but in the fublima-
tion it difappears, and forms cinnabar.

7 to

[ ”8 ]

to it, by which means the tin was precipitated j this
precipitate weighed § 2 | y.

An ounce of tin diflblved in the acid of fait
being precipitated with a folution of fixed alcali in
water, well wathed and dried -f* weighed 5 1 f ; fb
that a precipitate of tin contains only .i of tin, and
therefore the 5 2 5 7 of precipitate obtained from the
fiiblimate contain only §252! nearly of tin; this
being dedudfed from ^ 1 2, the quantity of tin ufed
in the operation, makes J 9 3 5fj which is the real
quantity of tin contained in the ^ i6| of Aurum
mofaicum obtained in this procefs ; therefore J i
of Aurum mofaicum contains ^ i of tin, and g
of fulphur; for ^ 9 5 5I of tin is to J i6| of Aurum
mofaicum, as ^ i of tin is to ^ i _!g. nearly of Aurum
mofaicum. I'his will be further illuftrated by other
experiments.

The tin, which was precipitated by adding a fixed
alkali to the foluble part of the fublimate, was dif-
tilled with iron filings and fixed alkali ; but no mer-
cury was obtained. This fliews that none of the
mercury unites with the acid of the fal ammoniac.

There was no volatile alkaline fmell produced by
the addition of fixed alkali to the foluble part of
the fublimate, though there were an excefs of it
added ; which proves that the fal ammoniac was to-'
tally decompofed, /

* The vapour, which arifes in diffblving tin in the acid of
fait, becomes inflammable, when the folution is made in large
quantity, by means of heat; the like happens alfo with regard
to lead,

t This precipitate, if dried with too much heat, takes fire,
and burns like a dried plant, that contains nitre.

The

[ “9 ]

The foluble part of the fublimate of Aurum
mofaicum produces cryftals of an irregular form,
which do not deliquefce in the air like all other falts
of tin, owing chiefly to their having a lefs portion
of acid, A drop of the folution of this fublimate,
cryftallifed on a piece of glafs, and viewed with a
microfcope, has very much the appearance of the
cryftals of alum.

Aurum mofaicum, when well prepared, is of a
fhining golden colour, has no tafte, and is not fo-
luble in water. It is not adled on by acids, nor by
fixed or volatile alkalis dilTolved in water. If melted
with an equal quantity of fixed alkaline fait of tartar,
it forms a liver of the colour of gumbouge, which
is, for the mofl: part, foluble in water, and may be
precipitated by any acid.

If Aurum mofaicum be diftilled with iron filings,
no mercury will be obtained.

It is well known, that tin deflagrates violently with
nitre ; therefore it will not feem furprifing, that the
Aurum mofaicum fhould have that property in a far
greater degree, it being a compofition of tin and
fulphur

Sulphur, combined with metallick fubftances, ren-
ders them inactive, as we fee in cinnabar, antimony,
&c. 5 therefore Aurum mofaicum well prepared muft
be a very unfit medicine for worms,

Aurum mofaicum is often found to have a very
rough tafte^ but that is owing to the fait of tin,
which has not been fufficiently difilpated in the fub-
limation, and, in that ftate it may efFedtually deftroy

• May not this fubftance be ufeful in fire-works, as alfo
fulphurated iron ?

worms 5

[ 12° ]

worms ; but it niuft be allowed to be a very uncer-
tain medicine, and perhaps dangerous, as it may con-
tain too fmall or too great a quantity of the fait of
tin.

If fait of tin be good for worms, it would be right
to afcertain its dofe, and give it in a proper vehicle.

I'm combined with Sulphur^ by Fujion.

Four ounces of tin melted and faturated with
fulphur weighed 5 5, and formed a black (Lining
flaky brittle fubdance when melted. The tin need
not be made quite red hot for this operation ; for,
when the fulphur is mixed with it, a deflagration
enfues, and the mixture grows red hot. In order to
fatiirate the tin with as much fulphur as poflible, it
mud: be added to it at two or three different times.
The tin, notwithflanding, cannot be, by this means,
perfedly faturated with fulphur j for after powdering
and fifting it, there remains in the fieve a portion of
the tin, which will flat under the peftle, and not
powder any more, unlefs melted and combined with
more fulphur. If this operation be done with too
great a degree of fire, the increafe of weight will not
be fo confiderable, on account of the great fire, which
diflipates fome of the fulphur.

Four ounces of Aurum mofaicum melted in a
covered crucible lofes 56 of its weight, and becomes
a mafs fomewhat like melted fulphurated tin, though
it be not fo fhining, nor fo flaky, but rather more of
a needle form. If the fufion be repeated two or
three times, fome of its fulphur will be each time
diffipated, and have exadly tlie appearance of ful-
phurated tin.

Aurum

f

[ I2I ]

Aurum mofaicum melts much more readily than
fulphurated tin ; and that, becaufe it contains a greater
quantity of fulphur.

Sulphurated tini by calcination, Is totally deprived
of its fulphur and phlogiflon. ^ 4 of tin faturated
with fulphur, and then carefully calcined weighed
5 4l, fo that a calx of tin prepared in this manner,
weighs -1 more than the tin it contains*.

Four ounces of Aurum mofaicum calcined in the
fame manner, weighed § 3, 5 2, 9 i, which, being
a calx of tin, of the nature of that made with ful-
phurated tin, contains ^ lefs of tin, which 4 being
deduded, makes 5 2, 5 7, 9 i, gr. 4I, the quantity
of tin contained in ^ 4 of Aurum mofaicum ■f'. An
ounce of Aurum mofaicum carefully calcined, and
reduced with flux, produced only | f and gr. r i of
tin: we may conclude from the foregoing experi-
ments, that ^ I of Aurum mofaicum contains more
than this quantity of tin j but it is well known that
metallick bodies, which have been much calcined,
and efpedally tin and zinc, always lofe in their
redudion.

Aurum mofaicum will be of a black colour, if
too fmall a quantity of fulphur be ufed, and if the
fire be too ftrong and too long continued *f*.

* All metallick fubftances, and even zinc, though a good deal
of it diffipates in flowers, increafe in weight by calcination,
t It is almoft impoflible to calcine Aurum mofaicum, with-
out fome lofs i for it is fo light and fubtil, that it cannot be
flirred without diilipating fome of it ; therefore the quantity of
tin which it contains, cannot be exadlly afeertained by this
means.

VoL. LXL

R

Receipts

[ 122 ]

Receipts for making Aurum Mofaicum without^ Mer^

cury.

ifl. Take 5 ^ of granulated tin fifted through a
fine fieve, and mix it well with ^ 6 of fulphur, and
J 4 of fal ammoniac; put the mixture into a matrafs
or body, and calcine it for fix or feven hours. The
Aurum mofaicum hereby obtained is not of fo bright
a colour, as that made in the ufual manner ; and
that, on account of the tin not being fufficiently divi-
ded in order to unite well with the fulphur.

2d. Take ^ 8 of tin reduced to a calx by calcina-
tion, and mix it well with 5 7 of fulphur, and § 4
of fal ammoniac ; calcine it as the former. This
makes a good coloured Aurum mofaicum,, though
it be found here and there of an unequal colour,
owing to fome of the tin, which had been too much
calcined, and thereby prevented from uniting with
the fulphur.

3d. Take ^ 8 of tin, and faturate it by fufion with
fulphur, powder and mix it well with ^ 5 of fulphur,
and § 4 of fal ammoniac; calcine the mixture as be-
fore. This produces a good coloured Aurum mofai-
cum.

Receipts for preparing Aurum Mofaicum^ without Mer^
cury or Sal ammoniac,

ifi:. Take § 8 of tin, faturate it by fufion with
fulphur, and mix it with ^ 4 more of fulphur, and
calcine as before, but with a lefs degree of fire.
This lorms rather a dark coloured Aurum mofair
cum, owing to the fulphur wh'di melts, and in great

meafur e

[ 123 ]

meafure feparates and fwlmson thefurface of the ful*^
phurated tin,

2d. Take 5 lo of fulphurated tin/ powder and
mix it well with ^ 4 of fulphur, and ^ 2 of fpirit
of faltj calcine the mixture as the forn)er. This
forms an Aurum mofaicum of a tolerable good co-
lour. This mixture fbon grows warm of it felf after
being put into the body, and produces a penetrating
vinous fmell, no ways like that which is afforded by
difTolving tin in the acid of fait.

In this operation, part of the tin unites with the
acid of fait, and is at laft diflipated in the operation.

3d. Take ^ 8 of tin, and faturate it with fulphur,
powder and mix it with ^ 5 of fulphur ; put it into
a body, and pour on it 3 2 of volatile liver of fulphur
obtained in making Aurum mofaicum, and calcine
it as fore. This does not make fo good a coloured
Aurum mofaicum as the former, owing to the fulion
of the fulphur, which in great meafure feparates from
the fulphurated tin. Soon after the volatile liver was
poured on the mixture of fulphurated tin and ful-
phur, it grew fo hot that the body could fcarcely be
held in the hand.

4th, Take ^ 4 of tin, faturate it with fulphur,
powder and mix it well with ^ 2 of fulphur, and
J I of tin dilTolved in the acid of fait and cryftallifed ;
calcine it as ufual. This produced § of very
good and quite taflelefs Aurum mofaicum, fo that
I 4 of tin by its union with fulphur encreafed in
weight § 2

This operation was done in a retort, to which there
was luted an adopter and receiver, in order to coiled:

R 2 the

[ 124 ]

the fait of tin, which for the moft part came over
congealed.

5th. Take § 10 of fulphurated tin, powder and
mix it well with ^ 16 of corrofive mercury fubli-
mate ; put it into a retort, to which an adopter and
receiver is to be luted, calcine It for fix hours, at firft
with a middling fire, and for the lafi; three hours the
retort mu ft be red hot.

In this operation, a portion of the tin unites with
the acid of the mercury fublimate; and forms the
fmoaking liquor of Libavlus, which diftills for the
moft part in a liquid form ; 'the mercury contained
in the mercury fublimate unites with a fmall portion
of fulphur (about 4 of its weight), and fublimes in
form of cinnabar in the top of the retort ; the re-
maining tin, having a fufliciency of fulphur, forms
the Aurum mofaicum, which is found at the bot-
tom of the retort of a moft beautiful fparkling golden
colour.

The reafon for obtaining Aurum mofaicum by this
operation is, that the greateft part of the tin unites
with the acid of the mercury fublimate, and rifes
in diftillation ; the remaining tin has thereby a fuf-
ficient quantity of fulphur to form the Aurum mo-
faicum.

Some of the foregoing receipts did not well fuc-
ceed at the firft or fecond trial 5 and many other
experiments, which did not anfwer, have here been
omitted.

From the foregoing experiments, we may certain-
ly conclude, that Aurum mofaicum is a combination
of tin and fulphur j it contains better than 4 of
fulphur. It alfo appears that the only ule of the

mercury.

C *25 1

'mercury Is to divide the tin; and that the fal am-
moniac ferves only to prevent the fufion of the ful-
phur.

The following proportion will anfwer better than
that of the London Difpenfatory ; for there will be
a greater produce of Aurum mofaicum, though a
lefs quantity of mercury and fal ammoniac be ufed.

Tin § 12, fulphur J 7, fal ammoniac 5 3, and
mercury J 3.

This proportion yields § ^7i of Aurum mofai-
cum, whereas that of the London Difpenfatory gives
only 5 16.

The foluble part of the fublimate of Aurum mo-
faicum anfwers far better for dying than any folu-
tion of tin ; a fmall quantity of it with cochineal will
dye iilk, and efpecially cloth, of a fine fcarlet colour ;
filk may be dyed of a fine crimfon' colour, by its
means, with the addition of brazil wood, peach wood,
or braziletto ; but with logwood, filk and cloth may
be made of a great variety of fine purple polours,,
which feem lafting.

The property, which this fublimate has of making
finer colours than any folution of tin, engaged me to
make many trials, with other preparations of tin;,
and I found, that when tin was united to the acid of
fait, and diftilled or fublimed, it would produce finer
colours than any folution or combination of tin, un-
fublimed or undiftilled.

I mufi: be excufed for the prefent, for not telling
the reafon of this ; it may be difcovered by examin-
ing well the products, which are obtained by making
the liquor fumans of Libavius, in the common man-
ner.

May

[ ’'26 ]

May not Iron and copper, united to the acid of
fait and fublimed, anfwer better for dying, than
other preparations of iron and copper ?

Moll other metallick fubftances may be after this
manner more intimately combined with a greater
portion of fulphur than by fulion. Bilmuth is the
only one, which produced a golden colour, and that
not fo fine a one as Aurum mofaicuin. Iron, cop-
per, lead, and regulus of antimony, produce black
combinations ; arfenic forms a reddidi mafs like real-
gar j zinc does not in this manner, nor in any other
way that I know, combine with fulphur.

Ah Apparatus for ?naking Aurum Mojaicim in the

cheapejl manner^

A glafs vefTel cannot be ufed for this operation
more than once, becaufe it is neceffary to break it, to
get out the Aurum mofaicum. The following
utenfil may be employed a great number of times,
and fave the expence of glafs.

Take a black lead crucible, N°. 6o ; bore a round
hole in its bottom about three inches diameter ; and
faw off an inch of its upper edge ; if it has a lip,
get a round piece of burnt clay, of an inch thick
or rather more, to fit exadly into this edge; the
compofition, which is ufed for making paving-tiles,
anfwers very well for this purpofe. In order to
make ufe of this apparatus, fit the round piece of
burnt clay to the inner edge of the crucible, by
means of fome loam foftened with glue, and dry it
flowly ; then turn it upfide down, and lay it in a
proper furnace on two iron bars. The mixture for
the Aurum mofaicum is to be put in through the

round

r 127 ]

round hole at. top, and then covered with an aludel
and luted ; this ferves to colledl the flowers and the
fublimate which rifes. The fire is to be made under
and all round the crucible. 1 1 tb. Troy of Aurum
mofaicum may be made here at a time ; and when the
operation is over, the bottom or round piece of burnt
clay will eafily come out with the Aurum mofai-
cum. A large crucible may be made ufe of, if a
larger quantity be required to be made at once. The
operation cannot fail of fuccefs, provided the fire be
made of a fufficient ftrength, and of an equal degree
from the bottom to the top of the crucible, which
is eafily done in a good furnace. The operation is fini-
fhed in eight hours, iinlefs the volatile liver is wanted.

White arfenic, digelled with a folution of tin in
the acid of fait, becomes foon black ; it does hereby
regain its phlogiflon, and is reduced to the {fate of
regulus of arfenic, and will by this means readily
combine with copper, and other metallick fubfiances;
which it would not do, without the help of phlogif-
tic fubfiances. This is the moft eafy and ready way
of reducing arfenic to its metallick form : the arfenic
may be deprived of the folution of tin, which ad-
heres to it by wathing it with water. It is to be
dried flowly, for otherwife it is apt to catch fire.

A Method of dying Wool and Silk, of a yellow colour,
with Indigo and alfo with federal other blue and '
red colouring Subfances.

THE Saxon blues have been known for feme
dinej and are made by difiblving indigo in oil of.

1. vitriol,,

[ 128 ]

vitriol, by which means the indigo becomes of a
much more lively colour, and is extended to fuch a
degree, that it will go very far in dying.

A receipt for making the beft Saxon blue will, I
dare fay, be agreeable to many ; I will, therefore,
give the following, which produces a very fine colour,
and never fails of fuccefs.

Mix § I of the beft powdered Indigo, with J 4 of
oil of vitriol in a glafs body or matrafs : and dlgefl
it for one hour with the heat of boiling water, fhak-
ing the mixture at different times; then add § 12 of
water to it, and ffir the whole well, and when
grown cold filter it. This produces a very rich deep
colour ; if a paler blue be required, it may be ob^
tained by the addition of more water. The heat of
boiling water is fufficient for this operation, and can
never fpoil the colour ; whereas a fand heat, which
is commonly ufed for this purpofe, is often found
to damage the colour, from its uncertain heat.

Indigo, which has been digefted with a large quan-
tity of fpirit of wine, and then dried, will produce
a finer colour than the former, if treated in the
fame manner, with oil of vitriol.

No one, that I know of, has heretofore made ufe
of the acid of nitre, in head of the acid of vitriol ;
and it is by means of the former that the yellow
colour is obtained : it was neverthelefs natural to ufe
it, on account of its known property of making
yellow fpots, when dropped on any coloured cloth.

The acid of fait does not diffolve indigo, and
therefore is of no ufe in dying.

Receipt

[ ]

Receipt for making the yellow dye.

Take \ powdered indigo, and mix it in a
high glafs veffcl, with 5 2 of ftrong fpirit of nitre,
previouily diluted with 5 8 of water j let the mixture
ftand for a week, and then digeft it in a fand heat
for an hour or more, and add ^ 4 more of water to
it; filter the folution, which will be of a fine yellow*
colour.

Strong fpirit of nitre is liable to fet fire to indigo ;
and it is on that account that it was diluted with
water, as well as to hinder its frothing up. 5 2|
of ftrong fpirit of nitre will fet fire to ^ | of indigo ;
but, if it be highly concentrated, a Ids quantity will
fuffice.

If the indigo be digcfled twenty four hours after
the fpirit of nitre is poured on it, it will froth and
boil over ; but, after ftanding a week or lefs, it has
not that property.

One part of the folution of indigo in the acid of
nitre, mixed with four or five parts of water, will
dye filk or cloth of the paled yellow colour, or of
any fhade to the deeped, and that by letting them
boil more or lefs in the colour. The addition of
alum is ufeful, as it makes the colour more lading ;
according as the folution boils away, more water
mud be added.

None of the colour in the operation feparates from
the water, but what adheres to the filk or cloth ;
of confequence this colour goes far in dying.

Cochineal, Dutch litmus, orchel, cudbear, and
many other colouring fubdances treated in this man-
ner, will all dye filk and wool of a yellow colour.

VoL. LXI. S The

V

[ *30 ]

The indigo which remains undiflblved in making-
Saxon blue, and colledled by filtration, if digefted
with fpirit of nitre, dyes filk and wool of all fhades
of brown inclining to a yellow.

Cloth and filk may be dyed green with indigo
but they muft firft be boiled in the yellow dye,,
and then in the blue.

XV. Account

I >3^ ]

XVI. Account of an extraordinary Steatoma^
tous Tumour^ in the Abdomen of a Wo--
man^ by P. Hanly, M, D. Communka-^
ted by Charles Morton, Af. D. Sec, R, S.

Received November 8, 1770.

Read Feb. 21,
1771.

Mr S. Reily, aged thirty fix years,
pale, tall, flefhy, and formerly of
a healthy con flit ution, was brought to bed of a flrong,
lively daughter, on the twenty third day of May,
1770, in the parifh of St. Anne, Dublin.

In the fifth month of her pregnancy, (he felt an
uncommon lump in her ftomach (as fhe expreffed
it), about the fize of a hen-egg, which did not then
give her much pain or uneafinefs, and (he was in
hopes that her delivery would carry it off : fhe had
towards the end of her pregnancy frequent teach-
ings, fometimes puked, and became emaciated }
three days after fhe was brought to bed, fhe found
the lump and teachings had encreafed ; fhe became
very uneafy, and fent for me.

Upon examining her abdomen, I felt a confider-
able tumour contiguous to her ftomach, which after-
wards had greatly encreafed, and was extended ob-
liquely to her right fide, as low as her navel ; it lay
immediately under the peritoneum and abdominal
mufcles, and in the progrefs of its encreafe, I could

S 2 plainly

C »32 ]

plainly feel one large, and other fmaller protuberances
of a firm lubftance, in fome mcafure relembling the
head and I'uperior extremities of a foetus. It could
be eafily moved from fide to fide, without giving
her any pain ; but it refificd, and made her uneafy,
when I attempted to move it downwards : her ab-
domen appeard plump and full, as if flae had not
been brought to bed ; but the hypochondres were
more prominent and diftended, than the region be-
low her navel. I ordered for her the limple bitter
infufion with ablorbent powders, and delayed giving
deobftruent medicines, till Ibe had recovered her
drength after lying-in. I alfo defired her not to
fuckle her infant ; but, as her hufband was poor, flie
did not comply, by which means (lie quickly be-
came greatly exhaufled and emaciated.

In a fortnight after her delivery, die got up daily,
walked about her room, Ibmetimes went abroad,
and continued to fuckle her child ; but the reachings
returned at intervals, the tumour increafed in fize,
its protuberances became larger and more didind:,
die was often rcdlefs, and in pain at night on lying
in bed, had a hedic fever, and daily became weaker
and more emaciated, with a diarp pinched-up nofe,
hippocratic countenance, fmall, quick, weak, thread-
like pulfe, lofs of appetite, and night fweats.

In five weeks after her delivery, the tumour had
greatly increafed in all its dimenfions ; and its pro-
tuberances, which to the feel feemed to refemble
the head, trunk, and extremities of an extra-uterine
fcetus, became more palpable and didind, as the
abdominal mufcles from their didenfion became
thinner. I brought ten phydcians, furgeons, and ac-
coucheurs

[ »33 ]

coucheurs to vifit her; and we were all fo much
deceived as to be of opinion, that the tumour was an
extra-uterine foetus: however, we were deterred from
attempting the Caefarean operation, from a convic-
tion that the was too weak, hedtical, and reduced,
to encourage any hopes of her recovery, in cafe it
had been performed ; and therefore we determined
to leave the event to nature, efpecially as we could
perceive no motion of any particular parts of the
tumour, though it had greatly increafed, and as it
was poffible that it might be fome other tumour.

She continued gradually declining ; the tumour
and fymptoms increafing, during May and June;
and the twenty-third day of July following, I per-
ceived a fmall fluduation of water in her abdomen,
and gave her an intimation thereof, which deter-
mined her to procure another nurfe for her infant;
but the afeites daily increafed, and in nine or ten
days after, her legs and feet became oedematous,
her night-fweats ftill continued, though her dropfy
augmented, and flic languilhed under the acute
pains, more frequent reachings, hedtic fever, lofs of
flrength, want of appetite, and reftlefs nights, except
when file took an opiate, which often proved a great
relief and refreQiment to her.

Her pofture in bed now was half fitting, half
lying, which was the only pofition die could bear
without great pain and diortnefs of breathing.

About feven days before her death, (he was feized
with a fmart lax, which, in a few days, carried off
part of the fwelling in her left leg ; die became fome-
what lighter, and lefs diftreffed in her breathing,
which made her vainly hope, that her diforder might

be

[ *3’+ ]

’be earned off in that iiianner ; but the tumour.,
■weaknefs, and other rymptoins encreafed, till the
k'cond day of September inrtant when the expired.

After her death, on opening her abdomen, in pre-
fence of feven gentlmen of the faculty, we found
about a gallon of water, and a large fleatomatous
tumour juft under the peritoneum, near three inches
in thicknefs, feven inches in length from her ftomach
to the obtufe angle of her ribs, and in fome places
near five inches in breath from her fternum to the
vertebras of her back, full of prominences of dif-
ferent fizes. It was of a hard confiftence, like tallow
in its anterior part, but fofeer pofteriorly, and divided
by thin membranes into numerous cells, which
were diftended with hard and fofter fat ; it weighed
.feven pounds, was of an irregular figure, adhered
to, and comprellcd, the anterior part of her ftomach,
and was fo firmly united to the inferior furface of
the liver, that it could not be feparated from it
without force. It preffed and concealed the colon,
.and extended from the ftomach by her liver to the
right ovarium, and vertebras of her back : the fmall
guts were greatly fqueezed, and moftly forced to-
wards the left fide ; and the anterior lobe of her
liver was fo comprefled between the diaphragm and
tumour, that it appeared flattened, fmaller than
ufual, and in a withered, decaying ftate.

There was nothing praeternatural in the matrix, or
any of the other bowels ; but they were greatly
compreffed, and the tumour, from its membranes
and contained fat, feemed to be a production and
diftenfion of that part of the omentum, which ad-
Iieres to the ftomach, although it reached and ad-
hered

[X3S]

hered tO' the right ovarium, liver, aorta, and colon,
as well as to the ftomach.

The operator was for fome time in fearch of the
colon, before he found it, adhering to, and almoft
forming a part of, the poflerior edge of the tumour.

Dublin,
Sept. 6, 1779.

P. Hanly j M D,

L *3^ ]

0

Received P'ebruary 4.

XVII. A Letter frotn Dr. D u card , F. R. S,
and F. S. A, to Dr. William Watfon,
M. D. ai2d F. R. S. concernmg Chef nut
Lrees\ with two other Letters to Dr,
Du card, o?i the fame SubjeFL

Sir,

Read Mar. 8, "S' N a letter addreffed to you, on the
A ^rees which are fuppofed to be indi-
genous in Great Britain, puhidhed in the Philo-
fophicalLranfaSiiom'^ , the Hon. Mr. Dailies Barring-
ton has attacked a prevailing notion among the
learned ; that chefnut trees are the native produc-
tion of this kingdom. Mr. Barrington argues that
they are not; and his reafonings on this, are now to
be confidered.

In my Anglo-Norman Antiquities, p. 96. I had
obferved that “ many of the old houfes (in Nor-
mandy) when pulled down, are found to have a
great deal of chefnut timber about them ; as there
“ are not any forefts of chefnut trees in Normandy,
“ the inhabitants have a tradition, that this timber
“ was brought from England : and there are fome cir-
cumftances, which, when rightly confidered, will

* Vol. LIX. p, 23.
I

add

[ 137 3

“ add ftrength to this tradition } for many of the old
“ houfes in England are found to contain a great
deal of this kind of timber : feveral of the houfes
« in Old Palace Yard, Weftminfter, and in that neigh-
bourhood, which were taken down in order to
“ build Parliament and Bridge-ftreets, appeared to
“ have been built with chefnut j and the fame was
“ obferved with regard to the Black Swan Inn, in
“ Holborn, and many other old buildings lately
“ pulled down in different parts of England.” And
to this I had fubjoined the following account in a
note. “ Chefnut timber being at prefent rarely to be
“ found growing in the woods and forefts of Eng-
“ land, many perfons are induced to think that the
“ fweet chefnut was never an indigenous tree of this
‘‘ illand : but a little confideration will plainly evince,
“ that it always was, and is to this day, a native of
“ England. It is generally allowed, that all the
‘‘ ancient houfes in the city of London were built of
“ this timber. Certainly it did not grow far off j
“ and rnofl probably it came from fome forefts near
“ the town j for Fitz Stephens, in his defeription of
“ London, written in the reign of king Henry the
“ Second, fpeaks of a large and very noble foreft,
“ which grew on the North fide of it. Rudhall,
‘‘ near Rofs, in Herefordfhire, an ancient feat of the
family of Rudhall, is built with chefnut, which
“ probably grew on that eftate 5 for although no tree
of the kind is now to be found growing wild in
“ that part of the country, yet there can be no
“ doubt, but that formerly chefnuts trees were the
“ natural growth of the neighbouring wood lands,
fince we find that Roger earl of Hereford, founder
VoL. LXI. T of

[ 138 3

<< of the abbey of Flaxley, in Gloucefterfhire,
“ by his charter, printed in Dugdale’s monafticon,
“ tom. i. p. 884. gave the monks there, the tythe
“ of the chefnuts in the foreft of Deane, which is
“ not above feven or eight miles from Rudhall.
“ l"he words, are Singulis annis tot am dccimam cajla-
neariim de Dena. In the court before the honfe
“ at Haslev Hall, in VVorcefterfliire, the feat of
“ Lord Lyttelton, are two vaft fweet chefnut trees,
“ which feem to be at leaft two, if not three hun-
“ dred years old ; and Mr. Evelyn, in his Sylva, p.
“ 232. mentions one, of an enormous fize, at Tortf-
worth, in Gloucefterfhire, which hath continued
‘‘ a fignal boundary to that manor, from King Ste-
phen’s time, as it ftands upon record ; and which
“ tree is ftill living, and furrounded by many young
“ ones, that have come up from the nuts dropped
“ by the parent tree. Mr. Evelyn alfo affures us,
“ that he had a barn framed intirely of chefnut tim-
‘‘ ber, which had been cut down in its neighbour-
“ hood. In the foreft of Kent, adjoining to Sudex,
“ there dill remains feveral large old chefnut dubbs,
“ which were left by the woodmen as termini, or
“ boundaries, either of paridies, or private property.
“ Befides this, there are to this day, in the North
“ Ead part of Kent, feveral large woods, confiding
“ principally of chefnut trees and dubs. In the
“ paridi of Milton, near Sittingborne, is a manor
“ called Norwood Cadehey, otherwife Chedeney,
from its fitnation among chefnut woods, which
“ reach to the highway from London to Dover, and
“ give name to a hill between Newington and Sit-
tingborne, it being called Chefnut Hill, the chef-

“ nut

[ 139 ]

nut trees growing plentifully on each fide of it,

« and in woods round it for many miles. And
‘‘ by the particulars for leafes of crown lands in
“ Kent, temp. Eliz. Roll III. N° 8. now in the
‘‘ Augmentation ofEce, it appears that there is,

“ in the fame parifli of Milton, a wood containing
“ two hundred and feventy eight acres and a half,

“ called Chefton, otherwife Chefnut wood. To
“ conclude, my worthy friend, Edward Hafted, efqj
of Sutton atHone, near Dartford in Kent, F.R.S.

“ and F. S.A. affiures me that one of his tenants at
“ Newington, a few years lince grubbed up forty
“ acres of wood, which were intirely chefnut.”

In the very out-fet of the argument, Mr. Barring-
ton impofes upon himfelf, by changing the terms of
the queftion. “ Since you fent me, fays he to Dr.
“ Watfon, the fpecimen of fuppofed chefnut, which
“ was taken from the old hall of Clifford’s Inn, I
** have been at fome pains to examine the authority
“ for the prevailing notion, with regard to this be-
“ ing an indigenous tree” (p. 23.) — ^butin p. 24. he
fays, “ I fhall begin by confidejing the proofs, w'hich
“ are commonly relied upon to the Spa?tiJJ:> or fweet
“ chefnut being indigenous in Great Britain.” —
though not one word has preceded, though not one
word follows, of the Spanifh and the common chef-
nut being the fame. He then alledges, “ that the
“ very name of Spanifh, feems ftrongly to indicate
“ the country from which it was orignally introduced
** here” (p. 24.) This is furely a ftriking inflance
of an inaccuracy of language j the whole controverfy
between us turns only upon that which is commonly
called the chefnut tree, and which is therefore de-

T 2 nominated

[ *40 ]

*ommated Cajianea Vulgaris, by all the ancient Bo-
tanifts. It is To called by Dr. Johnfon in his Mer-
curius Botanicus: by the fame author, in his Iter
Cantianum-, and by Blackftone, in his Specimen Botani-
cum ; and in this true view of the controverfy, let
us examine the principal parts of it.

I have, Sir, in the abovementioned quotation, par-
ticularly noticed a large tradt of chefnut woods, to
continue to this day near Sittingborne, in Kent; in
oppofition to this, Mr. Barrington fays, that he has
taken a very minute infpeclion of thefe woods ; and
that, “ finding them planted In rows, and without
“ any fcattering trees to introduce them, he is con-
“ vinced that they are not natives.” (p. 27 and 28)
Such is the argument by which my aflertion is en-
deavoured to be fet afide.

I (hall not here enter into an examination of the
four general rules laid down by Mr. Barrington,
“ from which it may be decided, whether a tree is
“ indigenous or not in any country,” p. 23. That
I leave to the confideration of two of my particular
friends, who have entered into the Botanical reafons
produced by Mr. Barrington, and whofe letters to
me on this fubjedl are hereunto annexed. I con-
fine myfelf to the fadl. “ Remember, fays Dr. Plot
“ in his MS. ColleSlanea of Kent (in the library of
“ Edward Jacob, Efq; of Feverfham) the iron oar
“ fmelted in Chefnut wood, in the confines of Borden
“ and Newington.” Dr. Johnfon, in his Iter Cantia-
num, 1632, Ipeaks of the Cafanea Vulgaris inter
Sittingbourne et Rcchefler. And this Chefnut wood
is equally mentioned- as early as the 2 2d of Elizabeth,
under the title of ^icedam Sylm, vocata Chef encode x

C 141 ]

in a conveyance, which the reader may fee below (i).
This wood then is not very modern j and if ever it
was planted by any human hand, muft have been
planted two or three ages ago ; but it was certainly
never planted by any human hand ; the whole wood

(i) Ex. Orig. penes Edw. Jacob Arm. de Feverfliam, S.A.S.
Nov. 22, 1770. Stiant p’fent. et futur. q’** ego Georgius
ClyfForde, p’ochie de Bobbynge in com. Kane. ar. p’ quadam
pecunie fumma michi p’fato Georgio p’ Georgium Ffylmer p’
manibus folut. unde fateor me fore folut, et content, didtumq;
Georgium Ffylmer hcred. et exec, et admynyftr. fuos fore
exonerat, et acquietat. p’ p’fent. dedi conceffi vendidi et hac
p’fent, carta mea confyrmavi eidem Georgio Efylmer quinque
acr. ter. et bofe. five majus five minus feituat. jacen. et exiften.
in pochia de Borden in com. p’difto videl’t ad quandam filvam
ib’m, voc. Cheften woode verfus Weft ad ter,* Garret, gen’ j
verfus Southe ad ter. hered. Alexandr. Cottye ; verfus Eft ad
bofeu hered. Henrici Droumfylde i verfus Northe; Eft et Weft
ad bofeu Thome Pettenden, verfus North; H’end. et Tenend.
predidt. quinque acr. ter. et bofe. cum omnibus et fyngulis
fuis p’tin. p’fat. Georgio Ffilmer hered, et aflign. fuis ad opus
ct ufum ipfius Georgii Ffilmer hered. et aflign. fuor. imp’p’etu
Caplitib. d’no feodi p’ fervis inde eis prius debit, et de jur.
confuet. Et ego p’didf. Georgius Clyfford et hered. mei p’didf.
quinque acr. ter. et bofei cum omnibus et fingulis fuis p’tin.
p’fat. Georgio Ffilmer hered. et aflign. fuis contra omnes gentes
warrantizabimus et imp’petu defendemus p’ p’fentes. In cujus
rei teftimonium ego p’didlus Georgius Clyford huic p’fent. cart,
mee figillum meum appofui; dat. vicefimo odtavo die Mail anno
regni dne me Elizabeth dei gra’ Angl. Frauncie, ct Hib.
Regine fidei defenforis, &c. vicefimo fecundo.

Georgius Clyfforde, (L, S.)

Sealed and delivered
in the pre fence of

German Wake, &

Henry Whithead,

* Sic Orig,

covers

[ 1+2 J

covers more than three hundred acres of land. In
one part of Chefnut wood, upon the hanging banks
of Chefnut-ftreet, and in the way from Kay-ftreet to
Stockbury, are now the remains of large chefnut
trees and pollards, which w’ere plainly planted by
the bold irregular hand of nature.

I had alfo mentioned a grant (or rather a confir-
mation of a grant) made to the abbey of Flexeley,
which was the tithe of chelhuts in the forefi: of
Dean ; “ totam Decimam Cafianearum de Dena.”
But Mr. Barrington objedls to the fuppofition “ of
“ Dena, in the record, meaning the foreft of Dean,
“ as there are fo many places of the name of Dean
“ in the kingdom.” This however is furely an ob-
iedion of no weight. The Ciftertian abbey of Flexe-
ley, or Dene, was adually fituated in the foreft of
Dean (2), and was anciently called Flaxlyn abbey
of St. Mary de Dean (3). This abbey, together with
Dean Magna (alias Mitchell Dean), and Dean Parva,
all lie in the fame hundred with the foreft (the
hundred of Saint Briannell), and are included in the
ccciefiaftical deanery, called Foreft: where, therefore
can the Dene of Flexely be placed, but at the foreft
in which it was fituated, and from which it derived
half of its appellation ? And what pretence can a
Dene in Hampftiire, or a Dean in Lancaftiire, have
to a place in a record, which relates only to the
abbey of Saint Mary deDene, in the foreft of Dean?
But all fuch reafonings are unnecefiary : the point is
afcertained beyond the poffibility of a doubt, by
Henry the Second’s confirmation of the original

(2) Tanner’s Notitia, p. 147.

(3) Atkin’s Gloucefter&ire, p. 288. Edit. 1768.

7

grant,

[ H3 ]

grant, which may be feen below (4). The king, by
this record, confirms to the monks, locum qui dicitur

Flexleia

(4) Flexleyenfis Ahbatia, in agro Glouceftrenfi. Carta Henrici
Nortnannorum Ducis, Donatorum concefliones recitans
et confirmans.

H. D ux Normannije et comes Andegaviae archiepifc, &c. Salu-
tem. Sciatis me conceffilTe et confirmaffe Deo et Sandlae Marise,
et monachis ordinis Ciftercienfis, pro falute antecefforum meorum,
ct mea propiia, in elemofinam perpetuam, omnes illas dona-
tiones quas Rogerus Comes Herefordise eifdem monachis in
elemofmam dedit, juxta teftimonium cartarum fuarum, fcllicet,
locum quendam in valle Caftiart, quas dicitur Flexleia, ad con-
ftruendam abbatiam, et totam terram illam quae dicitur Wafla-
dene, quae fuit Walfrici, et quandam fabricam ferrariam apud
Edlandam, et totam terram fub veteri Caftello de Dena ad
fartandam, et illam quae elt aflartata, et quandam pilcariam
apud Redliam, quae dicitur Newerra, et quoddam pratum in
Pulmede, et omnia aifiamenta fua in forefta de Dena, et do-
minicum totum de Dimmoc, et terram illam quae fuit Uthredi
clerici, et terram Ernaldi, et terram Wolfrici, ita fcilicet, quod
ipfe Uthredus clericus remaneat in manu abbatis, cum efcambio
fuo, fcilicet duabus virgatis terras quod nemini inde refpondeat
nifi abbati ; et dimidium nemus apud Dimmoc ; et fingulis
annis totam decirnam Cajianearum de Dena^ et terram illam
quam adquietavic ipfe Comes Herefordiae de Gaufrido filio pre-
difli Wulfrici, et aliam quam ipfe Comes adquietavit de Lef-
frico, de Strattra. Quare volo, &c. Nos autem has proedidfas
donationes non tantum eis confirmo, fed etiam omnes alias
quas idem Rogerus Comes Herefordiae illis in elemofinam
datums eft. Teftibus Rogero Comite Herefordiae, Willielmo de
Crivecuer, Ricardo de Humet, Conftab. Philippo de Colum-
bariis, Roberto de Ivigum, Willielmo de Angervill, Willielmo
Cumin, apud Eveftiam.

Cart. Antiq. X. Num. 4.

Carta regis Henrici Secundi.

Henricus, Dei gratia, Rex Angliae, et Dux Normanniae et
Acquitannias, et Comes Andegaviae, Archiepifopis, &c. et
omnibus fidelibus fuis Anglis et Normannis, tarn prasfentibus,

quam .

[ *44 ]

Flexleia ubi ahh ati a f undata eji^ by the title of Locum
quendam in forejla de Lend, He afterwards goes on,

to

quam futuris, falutem, Sclatis me dedifle et confirmaffe Deo et
Beatx Mariae et Monachis meis de Dena, quos in propria pro-
tedlione fufcepi, pro falute mea et antecefforum meorum, in
elemofinam perpetuam, locum quendam in forefta de Dena,
videlicet, totam vallem de Caftiard, et locum qui dicitur Flex-
Icia, ubi abbatia fundata eft de ordine Ciftercienfi, in honore
bcatoe virginis Mariae, pro amore Dei, et pro anima regis Henrici
avi mei, et Comitis Gaufridi Andegaviae patris mei, et Matildis
• imperatricis matris meae, et aliorum parentum et anteceflforum
meorum, et pro falute mea, et haeredum meorum, et pro ftabi-
litate et pace regni Angliae. Conceffi etiam eis et confirmavi
omnes illas donationes quas Rogerus comes Herefordiae eifdem
in elemofinam dedit ficut cartae ejus teftantur. Praetcrea dedi
cis et confirmavi omnia aifiamenta in eadem forefta mea de
Dena, fcilicet pafturam juvencis fuis et porcis fuis, et omnibus
aliis pecoribus fuis, et ligna et materiem ad domos fuas et ad
aedificia fua facienda, et ad alias res ufui fuo neceflarias, fine
vafto in eadem forefta mea. Et de eadem forefta dedi eis
decimam cajianearum mearum^ et grangeam quae dicitur Wafte-
dena, et unam forgeam fcrrariam, ita liberam et quietam et
operantem, per omnia, ficut meae dominicae forgeae. Et totam
terram fub veteri caftello de Dene ad fartandam, et illam quae
eft aftartata; videlicet, centum acras, et quandam pifcariam
apud Reidleiam, que dicitur Nolwera, et quoddam pratum apud
Reidlciam, quod vocatur Pulmede ; fcilicet quatuor acras, et
terram quam illis dedit in elemofinam Lcuvericus de Staura, et
grangiam quam eis dedi apud Wallemere, de aflartis meis ;
videlicet, ducentas acras, cum pratis et pafcuis, et omnibus
aliis aifiamentis, et quatuor acras de Northwoda, et totam
dominicatum meum de Dimmoch, et quinque virgatas terrae
et dimidiam, prseter dominicatum, et dimidium nemus meum
de Dimmoch, et dimidium retium in manu mea, propter aifi-
amenta hominum meorum, ea fcilicet de caufa, ut monachi
mei habeant fuam partem nemoris in bene et in pace, et fine
omni communione aliorum hominum j et firmiter praecipio, ut
nullus eos fuper hoc inquietet. Praetcrea dedi eis eflartum quod-
dam fubtus Caftiard, quod vocatur Terra Vncentii. Hasc omnia

C 145 ]

to give them omnia afiamenta in eadem forejia mea de
Dend j and then he particularly fubjoins, et de eadem
forejia dedi eis Decimam Cajianearum meariim. Can
any words poffibly be more explicit than thele ? And
can Mr. Barrington aver againil the teftimony of an
authentic record? But, though the Dena of the re-
cord does mean the foreft of Dean, Mr. Barring-
ton has ftill an objedion in referve; and afferts that
“ there are not the leaft vefliges of any fuch trees in
“ this foreft at prefent.” (p. 29.) But is Mr. Bar-
rington fure there are no veftiges of chefunt trees
in the foreft ? Did Mr. Barrington infped: into every
part of this ample area ? And did no trees, no
flumps, no ftools, efcape his eye in this wide un-
bounded range ? But the fa£l appears otherwife.
There are not merely flumps, not merely flools, of
chefnut trees j but adual and abfolute trees of chef-
nut exifting at this day, in the foreft of Dean.

In a letter to me, dated Dec. 10, 1770, from
the Rev. Mr. William Crawley, refident at, and
minifter of Flaxley (uncle to Thomas Crawley
Bovey, Efq; the prefent owner -of Flaxley abbey) ;
is the following account : — “ In this very foreft and

near Flaxley is a parcel of land, about three or

dedi Deo et beatae Marlas et monachis meis Deo devote fervlen-
tibus, habenda et tenenda imperpetuum, foluta et quieta ab
omni reguardo et exa£lione feculari. Quare volo, &c. Teftc
Ricardo de Humet, Willielmo de Creveca, Philippo de Co-
lumbariis, Willielmo de An :ervi!l, apud Evefliam. (Monafticon
Anglicanum, Tom. I. p. 884).

Pat. 22 R. II. Dart 3. m. 16. per Infpex. Vide Cart, antiq.
N. N. 30. Et pat. 27 H, VI. par. I. m. 9.

VoL. Lxr. cj

four

[ 146 ]

four hundred acres, which is ftill denominated
chefnut : though neither chefnut, nor any other

“ kind of tree is to be feen there, excepting what
we call underwood or coppice, moftly hazel. In-
“ deed in many places of the foreft, I find chefnut
“ trees are (fparingly) to be met with ^ but within
“ a few yards of the above fpot, in a wood of my
“ nephew, are many of remarkable fine growth.’*
But, even if the fadl had been as Mr. Barrington hath
dated if, the faith of a record attefting the exiftence
of chefnut trees formerly, in the foreft of Dean, was
fjrely not to be fuperfeded by the non-exiftence of
fuch trees at prefent; they might have exifted former-
ly, though they do not exifl at prefent. And the
record explicitly allures us that they did exift, and
as early at lead as the reign of Henry the Second.

The chefnut tree, therefore, may dill claim a na-
tural relation to this ifland, notwithdanding the two
arguments of Mr. Barrington againd it : and if we
look into this kingdom, we fee the chefnut tree, not
confined to Sittingbourne woods, or to Dean foredj
but fcattered with a free hand, through many parts
thereof ; fliooting up with all the healthy vigour of
genuine natives, and giving denomination to feveral
places amongd us. Thus the chefnut wood of Sit-
tingbourne, has given the name of Chefnut-dreet,
to the neighbouring road ; and the old Saxon half
of the name. Street, drongly intimates the other half
to be very ancient. The appellation occurs in the
fird map, that notices the names of the, roads, the
map of Kent by Morden. In Hertford fbi re is a
town, called in old writings, Chedon, Chedhunte,
Shederhunte, and Cedrehunt j and Norden (in his

defcription

C H7 3

difcriptlon of Hertfordfliire, p. i 5,) fays, Cur non
(5^ Chep^in ? Caftanetum of ChelTe-nut trees ?

The Saxons were well acquainted with this tree,
and, according to Skinner and Lye, called it Cyprei
and Cypz-beam 5 the fame word evidently with our
prefent Chef-nut. Dr. Johnfon, in his Mercurius
BotanicuSy 1634, remarks the chefnut to have been,
not unfrequent in the woods, as well as in the plan-
tations, of his own times ; Cajianea Vulgaris in fyhis
non72ullis ef viridariis\ — Mr. Dale, in his Hijiory of
Harwich, mentions various chefnut trees to be grow-
ing in Stour wood, within the parifli immediately
adjoining to Harwich. Blackftone, in his Specimen
Botanicum, p. 12. fpeaks of chefnut trees growing
in (6) Bulwin woods, between Dartford and Bexley,
in Kent, plentifully j not twenty miles diftant from
London. Mr. Philipot, in his Villare Cantianum,
which was printed in 1659, P* ^37* “ There

is a manor, called Northwood Chafteners, which^N«.
“ name complies with the lituation ; for it ftands North
from the town, in a wood where chefnut trees
“ formerly grew in abundance.” “ The noble chef-
“ nut tree, lays Morton, (Northamptonfhire, p. 397.)
belonging to the Wordiipful Thomas Tryft, Efqj
of Marford, is the largeff of that kind I have any
where feen : the body of it is no lefs than fifteen
“ feet eight inches in circumference ; and it extends
its branches proportionably.” “ On the outfide of
“ the Roman Ration at Temple Brough, near Sheffield,

“ in Yorkfhire, fays Gibfon’s Camden, (Vol. II. p.

“ 847.) “ is a large bank, upon which are huge trees,
and upon the fide of the bank of the highway,

(3) Cheflin, (6) Now Baldwyn Woods.

XJ 2 there

[ 148 ]

“ there grew a chefnut tree that had fcarce any bark
“ upon it, but only upon Tome top branches which
bore leaves; it was not tall, but the bole could
“ fcarcely be fathomed by three men.” “ There was
“ (landing, fays Evelyn (in his Syha^ Fol. London,
“ 1706, p. 223.) an old and decayed chefnut at
“ Fraiting, in Elfex, whofe very ftump did yield
“ thirty fizeable loads of logs. 1 could produce you
“ another of the fame kind in Glouceftcrfhire, which
“ contains within the bowels of it, a pretty wain-
“ fcotted room, enlightened with windows, and
“ furniflied with feats, 6cc.” And to thefe we may
add two great chefnut trees flourifhing at Tortworth,
in Gloucefterihirc, and at Writtlepark, in Ellex ; the
former is allowed, even by Mr. Barrington, “ to be
“ the oldeft tree that we have any account of, per-
“ haps in Europe.” (p. 30.) And the following de-
fcription of both, was publiflied about twelve or
thirteen years ago {j)'y “ At the feat of the Lord
“ Dude, at Tortworth, in Gloucederfliire, there is
now growing an Englidi chefnut, which meafures
fifty one feet about, at the height of fix feet above
the ground. This tree divides itfelf, at the crown,
“ into three limbs, one of which meafures twenty
“ eight feet and half in the girt, and five feet above
“ the crown of the tree. The foil is a foft clay,
“ fomewhat loomy; the fituation is the North Weft
“ fide of a hill; this tree was filled, in King John’s
“ time, the great and old chefnut tree at Tortworth ;

“ fo it is fuppofed to be now above one thoufand
“ years old.”

(7) London Magazine, 1758, p. 48a.

“ There

[ 149 ]

“ There is another (lately chefnut (8), hut little
inferior to that at Torteworth, in Writtle park,
“ three miles to the left of Jngateflone, in Eh'ex.
The late Lord Petre meafured this tree, and found
it forty five feet girth, five. feet from the ground;
“ this vaft trunk fupports a lofty head, which, at a
“ difcance, affords a noble profpedt, and well de-
“ ferves to be furveyed by all that admire fuch
“ wonderful produ6lions.” At Little Wymondley,
near Hitchin, in Hertfordfliiie, is an old decayed
chefnut tree, the trunk whereof (meafured within
thefe two years) was found to be forty two feet cir-
cumference in one part, and forty eight feet in an-
other, as I am credibly informed. (9) And, to give
additional force to an argument which is already
decifive of itfelf, we may obferve, that in the New
Forefi, there are very many chefnuts irregularly fcat-
tered among the oaks and other trees j and now to
befeen in the road from Limington to Southampton.

In this great abundance of chefnut trees formerly
among us, we need not wonder that chefnut timber
was frequently ufed in old houfes, preferable to oak;
it was then the timber mod efteemed by our joiners
and carpenters. And, though very lading, yet it
has been juftly diferedited, in thefe later ages, for
houfes, becaufe, when it begins to decay, the con-
fumption commences at the core, and the heart is
the firft deftroyed. And we can produce fome

(8) In a News Paper, called The Citizen, or General Adver-
tizer. Sept. 21. 1758.

(q) This tree is iituate in the grounds, and near the houfe of
Little Wymondley Bury, late the eftate of Lord Grofvenor,
but purthafed within two or three years by Col. Cracherode.

[ >S0 ] • .

proofs, additional to the many that have been for-
merly produced, of chefnut timber adually em-
ployed in buildings. The old houfes in the city
of Gloucefter (as the Reverend Mr. Crawley in-
forms me that he has often been alfured) are
conftrudled of chehiut, derived alfuredly from the
chefnut trees in the foreft of Dean.” In many
of the oldeff houfes at Feverfliam is much genuine
chefnut, as well as oak, employed. In the nunnery
of Davington, near Feverilaam (now entire), the
timber conhfts of oak intermingled with chefnut.
And the great chefnut beam which fupported the
leads of the church tower at Feverfliam, when it
was lately taken down, was found rotted for many
feet at the extremity ; and had, as it were, a mere
fhell of found timber remaining about it.

Thus have I endeavoured, with all the refpedt due
to genius and truth, to point out fome of the mif-
takes into which, I apprehend, Mr. Barrington has
fallen. I might have dwelt more largely upon the
antiquarian part of my fubjeeft; but the botanical was
more immedtately my point. And in the exami-
nation of this, I have dievvn, that the chefnut tree
flouriflies greatly in this kingdom; that it appears
wildly fcattered over the face of the country ; that
it was adfually fettled among us many centuries ago ;
and ufed by cur anceftors in buildings; and that it
was even familiarly known to the Saxons. All thele
united evidences flrongly co-operate to prove it a na-
tive of this illand, and mud; abfolutely be allowed
to prove it, till Mr. Barrington, or fome other per-
ibn, can produce fuperior evidence to the contrary.

I beg

I

[ *51 ]

I beg leave to fubmit thefe obfervations to your
confiderations j and have the honor to remain.

S I R,

Your mod faithful

humble fervant.

Dbctors Commons,.
Jan. 5, 1771..

And. Coltee DucareL

XVIII. Copf

f

[ 152 ]

XVIII. Copy of Mr. Thorpe’s Letter to
Dr. Diicarel, concerning Chef nut Lrees,

Dear Sir,

flead March S, T T A VI N G perufed the Hon. Mr.

XTjL Barrington’s letter to Dr. Watfon,
publilhed in the Philofophical Tranfadions, I find
he lays down three or four general rules to determine
whether a tree is indigenous or not in any country,
as follows :

** t. They mufi: grow in large mafies, and cover
** confiderable trads of ground; nor mufi: fuch woods
“ end abruptly by a hidden change to other trees,
except the fuuation and ftrata become totally
different.

“ II, If the trees grow kindly in copfes, and
** (hoots from the ftool, it mufi: for ever continue in
“ fuch a wood, unlefs grubbed up, nor is it then
“ eafily extirpated.

“ III. The feed mufi ripen kindly ; nature never
“ plants but where a fucceflion may be eafily con-
“ tinued, and in the greatefi: profufion.

“ Laftly, many places in every country mufi: re-
ceive their appellation from indigenous trees, which
“ grow there, 6cc. When the inftanccs of this are

“ fingular.

3

C 153 ]

fingular, It will prove directly the contrary, as he
“ hopes to fliew with regard to the cbefniit, 6cc.”,

In anfwer to his objeftions, and agreeable to thefe
his forgeoing rules ; 1 ihall endeavour to prove the
cheinut to be an indigenous tree, in this illand ; and
ifl, Mr. Barrington fays, that he examined the
woods near Sittingbourn himfelf j “ and on a very
“ minute inlpedtion of them, found thofe parts which
confid; of chefnuts, to be planted in beds or rows,
“ about five yards diftant from each other ; nor are
“ there any fcattering trees to introduce them, &c/’

In what wood or woods, he obferved thefe plan-
tations, I mull confets, I am quite at a lofs to find,
having never obferved this regularity in any of the
woods 1 have been in ; and I very lately afked a per-
fon who has lived many years in that neighbourhood,
deals largely in timber and underwood, and is over all
thefe woods every year, who told me he knew of
no fuch regular plantations in any of them ; that the
chefnut grew intermixed with other trees, as in all
ancient woods.

Indeed, the amazing difiance of the plants from
each other, which Mr. Barrington mentions^ is fome-
what extraordinary ; as the ufual cuftom now, in
planting fets of chefnut or alh, for hop poles, is
about (even or eight feet difiance, as has been lately
done by John Cocking Sole, Efqj in his plantation
of chefnuts, at Newington.

Tne woods, called the Chefnut wo >ds, the pro-
perty of the Earl of Aylesford, which lie in the
parifiaesof Newington, Borden, and Bobbing, abound
vvith thele trees, which grow promifcuouily with
others, both from fiubs and fiools of a large fize j
VoL. LXI. X twenty

[ '54 ]

twenty acres of which are annually felled for poles,'
&c.

Cranbroke Wood, belonging to Mrs. Mercer, in
Newington, has the chelnut in plenty with other trees,
which produce poles in abundance, from old flubs
and flools.

The Squirrel Wood, the property of the Hon.,
Mr. Roper, in the parifh of Stockbury; thofe called
Long Tun and Binbury, contain plenty of chefnut,
intermixed with other trees, in which are very large
chefnut pollards ^ to appearance fome hundred years
Handing ; which grow on a poor foil, and are quite
hollow Hiells, having no nourifhment but from the
rind or bark ; yet throw out plenty of flioots from
the roots.

I have a farm in the parifli of Stockbury, called
Nettlefled, forty acres of which are tithe free, which
portion of tithes belonged to the great monaflery of
St. Auflin, fituated without the walls of Canterbury.
They were given in very ancient times to the ufe
of the almonary or almonry of that-abbey ; as far
back as the time of Archbilhop Walter, in the year
1193, how long before is uncertain, and are men-
tioned by William Thorn, a monk of that houfe, and
publiOied by Sir Roger Twifden, in the Decern Scrip-
tores ; part of thefe tithes are woodland, and to this
day called Almery or Ambry-Tanton.. In this wood
are very old flools of chefnut, fome of which are
ten feet circumference, and Hand promifcuoufly withi
oak, afh, and other trees. Thefe flools yet pro-
duce very good poles, which were felled once in my
father’s time, and have twice, fince they have been
in my poirefTion,.

In;

r *55 ]

In fliort, all that vaft range of woods, called Stock*
bury vallies, which extend from Key-ftreet to. Bin,-
bury Pound, produce the chefnut in common with
other trees ; the woods formerly belonging to the
abbey of Lefnes, founded by Richard dc Lucie, chan-
cellor and chief-juftice to Henry II. in the parUli of
Earith, ftill called the Abbey woods, having great
plenty of chefnut, both timber and ftub wood, and
from the humps and ftools of large timber trees
formerly felled, which ftools are now' quite hollow
and'decayed, except the outward bark or fhell, round
the crowns of which arife many ftools, and are cut
for poles at the pmper growth.

Church wood, in the fame parifti, has the likej
and many others in this neighbourhood.

In Wrotham parifh above Kemfing, is a wood
belonging to a farm, called Cottons, which has chef-
nut intermixed w'ith other trees.

I could enumerate many more In different parts of
this county, was it neceffary ; and I make no doubt,
on due infpeftion, the like may be found in other
counties of this kingdom: it is moft certain, the chef^
nut does not grow in every wood, but in fuch only,
where the foil is adapted to it. Different ftrata will
produce different trees ; as for example, the great
wood called Jordens, in the parifhes of Bexley and
North Cray, the woods beyond Ruxley towards
Farningham, have fome acres nothing but birch,
fome only hazel, &c. Godden-wood, in the parifti
of Seal, is intirely birch. The woods on the Cold
hills, of Chelsfield and Nockholt, run moft upon
beech; and thofe in the Weald of Kent, upon a
clayey foil, are chiefly oak,

X 2

In

C ^56 ]

In anfwer to the' third and laft genera! rule j that
the nuts of the chefnut tree ripen kindly, and in
great quantity, is manifen; from the numbers of poor
people at Earith, and the adjoining hamlet going
into the woods at the proper feafon, and gathering
fome a quarter, others three facks each, to fat their
hogs, elpecially when pulfe and grain are dear. It
is true, the nuts are not fo large as on trees which
Hand fingle and open to the fun, in parks, court?,
&c. Even the oak will not produce acorns in a
wood, till it becomes an old treej and then not fo
large and in fuch plenty as on old trees and pollards
which Hand open in fields and hedge rows. But
where the chefnut, as before obferved, Hands fingle
and planted for ornament, as in the Wildernefs park,
the feat of Mr. Prat, in Seal ; and in Bradbourn
park, the feat of Sir Roger Twilden, Bart, at EaH
Mailing, and divers other places, the nuts are large,
well tailed, and in great plenty, yielding excellent
food for the deer.

It is well known that trees clofe planted in orchards
will not produce fruit fo large and fair, as in kitchen
gardens, where they Hand fingle, are often digged
about, and manured.

Mr. Barrington himfelf fays. Dr. Watfon informed
him, “ that in Spain the chefnut trees deHined to
“ produce the bell fruit, are engrafted upon the
“ wild chefnut ; and that the French call the com-
“ mon fort Chataignier, and the improved one
“ Maronier,” If fo, the latter may be the fort which
are annually brought to England, and fold at all the
fruit Hiops, 6cc. and are called SpaniHi chefnut.
Mr. Barrington fa)S, “ the very name of SpaniHi,

“ fee ms

[ IS7 ]

feems moft ftrongly to indicate the country from
“ which this tree was introduced here.” But why
Spanifli? I do not know that it is any where here
lo called, and none of the wood-men know it by
that name. The old Botanical writer?, John Bauhine,
Gerhard, and Parkinfon, call it Calfanea Vulgaris.
Calpar Bauhine, in his Pinax, Callanea Sylveftris,
the conunon or wild chefnut tree. Ray indeed, in '
his Synoplis, the 3d Edit, publiflaed by Dillenius',
p. 449, has the following, “ in fylvis quibufdam prope
“ Siitmgburn Cantii oppidum, & Woburn Bedfordiae,
“ oblervavimus an fpontaneam, an olim ibi fatam, nef-
“ cimus.” It is fomewhat drange that fo celebrated
a Botanift fhould treat of it in fo flight a manner,
and with feemingly fo little attention, as to men-
tion it only in thofe two places.

Ladly, Mr. Barrington fays, ‘‘ that many places,
in every country, mud receive their appellation from
“ indigenous trees which grow there, 6cc.”

There are many trees which give few, if anv, ap-
pellation to places. It does not therefore follow that
they are not indigenous. In ancient time, England
abounded more in woods and foreds than at prefent ;
and the oak and alh being then two of the mod
common trees, occafioned the names of the conti-
guous places and paridies to receive their derivation.

Notwithdanding his trial of the fpecimens of oak
and chdnut, 1 am well adhred many old buildings
were, and are, of the latter j elpecially in places
where thefe trees dourifhed. When I repaired the
old houfe at Nettleded, in Stockbury, in fawing off
the end of the main girder, it was decayed at heart ;

and

C 158 ]

and pronounced by the furveyor and carpenter then
prefent to be chefnnt, as are the other timbers.

Cowded, a very ancient feat in the fame parlfh,
is intirely of that wood j and Dr. Stukely, in his
letter to the late Lord Hardwick, read at the Society
of Antiquaries, and fince publiihed in the Arch^o-
logia, p. 44. fays, “ the curious roof of the large hall
“ of the manlion houfe at Lefnes is of chefnut, which
no doubt was felled in the abbey woods there.”

In latter times, the feat called Mount Mafcal, in
the parilh of North Cray, rebuilt by Sir Comport
bitch, Bart, about lourfcore years lince, the girders
and large timber of which are, as I am well in-
formed, of chefnut felled in the woods adjoining.

And why (hould it not have been iifed in build-
ings, feeing it is very durable, and grows to a great
lize ? witnefs the tine trees felled lad fummer, to-
gether with fome oak and beech, in the park of
Penlhurd in this county ; poHibly in length of time,
the charatderidick of the chelnut trees decaying
Inwardly, might be the reafon of the oaks being
modly ufed, as the more durable timber j and the
, former found to turn to better account for under-
wood and poles; elpecially when hops came into ufe
in Henry tlte Eighth’s time, and are the bed for that
purpole. Even oak, by reafon of its fcarcity and
dearnefs, is now little ufed in publick buildings ; fir-
timber altogether fupplying its place.

The chefnut tree yet alive in the court at Tort-
worth, in Gloucederlhire, fuppofed by Evelyn and
Bradley to have been planted in the time of King
John, may poifibly be the olded tree of the kind
extant in this kingdom ; but is no proof of there

not

I

[ 159 ]

not being chefnut trees before that time : Any more
than the famous tree called Bears oak, in the park at
Penfhurfl; abovementioned ; or the well-known tree
called Filher’s oak, in the parifh of Farnborough,
in this county ; or that in Welbeck park, the feat of
the Duke of Portland, were .fome of the firft trees
of that kind here planted j the fituation and orna-
ment of thefe trees protected them from the axe.

The common elm, Evelyn thinks not to be an
indigenous tree, and it may not as it is feldom, if
ever, found growing in woods ; but in road ways,
hedge rows, &c. j and not in the North of England,,
though, as Mr. Ray obferves, fome trees are only
found in the North, fome in the South, and others
in the Weft j neither does the elm, when an old tree,
flioot kindly from the ftool.

I agree with Mr. Barrington, that the box tree is
an exotick j buf theyewis certainly indigenous, as
I think may be eafily proved, and which he affents
to, but doubts whether the euonymus or fpindle tree,
and liguflrum or privet, are fo ; moft certainly they
are, as no flirubs are more common on dry banks,
and in hedges, &c. ; but, as he alligns no reafon for
their not being indigenous, I fhall dwell no longer
on that fubje(3-, and conclude.

Dear Sir,

Your moft humble fervant,-

Bexley,

Nov. . z6. 1770.

J. Thorpe.

XIX. Jixtra6p

[ '6o ]

XIX. RxiraB of a 'Letter from Edward
Hafted, Efq-, F. R. S. and F. S. A, to
Dr. Ducarelj concerning Chefnut Frees.

Dear Sir,

Read March 8, jsj anfwer to *Mi*. B’s I ft rule — I
A muft remark, inftances are exceeding
frequent of woods and coppices breaking off, by a
fudden change, to other trees, and that where the
fiutation and ftrata are entirely the fame ; fometimes
without any mark of divifion, and fometimes with
a ditch only, an old ftnb for a boundary, or per-
haps diftinguithed only by the difference in the
growth of the underwood, or the like. It is a
known facff, that particular forts of frees have grown
in large traffs and maftes in a country, which have
been in fucceeding times almoft extirpated from
thence, either from others being more diligently en-
couraged and preferved, or from the prelent deilruc-
tive method of too frequent cutting them down ;
and only fcattered ftubs or trees have remained of
the fort, thinly difperled in woods and hedges. The
wich, elm, maple, and others, are indigenous trees ;
and yet feldom, if ever, grow in large maffes, or
cover confiderable trads of ground; the reafon of
3 which

[ i6i ]

which is, they never fhoot from the ftool fo as to
make any confiderable progrefs.

As to the 2d — A tree, or particular wood, may
grow very kindly in a coppice, and yet in procefs
of time, by the continual felling of the wood, may
be entirely worn out, when other forts, which bear
the woodman’s cutting-bill more kindly, will increafe,
and overrun the former, fo as to fill every vacancy
made by it. Befides, there are fome kinds of wood
which are poifoned, and in time decay by the near
affinity of others. The afli is a particular infiance
of this poifonous quality towards other trees.

As to the 3d rule of feeds ripening kindly j I
mufi difagree in this too, as I find very few, if any,
whether indigenous or not, whofe feeds do not ripen
here fufiicient to continue the tree eafily ; and where
it is not in profufion, the indigenous tree will be
found as deficient as fome others, which are known
to be otherwife.

Mr. B’s lafi rule, of places taking their name from
indigenous trees which grow there, may ferve as
well to prove all trees whatfoever fo : there being
but few trees which have grown in Britain, but our
very ingenious etymologifis have derived the names
of fome places from them. — Singular infiances, I
own, I do not recolleft.

All kinds of things in general adopt the name of
that country where they grow, or are made in the
greateft perfection. — Infiances of this are obvious in
every neceflary of life. The chefnut, whofe fruit
ripens in Spain in much more perfedtion than in
this variable and colder climate, has gained the addi-
tional name of Spanifii to it, among the merchants

VoL. LXL. Y and

C 162' 1

i^nd venders of them, though in the country villages
the woodmen will yet talk of the growth of this
right English Chesnut, And as to Pliny’s telling
‘us that chefnuts were brought from Sardis to Italy
long before his time ; that does not make it leis
probable that they might have been the growth of
Brita.n, at the very time they were brought from
thence to Rome.

The ancient Norman buildings are moftly of
this wood, wdiich in all probability was fetched from’
this country ; moft of the ftone wherewdth our mo-
nafteries and buildings of fuch lort were erected
came from Normandy. This feems to have been a
mutual traffick for fome centuries between the two
countries.

How the notion arofe fird, that the fored rnen-
tioned by Fitz-Stevens to the Northward of London,
was modly of chefnut, I do not know, nor could I
ever find any authority for it; though it continues the
afiertion of moh literary men. If I might conjedure,
I fliould think it to have arifen from a blunder and
miftake of the name of Norwood ; there being
many decayed flubbs of chefnuts in the archbifliop
of Canterbury’s Norwood, not far from London ;
which is, no doubt, the place Mr. Miller means,
when he mentions fuch having been fcen in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis.

Mod antiquarians affert that Old London was built
of chefnut : that this tree grew near London, has
been proved above from Norwood, and may from the
name of Chefhunt, in Hertfordlbire ; that it may
have done fo in former times in great plenty, might
be fuppofed from what I have faid before j but one
I reafon

[ 1^3 ]

reafon of its decay may be afllgned to the great in-
Greafe of the metropolis, which confumed moft of
the chefniit timber near it; and the dubbs of fuch
beiiag much fubjedl to decay, few, if any of them,
could naturally lafl; to this time, fo as to bring any
profit to the owner, but have been grubbed up from
time to time, till they are now almoft totally era-
dicated; and I think, there is great probability that
the univeiTal decay and deftrudtion of this kind of
timber, throughout the realm, appeared in fo ferious
a light to the legiflature, as to give the firff rife for
our laws for the prefervation of timber in general.

Oak timber is fo entirely different from chefnut,
in the rings and fpaces, which appear when cut
tranfveriely, that it is impoflible to miftake the one.
from the other.

In a note, p. 96. of the Anglo-Norman anti-
quities, mention ia made, of a large tradt of chefnut
woods, near Sittingbourne, in Kent (and in the North
Weft part of Eafl Kent,- as it fliould be printed);
which is certainly right ; thefe woods are a very large
tradl, which more or lefs have chefnut flubbs fpread-
over the whole fpace of them. They extend fomc
miles, from the environs of the town of Milton,,
by the old highway (now difufed), leading from,
thence to Maidftone. The general name of the-
whole tradf, is Chefnut or Cheflney Woods. Tiie
40 acres mentioned in the laid note to have been!
grubbed up, were only felled; and were of fuch a
lize and growth, as to be moftly ufed as timber. On;
the top of Chefnut Hill between Newington and^
Sittingbourne, there ftood a chefnut tree of prodigi-
ous fize, which has been felled within thefe few

Y. 2 years, >

C ]

years, the ftool of which may now be feen clofe to
the high road.

The produdion of nature in this vaft tradl of
woods is fo plain, that it would be abfurd to ufe
arguments to defend it; nor fliall I bring examples
of it from other countries, which might be had : I
Hiall only take notice, with Dr. Ducarel, that in the
ancient forefts of Kent , which lay to the fouth of
it, adjoining to Suffex and Surry, there remain
large old chefnut flubs or brocks, now almoft worn
out, and peridied, which are left by the woodmen
as termini or boundaries, either of pariflies or of
private property ; which is the univcrfai cuflom every
where made ufe of to didinguifli the wood of dif-
ferent owners, and are never cut down or altered;
fo that they mufl have flood facred to this ufe, from
the firfl introdudfion of private property into this
ifland ; and were no doubt even then of confde-
rable age, by their being made choice of for this
ufe, in preference to any others.

But to return to the neighbourhood of Milton. —
The manor of Norwood, within that parilh, is called,
in the highcfl records we are acquainted with, Nor-
wood-Cheflney, Chaflney, and Caflney, no doubt
from the great plenty of chefnut within its bounds,
even in thofe early times. Nor is this a hngular in-
flance of any place in England being named from
the chefnut tree ; Chefliunt, in Suffolk ; and Chefliunt,
in Hertfordfhire, having both their names from the
plenty of chefnuts near them : the lafl of thefe

places. Chancy tells us, feems in old time to have
abounded with them ; and that mofl of the ancient
houfes in that vill were built of them; and in the ve-
nerable

[ 1^5 ]

nerable book of Doomfday, we have an account of a
quantityof woodland in this parifh, fufficient for the
feeding of 1200 hogs, which fliews us that this
conliderable tradt of wood was of fuch fort, as to
afford plenty of good food for fwine; as it certainly
muft be to afford pannage for fo large a number ;
and that thefe woods were chefnuts, may in all pro-
bability be prefumed from the above circumflances.

The fame venerable record llkewife mentions the
village of Box, alias Boxbury, in Hertfordiliire ;
which, the learned Serjeant tells us, was fo called
from a large wood, which retains the name to this
day ; and I have now before me the names of more
than a dozen parifhes and places, which have taken
their names from the box tree, and retain it to this
time. The fir, no doubt, from every evidence that
can be had of former times, and by the evidence
of our own eyes, from the numbers of them which
have been dug up in almoft every part of Britain,
was an indigenous tree of this county; notwith-
flanding Caefar’s affertion to the contrary, who ap-
pears to have been but little acquainted with it,
when he tells us, “ this ifland had every kind of
“ tree the fame as Gaul, except the fir and the
“ beech both of which were in the greateft plenty
here at that very time ; the latter was particularly
fo within the county of Kent, the only fpot he
might be faid to be acquainted with : and yet, after
this, no one fure will affert that either of thefe trees
are not indigenous ; though the former of them is
entirely extirpated (as the produdlion of nature) from
the Southern part of Britain, which the chefhut is
not; though it is made ufe of as an argument againft

its

[ i66 ]

its being the natural product of this country. The
elm bears every mark of its being indigenous j and,
according to one of Mr. B’s general rules, it muft
be fo, for there are near 40 places in England, which
take their name from this tree, mod; of which are
mentioned in the book of Doomfday.

Whoever has been much acquainted with the
woods and tracts of ground lying on our Chalky
Hills, will furely never contend that the yew is not
the indigenous growth of this country. l am.

Dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

Huntmgfield, in Kent,,
Nov. 29, 1770.

Edw. HafledL

[ 1^7 ]

XX. jd Letter from the Hon. Daines Bar-
rington, F.R.S. to Mathew .Maty, M.D.
Sec, R. S. occafioned hy the three precede
ing Letters.

Dear Sir,

February 15, 1771.

Read March 8,
1771.

HAVE lately had an opportunity of
peruhng three letters from Dr. Du-
carel, Mr. Thorpe, and Mr. Hafted, which con-
tend that the fweet chefnut is an indigenous tree
of this country, and which are intended to be com-
municated to the Royal Society.

As I do not fee any reafon for altering the opinions
which I have happened to form on this fubjedt, from
what is contained in thefe three letters, I fhould not
trouble the Society with any anfwer to the contents
of them, did not Mr. Thorpe contradidt, on the
teftimony of another perfon, what I have afferted
I was an ocular witnefs of.

I mufi: therefore a fecond time repeat, that the
chefnut woods near Newington, in Kent, are planted
in rows at four or five yards diftance (other trees often
intervening) ; and for a proof of this fad, I refer
Mr. Thorpe to the woods on the North Eaft of the

church }

[ i68 ]

church* ; as alfo the wood to the eastward of the
great road to Canterbury, immediately after you
leave the town of Newington.

I fpent very near a whole day in the examination
of thefc woods ; but I would more particularly re-
fer to the two chefnut plantations above fpecified,
as they were juft then fhooting from the ftools,
when I took this very minute view of them.

1 have already faid, that I am willing to leave the
point in controverfy, upon what hath been advanced
on the one fide, and on the other.

I will only beg leave to ftate a fingle obfervation,
together with what Teems to be an inference that is
fairly deducible from it, and which is applicable to
any difputes, with regard to trees being of native
growth, or otherwife.

I believe I may fay, that I have been* almoft
in every corner of the twelve Welfh counties ; and
never faw a beech tree in any of them, which had
the leaft pretence to be indigenous.

I will fuppofe, however, that a wood of any
given number of acres, with beech in it, was found
in the central part of the principality ; and that thefc
trees were not planted in rows (as at Newington
and Sittingborne) ; but difperfed, as happens in other
indigenous woods.

Could it poffibly be contended, that fuch beech
trees had not been introduced by fome planter j
notwithftanding it might be proved to be a wood
of great antiquity ?

^ I think, I can depend upon my memory fo far, as to fay
that the chefnuts I have alluded to, are at the North Eaft of the
church j but at all events, they are very near to it.

3

C 169 ]

If this was infifted upon, it muft at the fame
time be conceived, that when the beech mart was
wafted by>^ the wind to fuch a moft feleded fpot,
fome preternatural caufe mini; have preveated its
being Town in any intermediate place.

I am, Dear Sir,

Your moft faithful

humble fervant.

Daines Barrington.

Tol.. LXL

z

XXL Jn

C *70 ]

Received November 15, 1770.

XXL An Accoufit of the Nyl-ghau^ a7t
Indian Animal^ not hitherto defer ih ed :
By William Hunter, Af. D, F, R, S.

Read Feb. 28, A MONG the rlches which, of late
*77 »• years, have been imported from

India, may be reckoned a fine animal, the Nyl-ghau j
which, it is to be hoped, will now be propagated in
this country, fo as to become one of the mofl ufeful,
or at lead one of the mod ornamental beads of the
field. It is larger than any ruminant of this country,
except the ox ; its flefli probably will be found to be
delicious ; and, if it fhould prove docile enough to
be eafily trained to labour, its great fwiftnefs, with
confiderable drength, might be applied, one would
think, to valuable purpofes.

Good paintings of animals give much clearer ideas
than deferiptions. Whoever looks at the pidure,
which was done under my eye, by Mr, Stubbs, that
excellent painter of animals (fee Tab. V.), can never
be at a lofs to know the Nyl-ghau, wherever he
may happen to meet with it. However, I fliall at-
tempt a defeription of the animal ; and then give as
much of its hidory as I have been hitherto able to
learn. The account will be imperfed : yet it will
give naturalids fome pleafure in the mean time to

know

.

i

C *71 ]

know even a little of a large and elegant animal*
which has not hitherto been defcribed, or painted.

At firft fight, the male Nyl-ghau flruck my ima-
gination with being of a middle nature, between
black cattle and deer; fuch an animal as we might
fuppofe a mule would be, that was the produce of
thofe two fpecies of hearts. In fize, it is as much
fmaller than the one, as it is larger than the other :
and in its form there is a very apparent mixture
of refemblance to both. Its body, horns, and tail,
are not unlike thofe of a bull ; and the head, neck,
and legs, are very like thofe of deer.

Colour. The colour, in general, is arti, or grey,
from a mixture of black hairs and white : moft of
the hairs are half white, and half black ; the white
part is towards the root. The colour of its legs is
darker than that of its body ; the fame thing may
be faid of its head, with this peculiarity, that there
the darker colour is not general and uniform, but
fome parts are almort quite black. In fome parts to
be mentioned hereafter, the hair is of a beautiful
white colour.

Trunk. The height of the back, where there is
a flight eminence over the flaoulder-blade, is four
feet and one inch ; at the highert part, immediately
behind the loins, it is only four feet. The general
length of the trunk, as feen in a fide view, from the
root of the neck to the pendulous tail, is about
four feet ; which is nearly the height of the animal j
fo that, in a fide view, when it ftands with its legs
parallel, its back and limbs make nearly three fides

7j z of

C 172 ]

of a fquare, and the ground upon which it flands
makes the fourth.

Round the body, immediately behind the flioulder,
it nieafurcs four feet and ten inches; and a little
more juft before the hind-legs ; but this laft dinien-
iion, no doubt, will vary confiderably, as it happens
to be more full or empty of food and drink.

Hair. The hair on the body In general is
thinner, more briftly, and ftronger, than on our black
cattle. On the belly, and upper part of the limbs,
it is longer and fofter than upon the back and fides.

Mane. All along the ridge or edge of the neck
and back, as far as the poftcrior part of the hump
which is over the ftioulder-blades, the hair is blacker,
longer, and more eredl; making a ftiort, and thin,
upright mane.

The umbilical and hypogaftric regions of the
belly, the infide of the thighs, and all thofe parts
which are covered by the tail, are white. The^r<2?-
putiutn penis is not marked with a tuft of hair; and
the ftieath of the penis projeds very little.

Testicles. The tefticles are oblong and pen-
dulous, as in a bull.

Tall. The bones of the tail come down to
within two inches of the top of the os calcis. The
end of the tail is ornamented with long black hair,
and likewife with feme white, efpecially on the in-
fide. On the infide of the tail, except near its ex-
tremity, there is no hair; and on the right and

left

C *73 ]

left there is a border of long white hair, which
makes it on the infide look like a feather.

Legs. The legs are fmail in proportion to their
length j more fo than in our black cattle, and rather
lefs fo than in our deer. The length of the fore-
leg is a little more than two feet and feven inches.
There is one white fpot on the fore part of each
foot, almoft immediately above the large hoofs j and
another fmaller white fpot before the fmall hoofs :
above each of the fmall hoofs, there is a remark-
able tuft of long white hair, which turns round
in a flat curl. The large hoofs of the fore-leg,
are of an awkward length. This was very .obfer-
vable in every one of the five individuals of this
fpecies which I have feen ; yet it was fufpedfed to
be the effedl of confinement; and the examination
of the hoof, in the dead animal, proved that it was
fo. *

Neck. The neck is long and flender, as in deer ;
and when the head is raifed, it has the double turn
of the Italic letter S. At the throat, there is a flaield-
like fpot of beautiful white hair; and lower down,
on the beginning of the convexity of the neck, there
is a mane-like tuft of long, black hair.

Head. The head is long and flender. From
the horns, it rifes upwards and backwards to join
the neck. Its length, from the horns only to the
point of the nofe, is about one feet two inches and
three, quarters.

Nose»

I

[ *74 ]

Nose. The partition between the noftrils was
artificially perforated for fixing a cord, or bridle, ac-
cording to the Eaftern cuftom of tying up or lead-
ing horned cattle. The noftrils are very long, in a
diredion almofi; parallel to the mouth, and are widefi:
at their anterior end.

Mouth. The riSlm orh is long ; and as far as
this reaches, the lower jaw is white : fo is the up-
per lip, as far as the noftril.

Teeth. There are fix grinders in each fide of
each jaw, and four incifor teeth in each half of the
lower jaw. The firfl; of the incifors is very broad ;
and the reft fmaller in gradation, as they are placed
more outwards or backwards.

Eyes. The eyes in general are dark coloured ;
for all of the conjunBiva that can be commonly feen
is of that complexion. In an oblique or fide view,
the cornea^ and all that is feen through it, is blue,
like burnilhed fteel. The pupil is oval, or oblong,
from fide to fide ; and the irii is almoft black.

Ears. The ears are large and beautiful, above
feven inches in length, and fpread to a confiderable
breadth near their end. They are white on their
edge, and on their infide ; except where two black
bands mark the hollow of the ear with a zebra-like
variety.

Hgrns. The horns are feven inches long; they
arc fix inches round at their root, and growing

fmaller

3

[ 175 ]

fmaller ty degrees, they terminate in a blunt point.
At their root they have three flattened fides, divided
by fo many angles : one of the angles is turned for-
wards, and confequently one of the fides backwards.
This triangular fhape is gradually lefs perceptible
towards the extremity. At the root there are flight
circular wrinkles, in proportion to the age of the
animal. The body and point of the horn is fmooth,
and the whole of a very dark colour. They rife up-
wards, forewards and outwards at a very obtufe angle,
with the forehead or face. They are gently bended,
and the concavity is turned inwards, and a little
forewards. The diftance between them at the roots
is three inches and a quarter, at the points fix inches
and a quarter, and at their moft hollow middle parts
lefs than fix inches.

Food. It eats oats, but not greedily; is fonder
of grafs and hay * ; but is always delighted with
wheat bread. When thirfty, it would drink two
gallons of water.

D UNG. Its dung is in the form of fmall round
balls, of the fize of a nut-meg; and it pafTes a
quantity of thefe together, with a rufhing found.

Manners. Though it was reported to have
been exceedingly vicious, it was in reality a moft
gentle creature while in my cuftody, fcemed pleafed
with every kind of familiarity, always licked the

* General Carnac informs me, that no hay is made in India;
their horfes are fed with grafs frefh cut, and a grain of the
pulfe^ kind, called Gram.

hand

[*76]

hand which either ftroaked, or gave it bread, and
never once attempted to Life its horns ofFenfively. It
leemed to have much dependance on it’s organs of
fmdl, and fnuffed keenly, and with noife, when-
ever any perfon came within fight. It did fo like-
wife when any food or drink was brought to it ; and
w'as lb ealily offended with a fmell, or fo cautious,,
that it would not tafte the bread which I offered,
when my hand had touched oil of turpentine or
fpirits

Its manner of fighting is very particular : it was
obferved at Lord Clive’s, where two males were put
into a little inclofiire ; and it was related to me by his
Lordfhip, thus : While they were at a confidera-
ble diftance from each other, they prepared for the
attack, by falling down upon their fore-knees ; then
they Ihuflied towards each other with a quick pace,
keeping ffill upon their fore-knees, and wdien they
were come wnthin fome yards, they made a fpring,,
and darted againft each other.

All the time that two of them were in my ffable,
I obferved this particularity, viz. that whenever any
attempt was made upon them, they immediately fell
down upon their fore-knees i and fometimes they

* General Carnac, in fome obfervations which he favoured
me with upon this fubjedf, fays, “ All of the deer kind have
‘‘ the fenfe of fmelling very exquifite.. I have frequently ob-
“ ferved of tame deer, to whom bread is often given, and
which they are in general fond of, that if you prefent them
a piece that has been bitten,, they will not touch it. I have
“ made the fame obfervation of a remarkable fine ftie-goat,.
“ which accompanied me, moft of my campaigns in India; and
“ fupplied me with milk, and which, in gratitude for her fer-
vices, i brought from abroad with me.”

would)

[ 177 ]

would do fo when I came before them i but, as they
never darted, I fo little thought this pofture meant
hoftility, that I rather fuppofed it expreffive of a
timid or obfequious humility

Female. The Female differs fo much from the
Makt that w^e fhould fcarcely fuppofe them to be the
fame fpecies. She is much fmaller, both in height
and thicknefs. In her fhape, and in her yellowifh
colour, Ihe very much refembles deer; and has no
horns. She has four nipples, and is fuppofed to go
nine months with young. She commonly has one
at a birth, and fornetimes twins.

The young male Nyl-ghau is like the female in
colour, and therefore like a Fawn.

Species. When a new animal is prefented to
us, it will often be difficult, and fornetimes impof-
fible, to determine its, ijaecies, by the external cha-
radlers alone. But when fuch an animal is diffedted
by an anatomift, who is a mafler in comparative

■* The intrepidity and force wi'h which they dart againll
any objedf may be conceived from the following anecdote, of
the fineft and largeft of thofe animals that has ever been feen in
England. The violence which he did to himfelf, was fuppofed
to occafion his death, which happened foon after. A poor la-
bouring man, without knowing that the animal was near him,
and therefore neither meaning to offend, nor fufpedfing the
danger, came up near to the outfide of the pales of the in-
clofure ; the Nyl-ghau, with the quicknefs of lightening, darted
againft the wood work, with fuch violence, that he broke it to
pieces; and broke off one of his horns clofe to the root. From
this piece of hiftory and farther inquiry, I was fatisfied that
the animal is vicious and fierce in the rutting feafon, how-
ever gentle and tame at other times.

VoL. LXI. A a

anatomy,

[178]

anatomy, the queftion is commonly to be decided
with certainty.

From the external marks alone, I fufpeifted, or
rather believed, the Nyl-ghau to be a peculiar and
diftindt fpecies. Some of my acquaintance thought
it a deer. The permanent horns convinced me that
it was not. Others thought it an antelope. The
horns, and the fize of the animal, made me fufped:
that it was not^ It had fo much of the lhape of
deer, efpecially the female, that I could not fup-
pofe it to be of the fame fpecies with our black
cattle.. In rutting time, one of the males was put
into a paddock with a female of the red- deer : but
nothing like attradfion or attention was obferved be-
tween them. At length, in confequence of tlie
death of one of them, I was afllired by my brother,
who didedted it, and who has diire<5led with great
attention almod every known quadrupede, that the
Nyl-ghau, is a new fpecies

History. Of late years feveral of this fpecies,
both male and female, have been brought to Eng-
land. The firft were fent from Bombay, by Gov.
Cromelen, as a prefent to Lord Clive : they arrived in
Auguft 1767. They were male and female, and
continue to breed every year. Afterwards two were
brought over, and prefented to the Q^en by Mr.
Sullivan. From her Majefty's delirc to encourage
every ufeful or curious enquiry in natural knowledge,

* Mr. Pennant, whofe love of natural hiftory heightens the en-
joymenit cf an insdependent fortune, in his &ynopfts, publifbecl
Jince thfe paper was written, claifes this animal (IVhite-footedy
p. 2^.) as a fpecies of the Antilap^i but he now thinks it
Wlongs to aaothet GVwzif, aad will clafa It accordingly in hia
a«£t editiou.

1 was

t *79 ]

I was permitted to keep thefe two for fome time ;
which enabled me to defcribe them, and to get a cor-
redt pidture made; and, with my brother’s affiftance to
difTedt the dead animal, and preferve the (kin and
fkeleton. Lord Clive has been fo kind to give me
every help that he could furnifli me with, in making
out their hiftory j fo has General Carnac, and fome
other gentlemen.

At all the places in India, where we have fettle-
ments, they are rarities, brought from the diftant in-
terior parts of the country, as prefents to Nabobs
and great men. Lord Clive, General Carnac, Mr.
Wallh, Mr. Watts, and many other gentlemen,
who have feen much of India, tell me they never
faw them wild. So far as I have yet found, Bernier
is the only author who has even mentioned them
In the 4th Vol. of his Memoires, he gives an account
of a journey which he undertook, ann'. 1664, from
Delhi, to the province of Cachemire, with the Mo-
gul Aurengzeb, who went to that terreftrial paradife,
as it is efteemed by the Indians, to avoid the heat
of the fummer. In giving an account of the hunt-
ing, which was the Emperor’s amufement in this
journey, he defcribes, among others, that of le Nyl^
ghau } but without faying more of the animal, than

* Since the reading of this paper, I have received the fol-
lowing information from Dr. Maty. In the fourth Volume
of Valentyn’s defeription of the Eaft Indies, publifticd in Low
Dutch, 1727, under the article of Batavia, p. 231, I find
amongft the uncommon animals kept at the caftle, this (hort
indication, “ There was a beaft, of the fize and colour of a

Danifh ox, but lefs heavy, pointed towards the mouth, afli-
“ grey, and not lefs than an Elk, who^e name he bore.” It
was a prefent from the Mogul.

A a 2

that

[ i8o ]

that the Emperor fometimes kills them in fucli
numbers, as to diflribute quarters of them to all his
Omrachs; which fliews that they were there wild,
and in plenty, and efteemed good or delicious food.

This agrees with the rarity of thefe animals at
Bengal, Madrafs, and Bombay : for Cachemire is the
moft northern province of the Empire ; and it was
on the march from Delhi to that place, that Bernier
faw the Emperor hunt them.

Name. The word Nyl-ghau^ for thefe are the
component letters correfponding to the Perhan, though
pronounced as if it were written NeeUgaw^ fignifies
a blue cow, or rather a bull, Ga%v being mafeuline ;
and the male animal of that name has a good title
to the appellation, as well from the likenefs he bears
in fome parts to that fpecies of cattle ; as from
the bluifh tindt which is very difcernible in the
colour of his body; but this is by no means the
cafe with the female, which has a near refemblance,
as well in colour as in form, to our red deer. The
Nyl-ghaus which have been brought to England
have been moft, if not all, of them received from
Surat or Bombay ; and they feem to be lefs uncom-
mon in that part of India, than in Bengal ; which
gives room for a conjedture that they may be indi-
genous perhaps in the province of Guzarat, one
of the moft Weftern and moft conftderable of the
Hinduftan empire, lying to the Northward of Surat,
and ftretching away to the Indian ocean,

A gentleman * who has been long in India, and
has an extenfive acquaintance there, has written to

General Carnac, who likew-fe favoured me with the pre-
cedinji article uoon the oasne of the ajiicnal.

his

[ ]

bis friends, to collect all the intelligence they can
poffibly procure concerning this animal ; and in
the courfe of the next year, fome fatisfadory in-
formation may. perhaps be received from thence,
though the natives of that country, he fays, have -
no turn whatever after natural hilfory; and in-
deed are very little • inquilitive after any kind of-
knowledge,.

XXII. Ob^

[ ]

XXII. Obfervations on the Aphides of Lin-
naeus, by Dr, William Richardfon, of
Ripon, Yorkfhire : Communicated by

William Heberden, M. D» F,R, S,

Read Mar. 14, he learned Limcetis "by his un-

wearied application having reduced
the various produdions of nature into one regular
fyftem, and clearly diftinguidied the numerous tribe of
infeds into their diftind clafTes and fubdivihons, feems
to me to have laid a more folid foundation for the
natural hiflory of thefe minute animals, than any
other writer who has gone before him. Difficult,
however, as it is to lay fo firm a foundation, the
fuperftrudure muff dill be efteemed a more ar-
duous undertaking j as it is eafier to diffinguifh the
outward form, even of the minutefl infeds, than
to difcover their internal nature and difpofition.
This is a knowledge not to be attained by any fingle
perfon, be his genius and diligence ever fo great ;
but to bring it to any degree of perfedion, will re-
quire the joint endeavours of the curious in all ages,
and in all the different parts of the world. From
which confiderations, I am induced to throw in my
mite towards promoting fo ufeful an undertaking ;
by reducing my obfervations on this furprizing kind
of infed, into a more concife and regular form.

4 Though

[ i83 ]

Though the Aphides are diftinguifhed by Linnaeus '
into more than thirty fpecies; ftlll 1 am fatisfied,
from my own obfervation, the diftindl fpecies are
even double that number: nor can I altogether
agree with this ingenious author, that there are a
greater variety of plants producing Aphides, than
there are different forts of this infed:. Where plants
are of a like nature, they are ufually frequented by
the fame infeds ; but many of thefe plants will be
found to fupport two or more quite different forts.
On the peach and nedarine indeed the Aphides are
the fame, nor do I find on thefe trees more than one
fort. The plum tree, on the other hand, has two
forts, very diffind from each other: one of a yei-
lowifh. green, with a round fhort body j the other
of a bluifh^green, as it were enameled with white,
and the fhape more oblong. On the goofberry-bufh .>
and ‘currant the fame Aphides may be found ; but
each of thefe is inhabited by two very different
fpecies: one being of a dufky green, with a fhort'
plump body ; the other of a paler green, the body
more taper, and tranfverfly wrinkled. To thefe in-
ftances I muff further add, that the rofe-tree fup-
ports not lefs than three diffind fpecies : The largeff
of which is of a deep green, having long legs of a
brownifh caff, with the joints of a very dark brown,
as are alfo the horns and antennas > a fecond fort is
paler green, has much fhorter legs, and a more flat
body i the third fort is of a pale red, its body tranf-
ver% wrinkled, and is moff frequently on the fweet-
brier. It not being, however, fo much my inten-
tion to enumerate the different fpecies of thefe in-
feds, as to give fome infight into their extraordi-
nary

[184]

nary nature j the inftances I have already produced
•will, I flatter myfelf, be thought fuflicient.

The great variety of fpecies which occur in the
infeds now under confideration may indeed make an
enquiry into their particular natures feem not a little
fntricate and perplexed ; having them, however, Ikil-
fully reduced under their proper genus, the dif-
ficulty is by this means confiderably diminifhed.
All the infeds comprehended under any difliind
genus, we may reafonably fuppofe to partake of one
general nature; and, by diligently examining any of
the particular fpecies, may thence gain fome infight
into the nature of all the reft. With this view I
have chofen, ^out of the various forts of Aphides,
the largeft .of thofe found on the rofe tree; not only
as its fize makes it the more confpicuous, but as
there are few others of fo long a duration. This
fort, appearing early in the fpring, continues late in
the autumn; while feveral are limited to a much
■fliorter term, in conformity to the different trees
and plants from whence they drew their nourifh-
-ment.

SECTION I.

If at the beginning of February the weather hap-
pens to be fo warm, as to make the buds of the rofe
tree fwell and appear green ; fmall aphides are fre-
quently to be found upon them, not larger than the
young ones in fummer, when firft produced. But
there being no old ones to be found at this time of
the year, which in fummer I had oblerved to be
viviparous ; I was formerly not a little perplexed by

fuch

[ *85 ]

I'uch different appearances, and almoff induced- to
give credit to the old dodirine of equivocal gene-
ration. That fhe fame kind of animal fhould, at
one time of the year be viviparous, and at another
oviparous, was an opinion I could then by no means
entertain. This, however, frequent obfervation has
at laft convinced me to be fadt j having found thofe
Aphides, which appear early in the fpring, to pro-
ceed from fmall black oval eggs, which were de-
pouted on the lafl: year’s (hoots in autumn : though,
when it happens that thofe infedls make too early
an appearance, I have obferved the greateft part
to fuffer from the (harp weather that ufually lucceeds;
by which means the rofe trees are fome years in
a manner freed from them.

Thofe which wichftand the feverity of the wea-
ther, feldom come to their full growth before the
month of April ; at which time they ufually begin
to breed, after twice cafting off their exuvire, or out-
ward-covering. It then appears that they are all
females, which produce each of them a very nume-
rous progeny, and that without having intercourfe
with any male infedt. As I obferved before, they
are viviparous ; and what is equally uncommon, the
young ones all come into the world backwards.
When they fird: come from the parent, they are en-
veloped by a thin membrane, having in this (itua-
tion the appearnce of an oval egg j which I appre-
hend muff have induced Reaumur to fufpeft that
the eggs difcovered by Bennet were norhing more
than abortions. This egg-like appearance adheres
by one extremity to the mother, while the young
©ne therein contained extends the other j by that
V ol.LXI. B b means

C 186 ]

means gradually drawing the ruptured membrane,
over the head and body, to the hind feet. During
this operation, and for fome time after, by means
of fomething glutinous, the fore part of the head
adheres to the vent of the parent. Being thus fuf-
pended in the air, it foon frees itfdf from the mem-
brane in which it was confined’, and after its limbs
are a little ftrengthened, is fet down on fome tender
flioot, and then left to provide for itfelf.

When the fpring proves mild, and confequently
favourable to this kind of infedl, I have obferved
not only the rofe trees, but various kinds of fruit-
trees, to be greatly injured by them. Hence 1 was
firfi; introduced to inveftigate the nature of thefe
infers ; in order to find out fome expedient, where-
by lo great an evil might be prevented. To avoid
being tedious by defcending to particulars, I thall
recommend the following general rule ; viz. to lop
olf the infedled fiioots before thefe infedts are greatly
multiplied j repeating the fame operation before the
time their eggs are depofited. By the firfi; pruning,
you will prevent a very numerous prefent increafe ;
and by the fecond, may intirely cut olf the next
year’s fiipply.

SECTION II.

In the fpring months, there appear on the rofe
tree but two generations of Aphides, including
ihofe which immediately proceed from the laft year’s
eggs ; the warmth of the fummer adds fo much to
their fertility, that no lefs than five generations fuc-
ceed each other during that interval. One is pro-
duced

C *87 ’]

duced in May, which twice cads off its covering ^
•while the months of June and July each fupply
two more, which caff off their coverings three or
four times, according to the different warmth of
the feafon. This frequent change of the outward
covering is the more extraordinary, as it is the ofteneft
repeated when the infedls come the fooneft to their
growth ; which I have fometimes obferved to hap-
pen in ten days, where warmth and plenty of
nourifliment have mutually confpired. From which
confiderations, I am thoroughly convinced, that thefe
various coverings are not connate with the infedl ;
but that they are like, the fcarf-fkin, fucceffively pro-
duced.

Early in the month of June, fome of the third
generation, which were produced about the middle
of May, after cafting off their laft covering, difcover
four ercdl wings, much longer than their bodies:
and the fame is obfervable in all the fuceeding gene-
rations, which are produced during the lummer
months j without however diftinguifhing any diver-
fity of fex, as is ufual in feveral other kinds of in-
feds. For fome time before the Aphides come to
their full growth, it is eafy to dilcover which of
them will have wings, by a remarkable fulnefs in
the bread:, which in the others is hardly to be didin-
guidied from the body. When the lad covering is
rejeded, the wings, which were before folded up in
a very narrow compafs, gradually extend themfelves
in a mod furprizing manner, till their dimenfions are
at lad very confiderable. But thefe winged ones
have this further peculiarity, that the number of
them does not feem fo much to depend on their

B b 2 original

[ i88 ]

original flruflure, as on the quantity or quality of the
nourifhment wherewith they are fupplied : it being
frequently obfervable, that thofe on a fucculcnt flioot
have few or none with wings among them ; while
others of the fame generation, on a lefs tender
branch, are moft of them winged : as if the firfl
rudiments of the wings werecompofed in the former,
while nature thought proper to expand them in the
latter, that they might be more at liberty to fupply
their wants.

The increafe of thefe Infefls in the fummer time
is fo very great, that, by wounding and exhaufling
the tender fhoots, they would frequently fupprefs
all vegetation, had they not many enemies which
reftrain them. To enumerate the variety of other
infe(n:s, that in their worm and fly flate are conftant-
ly deftroying them, would exceed the bounds of
my prefent defign : there is one, however, fo fingu-
lar in the manner of executing its purpofe, that I
cannot pafs it by without fome further notice. This
is a very fmall black ichneumon fly, with a flender
body, and very long antennae; which darts its
pointed tail into the bodies of the Aphides, at the
fame time depofiting an egg in each. This egg
produces a worm, which feeds upon the contain-
ing infe6f, till it has acquired its full growth ; wlien
it is ufually changed to that kind of fly from whence
it had its origin. In this, however, it is fometimes
prevented by another foit of fmall black fly, wdfich
wounds this worm through its pearl- like habitation ;
and by laying one of its eggs therein, inlfead of the
former fly, produces its own likenefs,

A

4

T mufl

[ 189 ]

I mull: however further obferve, notwithftanding
thefe infedts have many enemies, they are not with-
out friends ; if we may confider thofe as fuch, who
are very officious in their attendance, for the good
things they expedl to reap thereby. The ant and
the bee are both of this kind, colleding the honey
in which the Aphides abound j but with this dif-
ference, that the ants are conftant vilitors, the bee
only when flowers are fcarce. To which let me alfo
add, that the ants will fuck in the delicious nedarj
while the Aphides are in the ad • of difcharging it
from the anus ; but the bees only colled it from
the leaves, on which this honev^dew has fallen.

SECTION III..

In the autumn, I find three more generations of
Aphides to be produced; two of which make their
appearance in the month of Augufl:, and the third
ufually before the middle of September. As the
two fir ft differ in no refped from thofe which we
meet with in fummcr, it would be wafting time to
dwell any longer upon them; but the third, differing
greatly from all the reft, demands our giving it a
more ferious attention. Though all the Aphides
which have hitherto appeared were females, in this
tenth generation are found feveral male infeds ; not
that they are by any means fo numerous as the fe-
males, being only produced by a fmall part of the
former generation. To which I muft further add,
that I have obferved thofe which produce males,
previoufly to have produced a number of females j
w’hich in all refpeds refembling thofe already de-

fcribedj

r igo ]

fcribed, I fliall decline taking into any further con-
lide ration.

The females have at firfl altogether the fame ap-
pearance with thofe of the former generations ; but
in a few days their colour changes from a green to a
yellow, which is gradually converted into an orange-
colour, before they come to their full growth. They
differ likewife in another refped, at leall from thofe
which occur in the fummer, that all thofe yellow
females are without wings. The male infects are
however ftill more remarkable; their outward appear-
ance readily diflinguilhing them, from the females
of this and all other generations. When firfl pro-
duced, they are not of a green colour like the reft,
but of a reddifli brown ; and have afterwards, when
they begin to thicken about the breaft, a dark line
along the middle of the back. Thefe male infedfs
come to their full growth in about three weeks
time, and then caft off their laft covering ; the whole
infedl being after this operation of a bright yellow,
the wings only excepted. But they foon change to
a darker yellow, and in a few hours to a very dark
brown ; if we except the body, which is fomething
lighter coloured, and has a reddifh caft. They are
all of the winged fort ; and the wings, which are
white at firft, loon become tranfparent, and at length
appear like very fine black gauze.

The males no fooncr come to maturity, than they
copulate with the females^ in which adl they are
readily difcovered, as they remain in conjundlion for
a conliderable time, and are not eafily difturbed.
The commerce between them continues the whole
month of Odtober, and may be obferved' at ail times

[ I9I ]

of the day j though I have found it mofl frequent
about noon, efpecially when the weather is mode-
rately warm,- with the fun overcaft. The females,
in a day or two after their intercourfe with the
males, I have obferved to lay their eggs; which
they ufually do near the buds, when they are left
to their own choice. Where there are a number
crowded together, they of courfe interfere with each
other; in which cafe, they will frequently depofit
their eggs on other parts of the branches, or even
on the fpines with which they are befet. I do not
however find that the eggs produced by thefe in-
fedts bear any proportion to the number of young
ones which proceed from the females of other gene-
rations ; not having obferved any one infedt to pro-
duce more than two or three, and that in appear-
ance^with great difEculty.

Having now traced .their 'progrefs through the
different feafons of the year, and obferved the vari-
ous metamorphofes which they fucceflively under-
go; I cannot help fufpedting the infufficiency of
human reafon, in fetting any fcheme to which the
different changes of inledts. may be accurately re-
duced. Though the indefatigable Swammerdam
feems to have been fully convinced that there is
no infed, whofe changes may not be reduced to one
or other of the four orders he has defcribed ; fill I
the infedl now under confideratlon, having at dif-
ferent feafons quite different appearances, cannot, I
think, with flridfnefs be confined to any of them. In
the fpring they feem in fome meafure to coincide
with the firft order, though in fummer thofe with
wings more properly belong to the fecond ; but in

autumn.

[ *92 ]

autumn, the males may Teem to come under one or-
der, and the females under another; or, I fhould
rather think thefe infeds are not clearly reducible to
any order.

E C T I O N IV.

Some of the in feds now under confideration con-
‘tinuing to lay their eggs till the beginning of No-
vember, I choofe to defer giving a more particular
account of them, till the feafon for which they feem
by nature to have been defigned. Thefe eggs are of
a regular oval figure, being about the tenth part of
an inch in length, and the twentieth in breadth ;
which, though it may feem a very inconfiderable
'bulk, is certainly large for fo minute an in fed:. When
they are firfl; produced, their colour is green, but
,in a few days turns to brown, and by degrees be-
comes quite black. The covering of the eggs may
be called thick, if compared with its fmall fize ;
which at firft is rather of a yielding nature j but, after
.being expofed to the air, foon contrads a greater
firmnefs. If this covering is wounded, there ifiues
.forth a mucilaginous fluid, which is very tranfparent,
and in appearance of a uniform confidence. Thefe
.eggs adhere firmly to the branches on which they
,are depofited, by means of fomething glutinous
\wherewith they are befmeared, and in a mod fur-
prizing manner refid all the feverity of the winter.

Though I have jud now obferved, the contents
.of the eggs to have the appearance of an uniform
fluid ; that this cannot in reality be the cafe, fuflici-
cntly appears from the Aphides they produce in

- the

C >93 ]

the fpring, uithout any other aid than the warmth
of the feafon. Nor is a Tingle infed to beefteemed
the whole produd of an egg, fince it has been
clearly fliewn, that ten generations fuccecd each
other ; the firft rudiments of which mud; have been
originally in the egg, as the females have no com-
munication with the males but in autumn. The
wonder however becomes dill greater, when we con-
fider the number of individuals in each generation ;
this being, I am fully convinced, at a medium, not
lefs than fifty. Whoever pleafes to multiply by fifty,
nine times over, may by this means form fome no-
tion of the great number of infedfs produced from
a lingle egg j but will at the fame time find that
number fo immenfe, as to exceed all comprehen-
fion., and indeed to be little diort of infinity. How
far this can be reconciled with any theory of gene-
ration which the ingenuity of man has hitherto in-
vented, may be a contemplation not altogether un-
worthy our curiofity, though I fear it will not turn
out much to the credit of our reafoning faculties.

The ancient dodrine of equivocal generation, as
alfo that from an admixtion of the feminal matter
of both fexes, being now quite rejeded by all mo-
dern naturalids ; two other opinions feem to have
fprung up in their dead. While one party aderts,
that the original organization of the feetus cxifts in
the ovary of the female, and that it is vivified by a
fubtile fpirit in the fpermatic fluid of the male ; the
other lays it down for a certainty, that the eggs of
the female are only to be conddered as a proper nidus,
provided for the reception of thofe minute animal-
cules, with which the male femen is found to

VoL. LXI, C c abound

C 19+ ]

abound. As the former opinion does not appear to
have any certain fadt to fupport it, we may well fuf-
pedl an infufficiency in the caufe to produce the elfeft
affigned j but, fuppofing it adequate to the produc-
tion of one generation, who can conceive a fubtile
fpirit to remain in force for ten generations, and
that through all the various feafons of the year ?
With regard to 'the latter, I mud; obferve, that the
animalcules of Leeuwenhoek being compared with
Malpighi’s firft rudiments of the chick, their refem-
blance is not fo ftriking as to afford me the lead:
convidlion : but Ihould we allow thefe animalcules
requifite to produce the firft generation, how then
are the fubfequent nine generations produced with-
out them? Not being able lo anfwer thefe queries
myfelf, nor expedting them to be readily anlwered
by others ; it feems moft prudent to obferve with
diligence what nature does, without being over anxi-
ous to difeover by what means. Let us reft fatisfied
in admiring the wonderful effedfs of generation,
while we refer the primary efficient caufe to the e-
lernal will and power of an Almighty Creator,

Me-

Read March 2 r, 1771,

XXIII, Meteorological Obfervations at Ludgvan in Mount’s- Bay, Cornwall, 1770 :
By William Borlafe, Z). Z). F, R, S» Communicated by JDr» Jeremiah Milles, Dean
of Exeter, and F, R, S/

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XXIV, Defer iptUn

[ 198 ]

XXIV. Defcription of a new Hygrometer tr
By Mr, John Smeaton, F. R, S,

• Re*id March 2 ^T_T I N G foiTie years ago attempted
1771- -J^ J[ to make an accurate and feniible

hygrometer, by means of a hempen cord, of a very
confiderable length ; I quickly found, that, though
it was more than fufficiently fufceptible of every
. change in the humidity of the atmofphere, yet the
cord was, upon the whole, in a continual flate of
lengthening. Though this change was the greatefl:
at hrft, yet it did not appear probable that any given
time would bring it to a certainty j and futhermore
it feemed, that, as the cord grew more determi-
nate in mean length, the alteration by certain dif-
ferences of moifture grew lefs. Now as, on conli-
dering wood, paper, catgut, &c. there did not ap-
pear to be a likelihood of finding any fubftance
futficientlv fenfible of differences of moifture, that
, would be unalterable under the fame degrees there-
of ; this led me to confider of a conftrudtion which
would readily admit of an adjuftment ; fo that, though
the cord whereby the inftrument is adfuated may
be variable in itfelf; both as to abfolute length, and
difference of length under given degrees of moif-
ture, yet that, on fuppofttion of a material depar-
ture from its original feale, it might be readily re-

4 ftorcd ' j

r 199 ]

ftored thereto, and In conrequence that any numbers
of hygrometers, fimilarly conftrufted, might, like
thermometers, be capable of fpeaking the fame
language.

The two points of heat, the more readily deter-
nunable in a thermometer, are the points of freezing
and boiling water. In like manner, to conflruff
hygrometers which fliall be- capable of agreement,
it is neced'ary to eftablifh 'two different degrees of
a moiflure which fliall be as fixed in themfelves, and
to which we can as readily and as often have re-
courfe as poffible. One point is given by making
the fubftance perfeftly wet, which Teems fufliciently
determinable j the other is that of perfe<fl dry ; but
which I do not apprehend to be attainable with the
Tame precifion. A readinefs to imbibe wet, fo that
the fuhftance may be foon and fully Taturated, and
alfo a facility of parting with Its moiflure, on being
.expofed to the fire to dry; at the fame time that
neither immerfion in water, nor a moderate ex-
pofition to the warmth of the fire, Tliall injure its
texture; are properties requifite to the firfl mover
of fuch an hygrometer, that in a manner exclude all
fubflances that I am acquainted with, befides hempen
and flaxen threads or cords, and what are com-
pounded thereof.

Upon thefe ideas, In the year 1758 I conflrudled
two hygrometers, as near alike as poffible, in order
that I might have the means of examining their
ap-reement or difagreement on firnilar or diffimilar
treatment. The interval or fcale between dry and
wet, I divided into 100 equal parts, which I call
the degrees of this hygrometer. The point of o

denotes

[■ 200 ]

denotes perfcd dry; and the numbers Increafe with
the degrees of moidure to loo, which denotes per-
fect wet.

On comparing them for feme time, when hung
up near together in a paOage or dair-cafe, where they
would be very little atfedted by fire, and where they
would be expofed to as free an air as podible in the
infide of the houfe, 1 found that they generally were
within one degree, and very rarely differed tw^o de-
grees ; but, as thde comparifbns necefiarily took up
ibme time, and were frequently interrupted by long
avocations from home, it was fome years before I
could form a tolerable judgement upon them. One
thing I loon obferved, not altogether to my liking ;
which was, that the flaxen cords, which I made ufe
of, feemed to make lo much refidance to the entry
of fmall degrees ot moidure (Inch as is commonly
experienced .within doors in the dtuation above-
mentioned) that all tlie clianges were comprized
within the fird 30 degrees of the fcale ; but yet, on
expofing them to the warm deam of a wadi-houfe,
the index quickly mounted to 100. I was there-
fore delirous of impregnating the cords with fome-
thing of a faline nature, which daould difpofe them
more forcibly to attract moidure ; in order, that
the index might, with the ordinary changes of
moidure in the atmofphere, travel over a greater part
of the fcale of 100: howto do this in a regular
and fixed quantity, was the fubjedf of many ex-
periments, and feveral years interrupted enquiry. At
lad, I tried the one here- after deferihed, which
feemed to anfwer my intentions in a great mealure;
and though, upon the whole, it does not ap-
pear

V

I

[ 201 ]

pear likely that this inftrument will ever be made-
capable of fo accurate an agreement, as mercurial
thermometers are made to be 5 yet, if we can re*
duce all the difagreements of an hygrometer within
-^",,th part of the wdiole fcale, it will probably be of
ufe in fome philofophical enquiries, in lieu of in-
flriiments which have not as yet been reduced to
any common fcale at all.

Dejertption of the Hygrometer,

Fig. 1 and 2, ABC is an orthographick delinea*
tion of the whole inftrument feen in front in its
true proportion.

D E is that of the profile, or the infirument feen
edgeways.

F G, in both, reprefents a flaxen Cord, about 35
inches long, fufpended by a turning peg F, and at-
tached to a loop of brafs wire at A, which goes
down into the box cover H, which defends the in-
dex, 6cc. from injur}% and by a glafs expofes the fcale
to view.

Fig. 3. {hews the inftrument to a larger fcale, the
upright part being fhortened, and the box cover re-
moved j in which the fame letters reprefent the fame
parts as in the preceeding figures ; G I are two
loops or long links of brafs wire, which lay hold of
the index K L, moveable upon a fmall fludd or
center K. The cord F G is kept moderately {train-
ed by a weight M, of about half a pound avoir-
dupoize.

It is obvious, that as the cord lengthens and fhortens,
the extreme end of the index rifes and falls, and
fucceflively pafles over

VoL. LXr. J) d N 2

[ 202 ]

N 2 the fcale, difpofed in the arch of a circle,
and containing loo equal divifions. This fcale is
attached to the brafs Hiding ruler Q^P, which moves
upon the direding piece R R, fixed by fcrews to the '
board, which makes the frame or bafe of the whole j
and the fcale and ruler, N Q P, Is retained in any
place, nearer to or further from the center K, as may
be required, by the fcrew S.

Fig. 4. reprefents in profile, the Aiding piece,
and Audd I. (fig. 3.), which traverfes upon that
part of the index next the center K ; and which can,
by the two fcrews of the Audd, be retained upon
any part of the index that is made parallel ; and
wliich is done for 3 or 4 inches from the center,,
for that purpofe. The Audd is filed to the edges,
like the fulcrum of a fcale beam, one being formed
on the underfide, the other upon the upper, and as
near as may be to one another. An hook formed
at the lower end of the wire loops C I, retains the
index by the lowermoA edge of the Audd, while
the weight M hangs by a fmall hook upon the up-
per edge: by thefe means the index is kept Aeady,
and the cords Arained by the weight, with very
little fridion or burthen upon the central Audd K.

Fig. 5. is a parallelogram of plate brafs, to keep
out duA, which is attached to the upper edge of.
the box cover H, and ferves to Aiut the part of the
box cover necefifarily cut away, to give leave for
the wire G I to traverfe with the Aiding Audd (fig.
4.) nearer to, or further from, the center of the
index K j and where in (fig. 5.) a is an hole about
4 of an inch diameter, for the wire G I to pafs
through, in the rifing and falling of the index,

freely

[ 203 ]

freely without touching j is a flit of a lelTer fize,
fufficient to pafs the wire, and admit the cover to
come off without deranging the cord or index j c c
are two fmall fcrews applied to two flits, by
which the plate Aides lengthways, in order to adapt
the hole a to the wire G I, at any place of the
fludd I upon the index K L.

Remarks on the preceding ConJiruBion,

I ft. In this conftrudion the index K L being 12
inches long, 4 inches from the extreme end are tiled
fo narrow in the diredion in which it is feen by
the eye, that any part of thefe 4 inches, lying over
the divifions of the fcale, becomes an index there-
to. The fcale itfelf Aides 4 inches, fo as to be
brought under any part of the 4 inches of the index,
attenuated as before mentioned.

2dly. The pofition of the direding piece R R is
fo determined, as to be parallel to a right line drawn
through the point o upon the fcale, and the center
K of the index; confequently, as the attenuated part
of the index forms a part of a radius, or right
line from the fame center, it follows, that when-
ever the index points to 0 upon the fcale, though
the fcale is moved nearer to or further from the
center of the index, yet it produces no change in
the place to which the index points.

3dly. When the divided arch of the fcale is at
10 inches from the center (that is, at its mean dif-
tance) then the center of the arch and the center
of the index are coincident. At other diftances, the
extremes of which are 8 or 1 2 inches, the center of

D d 2 the

[ 2°4 3

the divifions and center of the index, pointing
thereto, not being coincident, the index cannot move
over fpaces geometrically proportionable to one another
in all fituations of the fcale ; yet, the whole fcale
not exceeding 30 degrees of a circle, it will be found
on computation, that the error can never be fo great
2s Tso-'^ part of the fcale, or i degree of the hygro-
meter; which in this inftrument being confidered as
an indivifeable, the mechanical error will not be
fenfible.

Choice and Preparation of the Cord,

The cord here made ufe of is of flax, and be-
twixt -rV*" and of an inch in diameter ; which
can readily be afcertained by meafuring a number of
turns made round a pencil or fmall flick. It is a
fort of cord ufed in London for making nets,^ and
is of that particular kind called by net makers faxen
three threads laid. I do not imagine that the fabrick
of the cord is of the moft material confequencc ;•
but yet I fuppofe, when cords can be had of fimilar
fabrick, and nearly of the fame fize, that fome fmall
fources of variations will be avoided. In general I-
look upon it that cords, the more they are twifted,
the more they vary by different degrees of moiflure,
and the lefs we are certain of their abfolute length-;
therefore thofe moderately twifted, I fuppofe, are
Fikely to anfwer beft.

A competent quantity of this cord was boiled in
one pound avoirdupoifc of water, in which was put
two pennyweights troy of common fait ; the whole
was reduced by boiling to 6 | avoirdiipoife, which
3 was

[ 205 ]

was done in about half an hour. As tliis afcertains
a given ftrength of brine on taking out the cord;
it may be fuppofed that every fibre of the cord is
equally impregnated with fait. The cord being
dried, it will be proper to flretch it ; which may be
done fo as to prevent it from untwifhng, by tying
three or four yards to two nails, againif a wall, in
an horizontal pofition, and hanging a weight of a
pound or two to the middle, fo as to make it form
an obtufe angle. This done for a week or more
in a room, will lay the fibres of the cord clofe
together, and prevent its ftretching fo fad after being
applied to the intfrument, as it otherwife would be
apt to do.

I have mentioned the fizes and principal dimen-
fions that I have ufed ; as the indruments may as
well be fimilarly condrudfed as otherways; but I
do not apprehend it to be very material to agree in
any_ thing but the drength of the brine on taking
the cord out of it. If the cord is adapted to the
indrument fome days before its fird adjudment, I
apprehend it will be the more fettled.

Adjujiment of the Hygrometer.

The box cover being taken off, to prevent its be-
ing fpoiled by fire, and chufing a day naturally dry, ,
fet the indrument nearly upright, about a yard from
a moderate fire ; fo that the cord may become dry,
and the indrument warm, but not fo near as would
fpoil the fined linen by too much heat, and yet
fully evaporate the moidurej there let the indru-
ment day, till the index is got as low as it will go,

now

[ 206 ]’

now and then ftroking the cord betwixt the thumb
and finger downwards, in order to> lay the fibres
thereof clofe together, and thereby caufing it to
lengthen as much as poffible : when the index is
thus become ftafionary, which will generally hap-
pen in about an hour (more or lefs as the air is
naturally more or lefs dry), by means of the peg
at top raife or deprefs the index, till it lays over
the point o ; this done, remove the inftrument from
the fire, and having ready fome warm water in a
teacup, take a ‘ middling camel’s hair pencil ; and
dipping it in the water, gently anomt the cord, till
it will drink up no more, and till the index becomes
flationary, and water will no more have effedl upon
it } which will alfo generally happen in about an
hour. If in this date the index lays over the de-
gree marked loo, all is right; if not, flack the
Icrew S, and Aide the fcale nearer to or further from
the center, till the point loo comes under the in-
dex, and then the inftrument is adjufted for ufe :
but, if the compafs of the Aide is not fufheient to
efteft this, as may pro^bly happen on the Arft
adjuftment, Aack the proper ferews, and move the
Aiding ftudd I nearer to or further from the center
of the index, according as the angle formed by the
index, between the points of dry and wet, happeneth
to be too fmall or too large for the fcale ; the quan-
tity can eafily be judged of, fo as the next time
to come within the compafs of the Aide of the
fcale j the quantity of Aide being 4 of ^he length of
the index, and confequently its compafs of adjuft-
ment of the whole variable quantity. Now as
ffiding the ftudd I will vary the polition of the in-

7

4

[ 207 ]

dex refpeding the point of o, this movement is
only to be confidered as a rough or preparatory ad-
juftment, to bring it within the coinpafs ol the
Hide of the fcale ; which will not often happen
to be neceffary after the fiift time j but in this cafe,
the adjuflment muft be repeated in the fame man-
ner, by drying and wetting as before defcribed.

It is to be remarked, that, as the cord is fuppofed'
impregated in a given degree with common fait,,
and this not liable to evaporate, care muft be
taken in wetting, that no drops of wet be luffered
to fall from the cord : for, by the obfervance hereof,,
the original quantity is preferved in the cord.

Obfervations ,mad€ upon two original Hygrometers.

Thefe hygrometers were firfl adjuded, after the-
impregnation of the cords with common fait, in
February 1770 ; they were kept together in a flair-
cafe till the fummer following ; they were frequently
obferved, and rarely found to differ more than one
degree.

In fummer, one of them remaining in the former
place, the other was removed into a paffage through
a building; which having no doors, and the inftru- '
ment being hung fo that neither rain nor the diredl
rays of the fun could fall upon it, thereby it became
expofed to the winds, and the free paffage of the
open air. In thefe fituations the two hygrometers
not only differed very greatly in quantity, but even
frequently were moving different ways. They were
thus continued till January 1771J in which fpace of
time I obferved, that the moft ordinary place of the

, index.

[ 2o8 ]

index was between 15° and 25'’ in the open air j
that at 40° the atmofphere felt very fcnfibJy moid j
but yet it was frequently above 60° j and more than
once at 70°, or very near, I have therefore marked
the point of o dry \ 20® the mean^ 40° 70®

very mojiy 1 00° wet. I do not, however, mean thofe
words (that of dry and wet excepted) as of any
'other intent, than that of general diredtion, in like
manner as thofe upon the barometer j leaving the
relative degrees of moidure to be judged of by the
fcale.

In the month of January lad, I redored the ex-
pofed hygrometer to its former place in the daircafe,
when both indruments were again compared together j
and they rarely didered more than i degree, and never
fo much as 2°. After this, they were both removed
together to the out padage 3 and there they agreed
nearly in the fame manner, the utmod difference not
exceeding 2 degrees. After fome tryal here, one of
them was readjuded, leaving the other hanging in
its place. On redoring the new adjuded indru-
ment to the other, they now differed about 5°, the
new adjuded one danding fo much higher. The
day following the^ other was readjuded alfo, and
afterwards redored to its place with the former,
which had been left in the out padage ; and after
this readjudment they both agreed to 1°. This be-
ing obferved for fome days, one of them was taken
down, in order to be packed up for London ;
this I have now the honour of exhibiting to the
Royal Society ; and I beg to leave it in the
Society’s houfe, that in cafe any one diould be

defirous

[ 209 1

defirous of having an inftrument made on the fame
plan, they may have recourfe thereto.

It appears from the foregoing obfervations, that,
in the compafs of 1 1 months, the cords had ftretch-
ed the value of 5° : and I alfo obferved that they
both had contraded their compafs about 10°. I
would, therefore recommend, that an hygrometer
fhould from its firft adjuftment, be readjufted at the
end of three months, and again, at the end of fix
months from the firft; after that, at the interval of
about fix months, to the end of two years from the
beginning ; and after that, I apprehend that once a
year will fuffice ; the beft time of adjuftment, being
' in the dry and warm weather of July or Auguft:
and by thefe means, I apprehend the inftrument
will be always kept within 2° of its proper point.

Refpeding the fenfibility of this inftrument, it
has that in a greater degree than its conftancy to
its fcale can be depended upon, which was all
that I intended ; where greater degrees of fenfibility
are required, to make comparifons at fmall intervals
of time, the beard of a wild oat, and other con-
ftrudlions may be ufed, with advantage ; this inftru-
ment being confidered as a cheque upom them as to
more diftant periods.

General Condujion,

I am aware that an hygrometer actuated by any
principle of the kind here made ufe of may not be
a meafurer of the quantity of moifture, adlually dif-
folved in, and intimately mixed, with the air; but
only indicates the difpofition of the air to part with,

VoL. LXI. E e or

f

C 210 ]

or precipitate the water contained in its fubdance
or, on the contrary, to diffolve and Imbibe a greater
quantity : but as it is by feparating the efFedts of na-
tural caufes, that we are enabled to judge of thefe
caufes, and from thence their effedls when again
compounded 5 every attempt to afcertain the operations
of a fimple caufe will have its value in the fearch
into nature ; nor can we a priori determine the
value of any new inftrument; for, if it fliould lead
to a fingle difcovery, or even to afcertain a fingle
fadt, this may again lead to others of great importance,
of which we might have, either none, or an im-
perfedt idea of before. For my own part, I have
always looked on a thick fog, and the fweating, or
condenfation of the water’s vapours upon the walls
in the infide of buildings, to be the greatell marks
of a moift atmofphere : whereas I have not always
found the hygrometer aftedled at thefe times in
the higheft degree. On the contrary at the clofe
of a fine day, and the fall of the dew on the fud'-
den approach of a frofl, I have found the hygro-
meter more affedled by moifture than in fome of
the preceeding cafes ; and flill more by a falling dew
in the time of an hard froft. I juft mention thefe
matters of hints for the enquiry of others ^ not having
had length of time, fince 1 brought the inftrument
to anfwer my iirtention, to mako’ any abfolute con-
clu lions.

I am forry I have been obliged to take fo much
compafs, to defcribe and explain a very limple in-
ftrument ; but as I meant at the fame time to give
fome idea of what is to be expedled from it, I thought

it

C 2II ]

it more excufable to be prolix than not fufficiently
explicit.

London,

- March 21, 1771.

J. Smeatpn.

P. S. It is to be noted, that, after each readjuft-
ment, though the hygrometers would generally with-
in a few hours come near their point, yet it was
not till the next day that they could be depended on,
as having come to their neareft agreement.

XXV_. Lettev^

E e 2

[ 212 ]

XXV. ^ Letter from Mr. John Baptifl: Bec-
caria, of Turin, F.R.S. to Mr. John
Canton, F. R. S. on his rew Phofphorus
receiving feveral Colours^ and only emit-
ting the fame.-

Clariflimo Viro

JoANNi Canton, M. A. et Lond. Soc. Membro*

. meritiff.

Joannes Baptifta Beccaria, ex Scholiis Piis, S. P. D.

Read April ii, r | ^HECAS plures confici curavi ex la-
JL mina ferrea cylindraceas intus ni-
gerrimas. Operculum late pertufum cryftallo occlu-
ditur, colore in theca quaque diverfo. Singulis
th ecis offas immili ex phofphoro calcareo-fnlphureo
fingulas omnia pares. Hae claufae foli objiciuntur
fimul omnes; afportatas in tenebras aperio, atque^
offam, quas per cryftallum viridem, video virefcere;.
rubefcere, quae per rubram y flavefccre, quae per flavam
cryftallum lucem imbuit : videlicet confit hoc ex-
periment jam non quantam folum lucem ebiberit
phofphorus, fed et qualem, earn ipfum unice emittere..
Q^d etiam experimentum Regiae Societati obveniet
lortafTe non injucundum. Vale.

Summo Franklinio obfequium meo nomine, ct
falutem plurimam dicas rogo.

XXVI. Some

[ 213 3

XXVI. Some Remarks on the EffeBs of the
late Cold in February I aft : in a Letter
from the Rev. R. Watfon, Fellow ^Tri-
nity College, and Profejfor of Chemiftry
at Cambridge, to Mathew Maty, M,D»
Sec, R, S,

Dear Sir^

Trin^ Col!. Cam. March 21, 1771.

Read April II, 3Sf the 1 2th of laft February, about

an hour after fun rifing,. I obferved
at Cambridge a degree of cold which is very un-
ufual in England, though common enough in more
northern climates. Fahrenheit’s thermometer, made
by Dollond, as well in the open air, as when covered
withfnow, flood as low as 6° above o. The Cam,
by no means a rapid river, remained unfrozen j at
the tides indeed there was a little ice, and fome
fmall flakes floating in the middle. This is no very
uncommon phaenomenon. The Seine was not frozen
at Paris in 1709, though the cold continued for two
days one degree greater than in the prefent cafe.
Various reafons have been produced, in order to ac-
count for this feemins: deviation from the ufual
ccuj*fe. of nature.. It hath, been generally believed

that.

i

[ '2H .]

that the flrong current in the Seine impeded the
congelation : motion will certainly hinder the parts
of fluid bodies from acquiring a regular arrange-
ment; but it may be doubted whether it will wholly
prevent their coalefcence, in any cafe where the
degree of heat is lefs than what would keep them
fluid if they were quiefeent. We have frequent in-
ftances in chemiflry, of faturated folutions of fdts
reti'iaining perfedlly fluid whili^ at reft, and of form-
ing thick coagulums upon the leaft motion. Melted
metals, glafs, refins, See. appear to continue fluid
for a longer time, after being taken from the fire,
by having their parts moved, than if they are left at
reft ; becaufe the fuperficies which is expofed to
the air is conftantly changing, and the whole mafs
becomes uniformly cold and fixed at once, as foon
as it has parted with the heat neceftary for its fufion.
The moft rapid rivers would probably experience a -
flmilar change, did the cold in the atmofphere con-
tinue long enough to be communicated to the whole
body of the water : for upon taking the thermo-
meter out of the fnow, which laid upon the bank
of the river, and immerfing it into the water, it
fuddenly rofe 26°, and flood at 32°, or higher ; fo
that the air was very confiderably colder than the
water : nor is this at all to be wondered at, when we
confider that great degrees of cold may be fuddenly
produced in the atmofphere by caufes which do not
immediately operate upon other bodies. Thus the
influx of colder air from the northern latitudes, or
the'delcent of that which always remains exceeding-
ly cold in the up(.^r parts of the atmofphere in the

fame

6

[ 215 3

fame latitude, may in a few hours wholly change
the air of a particular diftrid : or, if from any pe-
culiar circiimftance the air flicjlild become unufually
dry, and confequently difpofed to difiblve much
water, a great degree of cold might be almoO: in-
flan taneoufly produced j but which could not be
communicated to other bodies, in a little time, by
lb rare a fluid as the air.

During the forementioned degree of cold, a thick
vapour was feen riling from the furface, and marking
as it were the courfe of the river. If we attribute
the elevation of this vapour to the attradion of the
air, rather than to the comparative warmth of the
water (for water juft beginning to freeze is oh-
ferved not to lofe of its weight by evaporation i/2 va-
cuo J the great cold may be thought perhaps, to have
proceeded from the folution of water in air which
was then carrying on ; for the earth was glutted with
humidity, and the air was become dry, having been
freed from its water by an almofl; inceflant precipi-
tation for three davs, under the form of fnow or

•f '

fleet. It is very remarkable, that the extreme cold,
of January 13, 1709, came on at Paris, with- a
gentle fouth wind, and was diminiflied when the
wind changed to the north j this is accounted for by'
M. de la Hire, from the wind’s having pafled over the
mountains of Auvergne to the fouth of Paris,, then;
covered with fnow j and by Mr. Homberg, froini
the reflux of that air, which had been flowing, for
fome time from the north. I do. not fee from w^hat
philofophical principle it can be fuppofed, that the
lame air in its regrcfs from a fouthern latitude fliould,

b®L

[ 2i6 ]

be colder than in its progrefs from a northern ; and
as to the other opinion, the pha?nomenon of the
cold’s increafing upon the wind’s changing from
north to louth, hath been taken notice of in other
places, where there was no fnow to refer it to. May
it not deferve to be confidered, whether the fudden
folution of large quantities of aqueous vapours, brought
from the fouth into a dry northern air, be not a
caufe adequate to the’effedt produced ? The folubili-
ty of water in air is diftind:ly mentioned by Dr.
Halley, in the Philof. Tranf. N° 192; and in the
6th Vol. of the French Encyclopedic, publifhed in
1756; and more fully and ingenioully treated of by
Dr. Hamilton in 1765 : the cold attending the fo-
lution is a phaenomenon fimilar to 'that attending
many other chemical folutions, and is in a lefs de-
gree fenfibly felt by every one who goes into a room
newly wallied, or flreet in the fummer time lately
watered.

Upon taking the thermometer out of the river,
its bulb was quickly covered with a thin cruft of ice,
which defended it fo much from the cold fubfifting
in the atmofphere, that it did not fink two degrees
in ten minutes ; whereas, when it was wiped dry
after immerfion in water, it funk above 20° in a
lefs fpace of time: this circumftance fhews that ice
doth not tranfmit cold, and is explained by the ex-
periments of M. Richmann, who hath eftabliftied
it as a principle, that metallic fubftances are far more
quickly afteded in their dimenfions by the tranfitions
from heat to cold, and the contrary, than any other
bodies yet known.

7

Being

[ 217 ]

Being defiro'us of obferving the effed of this ex-
traordinary degree of cold upon various faline folu-
tions, I haftened to my elaboratory, where 1 hap-
pened to have a great many folutions of lalts corked up
in quart bottles ; the bottles were not all full, but
the folutions were perfedly faturatedj the date in
which I found them is exprefl'ed in the following
table.

^Frozen wholly

Frozen nearly

Wholly fluid

Alum

Green vitriol

Sea fait

Cream of Tartar

Blue vitriol

Sal gemmae

Arfenic

Rochelle fait

Sal ammoniac

Corrof, fublimate

Glauber’s fait genuine

Volatile alkaline fait

Borax

White vitriol, a few

Fixt alkali per deliq.

Nitre

glacial fpicula

Epfom falts 1 Lyming-
Glauber falts f ton.

Thefe experiments agree upon the whole very well
with thofe of profeffor Braunius, related in the
Peterfburgh Commentaries for 1763 : for, though his
faturated folutions of Epfom falts, ^nd of fixt alkali,
had begun to freeze in a lefs degree of cold, yet it
is probable that his Epfom falts might have been
different from thofe manufadfured at Lymington,
and the folution'of his fixt alkali not fo well faturated
as that which is made per deliquium.

During the fame froft, I endeavoured to find out
the powers, by which different falts, when they are
diffolved in water, refift congelation. With this
view I diffolved equal weights of falts, equally dry,
in equal quantities of water, and expofed the folu-
VoL. LXL F f tions

[ 2l8 ]

jfions, when they were arrived at the fame degree of
heat, m veiTels of equal and fimilar figures to the-
fame freezing atmofphere ; and accurately marking
the times in which they began to freeze, I found
them obferving the following order : firfl alum, then
Rochelle filt, green vitriol, fugar refined, white vi-
triol, vitriolated tartar, Glauber’s fait, mineral fixt
alkali, nitre, blue vitriol, volatile alkali, fal ammoniac,
lad: of all, fea fait. Thefe experiments were repeated
once or twice with feme attention ; yet I would not
be thought to propofe the order in which I have-
arranged the feveral falts, as wholly to be relied on.
It were to be wiflied, that a fufficient number of ex-
periments were accurately made upon this fubjedV
fome general truths relative to metallic earths, and
alkaline neutral falts, would probably be obtained-
therefrom, which, however unimportant in them-
felves, might ferve, upon fome occafion or other, as
connedfiiig links, to extend the chain of our ideas.
By this comparifon of equal quantities of different
lalts dillblved in equal quantities of water, we might
be enabled to fpeak with as much precifion, con-
cerning the powers by which they refid congelation,
as wc do concerning thofe by which they refill putre-
fadion. I know not whether it may not be thought
-too curious a remark to obferve, that the Ocean is im-
pregnated with that fpecies of fait which refills con-
gelation with the greatefl power, and in fuch a
quantity as tends not to preferve entire, but to accele-
rate the difiblution of the numberlefs animals which
are daily dying in it. Beecher, it hath been allerted,
was acquainted with tliis property of common fait j

but

[ 219 ]

but he feems only to fpeak of it as a far lefs efilca-
cious anti-feptic than fugar ; at leaf:, the honour of
afcertaining the proportion in which it adts as a feptic
undoubtedly belongs to Sir John Pringle; for Beecher,
in his Phyjica Subterraneay lib, I. Je5l, v. cap. i.
where he is fpeaking of this matter, fays, “ quod
nimius falls ufus corpus putrefeere faciat, licut
modicus a putredine praefervat.”

To a table exhibiting the relative powers of neutral
falts in refifling congelation, another might be ufe-
fully added, denoting the powers of all the known
acids and alkalies when diluted to a given denfity;
as alfo of vinous fpirits, from highly redtified fpirits
of wine to water impregnated with the minutefl
quantity of fpirit. Not but that it may be con-
jedtured a priori, that in this laft cafe the refifiiance
to congelation would be diredly as the quantity of
fpirit contained in given quantities of water. I made
an experiment of this kind with fea fait; in equal
quantities of water were diflblved quantities of fea
fait, increafing in the arithmetical progreflion, o, 5,
10, 15, 20, 6cc. ; the times in which the folutions
began to freeze, reckoning from the time in which
fimple water began, increafed accurately in the fame
progreffion : hence it may be inferred, that, in fait of
the fame kind, the refinance to congelation is in
the dired fimple proportion of the quantity of fait
diflblved; this conclufion cannot be extended to falts
of different kinds, fince water faturated with fea fait is
more difficultly congealed than when faturated with
various other falts, which it difiblves in greater
quantities.

F 2

Thefc

[ 220 ] “

Tlicfe obfervatlons, which are only propofed as
hints to thofe who have more leifure for experimental
enquiries, you will be fo obliging as to commu-
nicate to the Royal Society, or not,, as you think:
proper. I am,

Dear Sir,

Your mod; faithful’

and obedient lervant.

. R» Watfon«

I

XX ni, ^

[ 221 ]

XXVII. A Letter from Thomas Barker,
Lfq\ of Lyndon in Rutlandrhire, to James
Weft, Lfq\ Pref R, S» concerning Ob-
fervations of the i^uantities of Rain falleJt
at that Plojce for feveral Tears^.

S I

Lyndon, March 22, 17710

Read April the Other fide is the quantity of

»77i* rain, which has fallen at Lyndon in

Rutland, fince May 1736, with a table of the mean
rain in the firfi; four or five years, and every ten years
fince ; which thews that there has been more rain in
the latter part of this period, than in the former.
But the leaft four years were from 1740 to 43, little
more than i6f inches a year j and the greatefi: four
years from 1767 to 70, above 25I inches a year.
For comparing of dry feafons and wet ones, I have
made a table of the three driefi: months, the three
driefi: two months, three, four, &c. to twelve fuc-
ceflive months ; and a like table of wet ones : but
as the years 1763, 68, 70, exceeded any others, I
have made another like table of them. There arc
no three months come up to the lafi; quarter of 1770,

2

[ 222 ]

7 1 inches of which came in three weeks, from
Nov. 6 to 26; but 1763 and 68, were wetter than
70, except thofe three months : and in this country
63 was the wetteftj yet, by what I -heard, 1 fuppofe
68 exceeded it in many places. In common
fpeaking, thofe are called wet years, in which the
fummer, the growing feafon, was wet and cold ;
and thofe dry ones, wherein the fummer was dry and
burning j fo that though 1740, i, 2, and 3, had all
but little rain, yet 42 and 43 were not properly
called dry years, becaufe the ground never burned
long together; and as the different degrees of heat,
and frequency of rain, do not appear in this table, one
cannot certainly judge, from the quantity of rain,
which were the dried: fummers. Thofe complained
of for dry, were, 1737, 40, 41, 50, 60, 62, and 65;
but the hotted and mod burning were 1750, 60, and
62 ; and 40 and 65 were cold and dry. On the
other hand, the wet years were 1738, 39, 51, 52,
56, 63, and 66 to 70 ; but the wetted 175 1, 56, 63,
and 68 ; and above all the lad quarter of 1770.

Feb. 12 lad, the thermometer abroad, was down
at 4 of Fahrenheit’s fcale, which is lower than I
have obferved it in above 20 years pad; the
lowed I had before obferved, was io|, Jan. 5,
1768. I have therefore given the rife and fall of the
thermometer for above a week in the frod.

Feb.

[ 223 ]

Morn

Afternoon

Feb. 8

27

N.byW.

36

E.N.E.

9

261

N.E.

29i

N.E.

10

28

N. E.

33

E.byW.-

1 1

24I

E.S.E.

29I

S. W.

12

4

W.byN.

31

N. W.

13

w.

S.

14

9

s. w.

25

S.S.W.

15

12

s. w.

27I

E.

16

3^

E.byW.

35i

E.

It was remarkable, that as long as the wind
continued N. E. the froft was moderate, when it
turned S, W. it became very fevere ; and when the
wind turned back into the Eaft again, the froft went
away. This looks as if the weather was^feverer
Southward than here ; as I think was likewife the cafe
in Feb. 1754, which was alfo a very cold feafon.

I am. Sir,

Your humble ftrvant,

Tho. Barker.

] :'1on, mean rain at different periods

1

4

4 years
ry years
.56-40

-

10 years
40-50

io yean
50-60

10 years
60-70

34 years

Annual quanti

1 1737 1 1738

ties of

1739

rain.

1740

35

36-70

1736

)

1 1 . 2'7 i

1. 410

1.722

1.606

1 1-544

0.615

1.788

2.430

0.250

Jan.

4

t :

11.194

0.856

I-. 146

1-7^5

1.234

1.660.

0.568

2.487

o.c6c

Feb.

h

n.roi

1-374

1. 472

1*143

1-303

1.768

1.189

0.814

0.6^2

Adar.

P'

'1-34^

1.394

i.,905

1.298

1.510

0.676

1.230

2.585

0.872

April

4

11.408

T. I 96

1.609

1. 661

1.476

0.985

I.ooo.

2.160

1.860

1.026

May

Hi

(

1.406,

2.272

2.158

2.614

2.213

0.922

0.720

2.420

1*537

1*430

June

4

'2.623

2.052

2 974

2,478

2.518

6.550.

0.306

0.624

1.965

3.668

July

t

3-^74

1.105

2-. 701

2.302

2.194

2.500

6.300

1.418

2.350

2.8co

•Aun.

■\

1

.2. 1 28

I 7^5

1-.370

I-73I

1.694

1.540

3’4^5

2.1 10

1*903

1.620

Sept.

c

11.517

1.741

1.561

2.673

1.924

2.350

2.025

1.640

0.522

1.050

oa.

w

0.985

1-939

1.614

2-325

1 .820

0.620

9.570

0.692

1*557

1.488

1 . 7 •; 2

J-443

1.898

1.729

1.698

1.500

1.830

1.320

1:540

2.412

D C.

1,9.790(18.547

22.130

23.275I2 1 .1 18

16.967 j

^0-935!

17-159

21,660 !

17.318

Annual.

I 224 ]

Anmial quantities of rain at Lyndon,

I7-D

1742

1743

1744

1745

1746

1747

00

M

i

1749

1750

Jan.

1.088

I-43S

0.406

1.198

0.827

1.758

2,862

0.938

2.483

1. 107

Jan.

Feb.

0.618

0.863

0.365

0.941

0.572

1.706

1.2 1 1

0.369

1.017

0.894

Feb.

Alar.

D.568

0.05s

1-193

1.428

2.541

1.880

1.240

1.946

1.870

1.020

Mar,

April

0.270

i.go8

1.252

2-759

1.708

0.762

1.017

1.367

0.548

2.348

April

IVlay

0.441

1.546

0.868

1.257

1-137

0.546

2.829

1.178

1.107

0-995

-VI ay

1 une

i.366

1,430

0-379

3-479

3-451

2.900

1.562

3-044

3-039

2.069

June

July

0.873

3-136

5.230

0.820

0.724

1.442

2.248

3-484

1.049

1.510

July

Aug.

J-6.33

0.160

1. 124

0-9.57

3-934

0.456

0.071

1-305

0.767

0.640

Aug.

Septi

4-935

1.778

0.008

3.298

0.899

1-633

1.922

0-553

0.618

1.003

Sept.

OcL

1.460

2.386

3.088

3.142

1,460

2.274

0.582

1.060

1.086

0.875

oa.

Nov.

1.960

2.417

0.724

2.276

2.067

1.789

4.920

0.430

0.688

2.124

Nov.

Dec.

0.490

0.163

1.427

1,168

1-233

1-279

3.624

1-549

1.674

1.827

Dec.

15.702

17.277

16.064

22.723

20.553

18.425

24.088

17.223

16.946

16.412

Annual quantities of rain at Lyndon,

175^

1,752

1753

1 1754

1755

1756

1757

1758

1759

1760

Jan,

3.098

2.518

1.692

0.925

1.02 1

2.016

t

2.144

1.867

0.876

1.062

Jan.

Feb.

0.924

1-377

1.841

0.887

0-835

0.689

0-594

2.060

0-379

1.872

Feb.

ALir.

2.046

1.203

1.172

1.247

1.657

1.370

1-905

1.792

1-874

0452

Mar.

April

3.086

0.827

1-395

1-455

1.965

3-899

2.ogo

0-917

3.026

0.389

April

Aiay

2.656

2.134

0.980

1.400

1-393

1.258

1-371

1.269

2-739

0.890

May

fun(

' 1.847

3.084

1.007

2.883

1.81 1

2-973

0-375

2.160

2 970

2-470

June

July

4.989

3.678

2-595

3-849

1-585

3-197

3.002

5-023

' 0.927

0.89s

July

Aue.

1-580

1-334

3-380

1.060

2.258

4.257

6.057

1.71 1

3-729

1.644

Aug.

Sep:

2.614

0.480

0.706

0.107

2.546

2.080

0.518

1-465

0.854

2-333

Sept.

(,)a.

1.819

0.295

1.458

1,866

1.628

1.528

1-954

1.0J2

1.500

2-531

oa.

Nov.

1-338

1.090

2, 1 1 2

i.q6o

3-138

0.975

1.498

0.9 12

0 9H0

2.134

Nov.

Dec.

1.161

3.127

3-865

2.218

1.408

0.944

2.175

1-386

1.085

1.613

Dec.

27.158

21.147

22.203

19.857

21.245

25.186

23-683.

21-594

20.939I18.285

Annual

i

■[ 225 ]

Annual quantities of rain at Lyndon.

1761

1762

1763 '

1764 1

1765

1766

1767 1

1768

1769 1 1770

• •

0.191

1.727

0.600

3*984

»*435

0.164

3*079

2.834

1*194

0.852

Jan.

1..

, 1.469

1 0.968

2.882

i*i34

1.240

2.102

2.002

3.062

1.556

0.736

Feb.

. «L •

0.529

- 1*527

0.919

0.829

2.767

0.785

1.052

0-391

: 0.693

: 1*934

Mar.

il

, 0.490

^:595

0.692

1.524

2.1 1 1

1*955

0.845

2.023

. 0.843.

1 .906

April

yv

2.035

0*738

2-3P4

1.095

0.406

3.286.

2.123

1.622

. i*45i

1*553

May

lie

•

i 3*487

0*764.

• 2.4,26

2.182

0.788

2.279

2.163

4.521

4 769.

2.765

June

i ;r

^ 1

, 0.566

I.1 19

5*657

4.624

0.582

2.363

3.682

2.402

. 1*994

1.788

July

];v

3.614

3*615

2.929

1.770

2.805

0.409,

1*527

1.720

, 2.36a

2.270

Aug.

, 2.349

1*525

3*307

0.830

0.696

1.080

. 0.687

3.025

2.583

1.223

Sept.

.•

3*685

4-.I.54

1.606

1*359.

4.842

0.829.

2.822

’ 3*119

1.202

3.. 1 14

U6t.

1*443

0.923

• 1-894

1.765

1.281

1.938.

0.926

1 4.040

1.224

7.818

Nov.

: 1*541'

. 0.233

3*525

2.398

1.048

1.776.

0.4C0

2.146

1.608,

2.613

Dec.

21.399

71.888

28.741

123*494

20.001

18.966

21.308

30 905

21.477 {28.566

Three dried feafons from one month to twelve.

II

22

S3

<4

S5

6S

T7

85

9)

It

ft

Month

Sept. 43

Jan. and Feb. 40
Dec. 42-Feh. 43
Jan. — April 40
Jan. — May 40
Feb. — July 41
Dec. 42~June43
061. 39“May 40
0£l. 3Q— June 40
Sept. 39-June 40
Aug. 42-June 43
Aug. 40-July 41

0,008

0.31O

0.9,34

1.814

2.85c

4.136

4.626

6.579

8.CO9

9.912

M-367;

^3-427Pept

Mar.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Jan.

Jan,

Mov.

oa.

Sept.

42

42 Jan. 43

— Mar. 40
May 4!

— May 41
42—May 43

— July 41

— Aug. 41
36-July 37
40-July 37
40-July 41
59‘.-Aug, 60

0,055

0.569

0,942

I. 897
2.985
4.247
5.224
6.857
8.865
10.174

II. 794

Feb. 40
Feb and
Mar. ' —
Dec. 42-
Dec. 42-
Jan. to
Dec. 39-
Nov. 42-
Sept. 59-
Aug.42-
Aug. 39-

Mar. 4c
May 41

-Mar, 4c

-April 4':
June 4C

-June 4c
-June 4'
-May 6(

4.093! July 39-jui

0.060

0.69!

1.279

2.U7

3*379

4.280

5*930

7*cM'5

9.084

10.988

12.262

14.227

VoL. LXL

Og

Three

[ 226 ]

Three wetteft feafons, from one month to twelve, except 1763, 1768, and I770>

which arc below.

t \

1 Month

July

36

6.550

Aug.

37

6.300

2

Aug.

Sept, 37

9-765

July

-Aug. 57

9-059

3

Aug.

Sept.Oa. 37

1 1.790

July

Aug

•. Sept.36

IC.590

4

July

—

oa. 36

12.940

April

—

July 51

12.578

5

April

—

Aug. 56

15-584

Mar.

—

July 51

14.624

6

April

—

Sept. 56

17.664

April

—

Sept. 51

16.772

7

April

—

oa. 56

19.(92

Mar.

—

Sept. 51

18.818

8

Mar.

—

oa. 51

20.637

Mar.

—

oa. 56

20.562

9

Jan.

—

Sept. 51

22.840

Jan.

—

Sept. 56

21.739

10

Dec,

50-

-Sept. 5 1

24.667

Nov.

55-

-Aug. 56

24.205

11

Nov.

50-

-Sept. 5 1

26.791

Nov.

55-

-Sept. 56

26.285

12

Nov.

50-

-oa. 51

28.610

Sept.

55’

-Aug. 56

28.379

Aug. 57
July Aug.
June July Aug.
June — Sept.
Aug. — Dec.

37-Jan.
May — Nov.
July ^7-Feb.
July 5y-Mar.
Nov. 47— Aug.
Aug. 37-June

Aug. 57“J“*y

36
56
5^

37

38

bi

6.057

9.050

10.427

12.507

14.190

5'978

17.179

58|i9-i3i

58120.923

48

38

58

22.175

23-545

27.290

Wetnefs of the Seafons in

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9
io
1 X

12

Month

1763

July

July Aug.
July — Sept.
June — Sept.
May — Sept.
July — Dec.
July 63-Jan.64
June — Jan.
May — Jan.
May — Feb.
May — Mar.

5-657

8.586
1 1.893

14-319

16.623

18.918

22.902

25-328

27.632

28.766

29-595

Feb, 63-Jan.6432.125

June

oa.

Sept.

Sept.

June

June

June

May

April

Feb.

Jan.

Jan,

1768

Nov.

- Nov.

- Dec.

- oa.

- Nov.

- Dec.

- Dec.

- Dec.

- Nov.

- Nov.

- Dec.

4.521

7-*S9

io*xh4

12.330

14.787

18.827

20.973

22.595

24.618

25.925

28.759

30-905

Nov.

oa.

oa.

Sept.

Aug.

June

June

May

April

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

1770

Nov.

Dec.

■ Dec.
• Dec.

Nov.

Dec.

Dec.

Dec.

■Dec.

■ Dec.
Dec.

7.818

10.922

13-545

14.768
1 7.038

18.978
21.591

23-144

25.044

26.978
27.714
28.56^

XXVIII. Ohfer-

C 227 ]

XXVIII. A fecond Letter from Mr.'Q^ixlitr
to the Prefdent^ 07t the fame SubjeB ; to-
gether with the Determination of the Laii-
titude of Stamford, in Lincolnfliire.

S I R,

Lyndon, June 4, 1771.

Read June 13,

1771-

I AM glad the letter I fent to you for the
Royal Society, was thought worth their
acceptance. I have, on the other fide, fent, as you
defired, the height my rain meafurer ftands above
the ground, which, if you think proper, may be
added to my former letter. Mr. Edward Lawrence,
who obferved the rain at Stamford part of the time
which I have done here, generally found more water
in his meafurer which flood on the ground, than I
did in mine; but I cannot depend on his obfervations„
becaufe I have been told the fervants at the houfe
ufed to play him tricks, and pour into his ciftern
more water than fell in, to which a thing on the
ground is very liable.

Mr. Lawrence alfo obferved the latitude of Stam-
ford with a quadrant of Mr. Sifibn’s making ; and as
it is ufeful to preferve fuch things, I have extracted
the obfervations from his book, and fhewn the lati-
tude deduced from them.

My rain ciftern has all along flood on the top of a
wall, where another meets it at right angles. The
top of the ciflern on the North fide, is y feet 3 inches ;

G g 2 on

[ 228 ]

on the Southwefl: fide, 8 feet 6 Inches ; and on the
Southeaft fide, lo feet above the ground; it is all
open Southward for 25 yards; the North fide is an
orchard, but no tree hangs over it.

The latitude of Mr. Neal’s houfe, at the South
end of St. Martin’s, adjoining to Stamford in Lin-
colnfliire, as taken by Mr. Edward Lawrence, in 1 736. ,

ift. By the Sun’s meridian Altitude Incl. of Eclipt. 23® 28' 20".

^0 f /r

May I. Alt. 5? 37 0

0 ’s Decl. N. 18 16 15

0 f /f

June 18 Alt. 60 35 p
Decl. N. 23 14 28

0 f tr

Aug. 7 Alt. 50 19 50
Decl. N. 12 59 16

Alt. of the Equaf. 37 20 45

Equator 37 20 32

Equator 37 20 34

6 56 47 26

19 27 11

July 7 58 20 30

20 59 16

II 49 0 18

II 39 25

37 20 li

37 21 14

37 20 53

13 58 24 30

21 3 10

10 57 46 53

20 25 36

18 46 34 0

9 *3 7

37 21 20

37.21 17

37 20 53

21 60 28 21

23 8 36

15 56*44 0

19 22 45

Sept. 8 38 38 30

I 18 I

37 19 55

37.21 15

37 20 29

June I 60 33 32

23 12 24

17 56 16 26

18 55 16

9 38 16 0

0 54 34

37 21 8

37 2l 10

37 2I 26

2 60 37 2

23 15 49

20 55 33 0

18 11 50

•

37 21 13

37 21 10

grcatcft 37 21 26

mean 37 20 55

'eaft 37 19 55

9 60 49 C

23 28 12

26 53 58 0

16 36 56

37 20 48

37 21 4

2d, By the Meridian Altitude of the Pole ftar.

May

o

f u

C 229 3

O / //

May 14, Alt. 50 33 o 0£3-. 2g, below 50 33 30
below the Pole 2 5 45 . above 54 44 30

Latitude 52 38 45 Latitude 52 39 o

Mean Latitude by the Sun , 5^ 39 5

by three obfervations of the Pole ftar 52 38 55

Mean Latitude of the S. of St. Martin’s 52 39 o

St. Mary’s, the middle of Stamford, is half a "1

mile further North,' fherdfore its Latitude is 2°

I remain. Sir,

With all proper relpe(5h,

. i - i ■ >

Your humble fervant,

I

> J •

Tho. Barker.,

r •

XXIX. Oh/eri

[ 230 3

XXIX. Obfervations on fame Bivalve InfeSlsy
fou7td in co7mnon Water] hy Mr, Muller,
of the new Academy of Sciences in Bavaria,
and the Oecono?nical . Society at Bern ;
communicated by R. H. A. Bennet, Efq\
F,R,S. • """ ■

Read April i8,^ H E name, of Bivalve is given
^77«* oj^jy fQ thole, fliell-filli, whofe

houfes are compofed of ‘two parts, fuch as mufcles
and oyfters. Few of thefe are to be met with in
frelh water, whereas a vad: number are inhabitants
of the fea. I am acquainted with no more than four
different fpecies, like the fea bivalve ; they are found in
the waters of Fridrickfdal, near Copenhagen, and
amongft them one has hitherto efcaped the re-
fearches of conchiliogids.

In return, nature has liberally ffocked the fame
waters with fmall infedts, much more perfedt than the
inhabitants of the fea-lhells, and likewife provided
with a double Ihell. It is fufficiently known, that
mufcles and oyfters are animals extremely fimple ;
lince they want feveral of the mod perfedl organs,
and confequently enjoy life in an incomplete manner.
The want of eyes, arms, legs, &c. obliges them to
lead an idle life, deprived of all the advantages,
• which

6

[ 231 ]

which arife from fight and motion. Nature, from
which they received an habitation fufficient to protect
them from external injuries, feems to have fixed for
^ life their abode to one dark fpot. Our bivalve infeds,
on the contrary, by opening their two folding gates,
enjoy both fight and motion, alternately dipping in .
the mud, and darting though their element the water ;
whenever they meet with bad company, they hide
themfelves in their fhelis, and (hut up the valves,
which force and diftrefs attempt in vain to force
open.

I have difcovered feveral different fpecies of thefe
animals in the waters of Friderickfdal, one only of
which is known to the naturalifts. Mr. "Baker, of
the Royal Society of London, is the firft, that I
know of, who mentions itj “ he fays^, that the

infedl fwims very fail; that it procures its nourifh- '
‘‘ ment by means of a whirlpool, which it raifes in
“ the water by means of its armsj that, upon meet-
ing with a folid body, it flops itfelf by means of
its feet; that upon the flighted: touch it fhrinks into
“ its fhell ; and laflly that it bears much refemblance
“ to a bivalve fhell-filh.” To this defcription he joins
a figure, which, though imperfefl •f*, reprefents the
infedl. Linnaiis J, and Geoffroi || call it the Mofiocky
and without taking notice that Mr. Baker knew it
already, they obferve that its antenna are compofed
of fmall white threads ; and that the fhell is oblong,
fmooth, and greyifh, round on one fide, flat on the

* Microfcope made cafy. o. - * t*v "

+ Tab. XV. f. viii. '

X Fauna Suecicay 1761; 2060.

II Hiftoire des infedtes, tom. ii. p. 657. 4*.

Other,

C 232 ]

olhef^ and nearly of the fame lize at each end.
None of the above-mentloped writers have had the
fatisfaflion of infpedting the inhabitant of the Ihell,
which indeed is very difficult. Npw as this infedl:
bears a flrong likenefs to the new fpecies, which I
am about to defcribe, we ffiall take a view of both '
together.

As I was walking in the month of November 1767
along the ffiore, out of the Weftern gate of Copen-
hagen, I faw in a ditch of' freffi water, a conferva %
which I carried home with me. I imihediately put^
a lump of it to dry upon the, flove j after which,
upon Ipoking at it through a glafs, I difcovered here
and there feveral fmall white points,^ very fmooth
and ffiining.' Thefe I took up upon the point of a
pin, and on a clofer vievy found them to be two
valved ffiells hardly difcerjnible. The hinge, toge-
ther with the opening and figure of them, juffified
my opinion* I feparated the valves, and the rifing
part of the hinge to the edge ffiewed them to be
ffiells. I regretted that the infedf , a fight of which
was abfolutely necelTary, to rank them among the
teftaceous kind, h^d been defirpyed by' the heat of
the flove. The frofi; came on, and prevented ray
making any further enquiries* I ffiewed my fliells
to three naturalills of known abilities, ,whp agreed in
afiliring me that they were of the mulcle kind. I
had ftill fome, doubt arifing from tjie recol-
ledllon of the infedt above-mentioned •f*., which I
had found formerly; and I put off the dccifion, till

* Flora Fridrickfdalina, I016.
t Fauna Fridrickfd. 851*

I had

[■ 233 3

I had feen the inhabitant alive. In the beginning
of April 1768, ,as foon as the froft broke, I got
fome more ot the co?7fervas^ which I djllblved in a glafs
of water without diicovering the bivalve 3 nor had I
any better fuccefs upon trying the effedl of the
flove. During the fpring, I continued my fearch
in the country, and found feveral fpecies of bivalve in-
fedls, which led me to think the inhabitant of the fliell
was like them. At laft, in autumn, after I had given
up my hopes, I found it in the Park, at the bottom
of a ditch full of Handing waters. The tranfparency
of the fliell gave me an opportunity of examining
the inhabitant ; and the examination cleared up the
doubt I had about its fpecies. '

The new fliell is a bivalve; white, fmooth, fliln-
ing, and tranfparent, without the lead: fpot, hair, or
down. Its figure is oblong, rounded at both ends,
and the hinge fomewhat finuated at the opening,
and convex at the fides, in fuch a manner as, when
feen out of water, it is very like the feeds of fome
plants ; and this is common to all the fpecies of this
genus. The fubftanceis coriacious, or like hardened
glue ; thin, and very brittle when dryed. When
feen by the microfcope, fome of them appear very like
net work. The valves are equal, a little broader at
one end than at the other, and fomewhat flatted at
the dope ; they are not however more elevated at
the opening thari at the hinge, but rather the con-
trary ; for on the infide they diew another edge, lefs
elevated than that of the outfide, and which grow'S lefs
and lefs towards the hinge. I call by this name the
place, where the valves join, though I have not
been able to difcover either the membrane or teeth,
VoL, LXI. PI h which

[ 234 ]

which feem to (hut. the' valves in common niells,-
They are however flriclly joined to this place
during the animal’s life; which makes one think
there is a ligament at the tail of the inhabitant, by
which he Ihuts himfelf in. The length of the
fheil is half a line, and its greater breadth above a
quarter of a line. That fpecies mentioned by the
above writers is three times longer before it comes
to its full growth. It is hairy, though fmooth to
the naked eye, more indented at the dopes where-
the valves are projedling, and more deprefied towards
the hinge ; it is opaque, and of a changeable colour.
Some of thefe infers are of a light and others of
a dark green, marked with an oblique ftripe of a
lighter than the reft.' Some of thele are bright, and
others grey and dirty ; but the down with which the
fliell is covered, and to which the dirt (ticks, is only
vilible with the microfcope. I have examined feveral
of thefe, at different ages, and at different times of
the year, and have found them all rough ; whereas-
every one of thofe of the new fpecies is fmooth. I
fliall call this new fpecies the white fmooth bivalve,,
to diftinguifh it from another, the fliell of which
is white and rough ; and from tliat of the above
mentioned authors, which I call i\\Q fo^’dif in allufioir.
to the dirty flaell in which it is often found.

I have already obferved how difficult it is to dif-
cover the fliape of the inhabitants of thefe bivalves r
however, the tranfparency of fmooth white one,
gave me an opportunity of examining the lateral
part of its inhabitant with the microfcope ; and a
happy accident, by which I catched the Jbnlid
one at reft upon the back of its own valves, en-
abled

[ 235 ] ,

abled me to examine its fore part througli a glafs>.

I fufped; that it was fhedding its fkin, and for this
reafon was quieter, and had its valves more open
than ufually ; be that as it will, I fliall now defcribe
the remarkable animal I obferved.

The head is broad towards the bottom, but de-
creafes gradually in bulk, and terminates in a taper-
ing point ; it .has on each fide a fmall long white
thread, in the form of antennce. The animal fecms
to lower and raife the point at plealhre.

The antennc^^ are about the length of the fliell,
and reft on a tranfparent cylindrical balis, which
ends in white long capillary filaments. They ap- '
pear to be ftuck on at the extremity of the head,
but in fail: are tied to the fides, as I have often ob-
ferved the animal to lower the point of its head to-
wards its breaft, without the antejince following the
motion. The fmooth white bivalve has five capil-
lary threads at each a?itenna, four of which are at
top, and the fifth fomewhat lower. The fordid ap*

pears to have ten at each mite/ma ; in feveral, the
antennce appear yellowida, and their bafis feems to
confift of four rings.

It is by means of thefe aJttennce^ which are real
fins, that the animal changes its pofition, from one
place to another, being able to move them feveral
ways j when it has a mind to move faft, they are firft
extended ftreightways, and appear like two brifties ;
in an infiant the threads are unfolded, and the ani-
mal fwims with great quicknefs. As for walking,
it fometimes joins the threads, fomctimes unfolds
only a finglc one, and fometimes fcattcrs them about
all together 3 fometimes it bends them between the

H h 2 valves.

[ ]

valves, which are opened towards the place of the
eye; it often hides one or both of them under the
breaft between the four legs ; thefe antennce feein
to afford as great an amufement to the animal, as
they do to the fpeclators.

At the place where the head joins the body, to-
wards the border of the hinge of the fliell, one
may perceive a little black fpot, \vhich is the ani-
mal’s eye. This extraordinary fituation of the organ
of fight upon the neck feems ahoniflfing ; every
thing that is new is fo, but the furprize arifes only
from the narrownefs of our ideas. Many people
would give very fpecious reafons for this polition ;
others might fuppofe, that if the Creator had confulted
us upon the matter, the eyes fliouldhave been placed
in a quite contrary pofition, towards the extremity of
the head. How childifli and weak would this be !
What God does, is undoubtedly mod perfedl ; and
what he orders the bed pofiible : but what we term
final caufes, are feldom any more than conjectures,
though fometimes they happen unexpectedly to be
true. Some aquatic infeCts have the eye in the fore-
head, others at the bottom, on the fore or back part of
the head, at the fide or under it ; nay there are
fome, whofe head confids of the eye only. The
plain reafon to be given of the different pofitions of
the principal organs, is at the fame time the mod
probable, or at lead the mod within our compafs.
The Governor of the world is pleafed to give in-
finite variety to his works, and only obferves the
laws of uniformity in the generation of each didinCt
fpecies,

6 The

[ 237 ] .

The bread jets out a good deal towards the open-
ing of the (hell, and conftitutes the greater part of
the animal’s body. The feet, mouth, and little
bridles are placed upon it.

There are four feet, whofe pofition refembles a good
deal that of quadrupeds, only that their reciprocal
bent is more marked. The two foremod are at the
top of the bread, in the part where it appears mod
doped. I took them a great while for feelers, be-
caufe the animal employs them to touch things with;
but another ufe it makes of them, together with the dif-
coveryof fometrue bridles, makes mejudge them to be
legs. They are white, tranfparent, and jointed, bent
towards the back legs, and terminated by two points
in the daape of claws. The joints have very thin
hair on the inferior part. The two hind legs are
tied to the lower part of the bread. They are
longer than the fore legs. Each joint has a couple
of Imall threads at the end, and each leg terminates
in a claw fomewhat lengthened ; as to the red, they
are like the fore legs, and bend towards them.

The bivalve infeft makes ufe of its claws, not
only to walk upon the conferva^ fome parts of which'
are true labyrinths, and others foreds to him ; but
likewife to remove the dirt, to feize its prey, and
to faden itfelf to other animals of its kind, or to
neighbouring bodies.

Under the bread, and near the fore feet, is a black
fpot, which is the infeed’s mouth ; it is covered with
a fmall tranfparent Ikin, which opens in the
middle, and fhews a couple of jaws, marked with
a very black fpot at the place where they join. Be-
tween thefejaws hang very fmall white beards like

thofe

t ^3S ] .

tiiofe of the tipuh ; and above thefe again, there ap-
pears a fmali black tranfveiTal line. About the mouth
there are feveral other little beards, fomewhat in the
fliape of feet, which are conftantly in motion.

There is no doubt but that thefe ferve to procure
a free paifage to the water, and to carry the food to the
animal’s mouth j which eniployment we can by no
means affigm to the hinder legs, as Pvlr. Baker,
Y/ho did not fee the parts concealed between the
valves of the fhell, has done.

The belly is almoft as broad as the bread, but has
fcarce above half its length. The breadth decreafes
towards the tail. When feen from before, the belly
appears compofed of two conical lobes, marked in
the middle with a black circle. It moves alternately
to, and retires from, the bread.

The tail comes out between thefe two lobes ; it is
of the fame length with the body, and confids of
two dreight white and tranfparent canals, which are
joined together till towards the end, where they fe-
parate, and each terminates in two curved points.
Towards the middle of the tail, there is a little hard
bridle, upon cadi of the canals. The animal com-
monly keeps this hid under his bread and belly j nor
have I ever feen it extend it, unleis when upon the
point of wanting the necelfiry water, when the
animal brings it out, to put himfelf in an eaher dtu-
ation j after which, it is immediately drawn in back
again.

Upon the back of the in fed, are like wife feen two
large round bodies, which I take to be the ovaria.

No body, after this defcription, will dilpute the fu-
periority which our bivalve infed has over the bivalve

IhelMidi,

[ 239 1

fliell-fifli, by the wonderful conftrudlon of Its body,
and the advantages which arife from it. But the differ-
ence of make is not the only one, lince the fliell
too is formed in a quite different manner.

The feveral hypothefes of naturalifcs, on the for-
mation of fhells, are known } fome will have them
increafe by intuljujception^ and others by juxtapofition.
This latter opinion, which M. de Reaumur patronized,,

. and which nature feemed to juftify, became, in con-
lequence, the moft general ; but if the friends of the
other fyftem wcrethought to lofe their caufe,it was only
for want of obferving with a fufficient degree of ac-
curacy the operations of nature, whofe variety would
have furnifhed them with inftances in their favour.-
Our bivalve infedt offers one, which the defertion of
the old fliell and the formation of a new one, in pro-
portion as the animal grows, put beyond a doubt.^
The fadl itfelf appears, not only from the obfervatioa
of empty fhells of different fizes, which are to be
met with in waters, and are nothing more than the
fpoils of our bivalve infedts; but, from the lingular
good fortune I had, in feeing one of the animals drip
itfelf, entirely, in my prefence, of the membrane of
its fhell, and of the exterior parts of its body, and fliew
itfelf at lad before me abfolutely renewed. The
exiivice both of the died and the animal’s body were-
tranfparent as the brighted c^’yftal. The joints of
the anteniKt^ the bridles, the feet, the fmalled hairs,
were more didinguidaable than in the animal itfelf..

How infinitely fmall are the organs, which, hid as it
were in dieaths and cafes, only become vifible when
they are magnified fome thoufands of times ! and
•how many are there which efcape the bed microfeope!

Ill

[ 240 ]

In the cleared: water that we drink, one can often fee
with the naked eye fpoils of this infeCt, joined to
thofe of its fliell, floating along, like fine white
cotton.

This adhefion proves that the body of the animal
is joined to the fliell by fome ligaments, which
poflibly too may keep the valves to the hinge, as I
conjedlured above.

I have not yet fucceeded in difcovering the organs
of generation ; nor have I feen the infedts in the adt of
copulation (which cannot be lefs extraordinary than
that of the other fpecies of the ?no?iocult) : fo that I
can fay nothing of their fex, 1 have obferved that
they lay eggs, but this does not prevent their being
likewife viviparous: I have feen other fpecies of
monocuUy fome of which had their ovaria full of
eggs, and others of little live bcafts, which at times'
they hatched, and at others put down in the fliell.

The fordid fpecies is the mofl: commonly met
with j one finds it all the year, even in the. time of
froft, from under which I have often drawn it.

It is found in all pure waters, and even in the little
ditches which are expofed to be overflowed by the
fea. I have preferved it from May to November, full
of life and motion, in a glafs of water, which I did
not renew the whole time.

The fmooih white iiifedl lives at the bottom of
marflies, and pools, in which the conferva I have
mentioned grow's.

As the entomologifls have ranked the bivalve infedfs
under the genus of the ?nonocidi^ I am naturally led
-to fay fomething about this genus.

Syflema-

[ 24-1 ]

Syflematical writers have confounded aquatic infedis,
very different, both in fpecies and genus, under the
general arbitrary name of MonGculus, They have
not been contented with giving the lame denomi-
nation to feveral fpecics, whole properties and attri-
butes did not at all correfpond with the known dia-
raders of the genus, but have likewife given as Ipc-
cilic marks thole which nature tells us are generic. I
liiall only mention at prefent the jlrdid, which farnilhes
me with a fl:riking example. M., Geoffroy, as well
as Linnaeus, has ranked it under the genus of the
monoculi. According to the latter, the generic
charader of this, is to have two eves and twelve-
feet, hx of which are fixed • whereas the former
gives it only one eye and fix feet. Befides the differ-
eiice as to the number of eyes, my defeription proves
that the number of feet does not agree with this
account. Let me add, that the particular make of
the antenna;^ the feet, the tail, and the whole body,,
give this infeff a claim to form a genus of its own.
As to the fpecific definition, Antennis 7nuhipliclhtis
capillaceis^ tejia bivahi, and vehatever elfe is laid of
it, if one excepts the colour only, belong equally to.
all my fpecies with capillary antemue, and conftitu-te
rather a defi.itition of the whole genus, tlian of a.
particular fpecies.

The fame miflake is to he met with in feveral other
fpecies brought under this genus ; and the realbn-
of it is that the authors, not havinc^ known more than
four of all the different fpecies, which I have reckoned
up in the following table, have generalized the cha-
raders of thefe four, though they were not, well
acquainted even with thefe.

Vol.-LXL I i The.

r 2 4 1

The Kvatcr pan'of^ which is the heft known, both
on account of its colour, fometimes red, which makes
the vulgar believe that the water is clian2:ed into blood,
and from the works of S‘'ccffer Bakery Geoffro)\ and
Swammerdam y is reprefented by the latter as herma-
phrodite, though it be different in fex, and have the
parts of generation double.

The knowledge of thefe infedls has been almoft
entirely negledled, though in reality very interefting ;
not to fpeak of their wonderful make, the difference
of their motion, and their fingular mode of copulation,
are worthy of our enquiries. Let it be fudicient to fay,
that we Iwallow them and their ftiiells, either living
or dead, both in our viduals and drink ; fo that I
ihould not be furprized, if fome time or other they
were found in our inteftines, or in thofe of beafts, and
feveral of our difeafes attributed to them.

I propofe giving the defeription and hiftory of thde
infedfs, with their figures drawn to the life, as feen
by the microfeope: this I fliall do in a work which
I am projefling. To render it more compleat, I beg
the favour of all naturalifts to communicate their ob«
fervations, which I ftiall not omit to give them the
credit of, and at the fame time, if they ftiould find
any other fpecies, to fend them to me. It is very eafy
to tranfport thefe infeds, as they live very well in a
fmall quantity of water for feveral weeks, without a
necefiity of a change. With thefe hopes I have
added a lift of the feveral fpecies, which I have met
with in the waters of Friderikftall. It is after
having examined and compared them, at different in-
tervals, at all ages, and in all feafons of the year, that
I venture to pronounce upon their fpecific differences.

1 ftiall

C 2+3 ]

I fhall take another opportunity of fixing the general
ones.

Gens Monogulorum,
aquarurn Friderichfdalenjium^
a Conchacei.,

^ Antennis capillaribus fuperis : capite abfcondlto.

1. Antennis binis ; tefta ovata, tomentofa. Fig.

V, VI.

2. Antennis binis : tefia ovata fufGa, ciliata.

3. Antennis binis: tefta lubovata, candidiflima.

4. Antennis binis : tefta reniformi, pellucida. Fig. I,

II, 111.

5.. Antennis binis : tefta fubreniformi, fufea : fafeiis-

tribus albis.,

6. Antennis binis : tefta elongata j fafeia viridi.

7. Antennis binis : tefta antice truncata : ftrigis

nigris.,

8.. Antennis binis : tefta globofa, glaberrima.,

9. Antennis binis : tefta globofa,, fafeiis tribus nigris,.

* * Antennis capillaribus inferis :. capite exferto..

10. Antennis binis: cauda inflexa : tefta globofa..
j I. Antennis binis : cauda inflexa : tefta oblonea.

O

N.B.Duas tantum antennas omni ratione prolpicere
licuit, etiamfi quatuor adefle vix dubitem.
12. Antennis quaternis : cauda truncata : tefta

globofa.

I i 2

13. An^

C 244 ]

Antennis quaternls : cauda inflexa lamellata :
tdu vcntricoia.

14. Antennis quaternis; cauda ereda : tefla clongata.
1 Antennis quaternis : cauda inflexa : tcfla antiee
aculeata.

16. Antennis quaternis: cauda inflexa ferrulata :

tefta ventricolb, mutica.

17. Antennis quaternis : cauda redda : tefta univalvi.

N. B. Hi potius binoculi Sc ultimus quidem
proprii generis.

* * Antennis ramofis: capite manifefto.

18. Antennis dichotomis : cauda inflexa: tefta Tub-

rhombea mutica.

Pulex non caudatus Schseff. monog. t. i.f. 9.

19. Antennis dichotomis : cauda inflexa: tefta gibba

quadrangulari.

20. Antennis dichotomis : cauda inflexa verrucofa :

tefta poftice aculeata.

Pulex caudatus Schteff. monog. t. i. f. i — 8.

21. Antennis dichotomis : cauda inflexa : tefta antiee

ferrulata, poftice aculeo longo.

22. Antennis dichotomis : cauda inflexa ; tefta antiee

ciliata : corniculis porredtis longis.

23. Antennis dichotomis : cauda inflexa: tefta antiee

pilofa: corniculis pendulis.

24. Antennis dichotomis: cauda inflexa appendicu-

lata: tefta poftice acuta.

25. Antennis dichotomis: cauda inflexa appendicu-

lata : tefta antiee aculeata.

26. Antennis dichotomis : cauda deflexa: tefta mu-

tica : corniculis porreSfis brevibus.

27. An-

/

ly^-. rm.

[ 245 3

27* Antennis dlchotomis : cauda redta : tefta cvata
mutica.

28. Antennis trichotomis : cauda reSa: tefla angulis

anticis fetiferis.

^ b CataphracfU.

^ Antennis binis'.

29. Antennis binis fimplicibus : cauda redta bifurca,

30. Antennis binis fimplicibus : cauda curva bifurca,

laciniis pendulis.

31. Antennis binis fimplicibus : cauda bifeta.

32. Antennis binis fimplicibus rigidis : cauda bifida.

33. Antennis binis dichotomis : cauda inflexa.

* Antennis quaternis.

34. Antennis quaternis fimplicibus : cauda redla

bifida.

Baker microfcop. t. 15. f. i — 4.

Hafni^£, 24 Nov. 1768. Otto Fridericus Muller.

. Acad. Csef. N.C. Sciemiarum Boicae,

ac Societ. Oecon. Bernenf.

Explanation of the Bivalve Infedf, Tab. VIL

Fig. I. The fmooth white infedl as it is naturally.
Fig. 11. The fame, feen through the magnifier.

Fig. 111. The fame magnified by the microfcope.

The tranfparent fhell flievvs the inhabitant
lying at its full length ; with the antenn^^y
legs and tail, out of the valves.
a The edges of the two valves.
b The antennce,
c The eye.

^The

[ ?+6 ]

d The head.

e The ovaria. -

f The fore legs,
g The hind legs.
b The tail.

i The fore part of the bread:, where the beardi
and mouth are placed.
k The belly.

Fig. IV. The fordid fliell of its natural fizc.

Fig. V. The lame, as leen through the glals.

Fig. VI. The fame, with the Ihell a little opened,, and
more magnified.
a The rough IhcIl.
b The oblique ftripe.
c The antcmia,
d I’he fore legs.
e The hind legs.

/ The mouth and joints.
g The tail.

Fig.. VII. The fame, with the ifiell (hut.

XXX. A

[ H7 3

XXX. A Letter to the Rev, M. Lort, B. D,
F. R. S. contammg an Account of a fingu-
lar Fijh,^ from the South Seas, by the
Rev, Mr, Michael Tyfon.

Reverend Sir,

Read May 9> ^ | H E Rev. Mr. Farmer, Fellow of
1771- Jl^ Emanuel college, Cambridge, very
obligingly lent me a curious fifh, preferved in fpirits,
which was brought by his relation Commodore
Byron, from the new-difcovered iflands in the South
Sea. As I have the greatell; reafon to believe that it
has never been figured or defcribed by any author, and
indeed never before feen in Europe j I have taken
the liberty to fend you the following defcription and
drawing of it (Tab. VII. fig. viii.). Icould not count
the branchioftegous rays, without greatly injuring the
fpecimen j but there is no doubt of its being one of
the Perea genus of Linnaaus, It is called by the
Commodore the Zebra fifli, he not knowing its
proper name. The drawing is exaftly meafured
from the real fifla, and is in every part of the fame
fize.

Pifcis

[ 248 ]

Pifcls thoracicus.

Perea * ^ ^

CAPUT obtufum, antice nudum. O3 afeen-
dens, labiis carnofis marginatum, mandibula inferiore
longiore. Dentes in maxilla utraque asquales, acerofi,
approximati. Sutura maxillariim utrinque obliqua,
dentata.

Opercula branchiariim fpinis ferrato-ciliata. Nares
unic^, rotundae, marginata?.

Corpus ovatum, comprelTum, rquamofiim.

Pinnae ball fquamolae, margine nigrae, ramentis
ultra radios porredlis. Dorfales 2 fubunitae : prima,
rotundata, radiis 10 fpinofis, lecunda angulata, radiis
16 mollibus. Pedlorales rolundatas radiis 14. Ven-
trales radiis 6. Analis angulata radiis 14, anticis 2
fpinolis. Caudalis rotundata 18.

Color grifeus. Fafciae 6 nigrae tranfverrae totum
pifeem cingunt : prima per caput ducitur, pone

oculos ; fecunda per operculorum njarginem ; tertia
angulata, obliqua, inter pinnam primam dorli atque
anum ; quarta redta ab unione pinnarum dorlalium
ad fpatium pone anum ; quinta arcuata inter pinnam
dorlalem fecundam ct pinnam analem j fexta redliui-
cula in bafi pinnae caudalis.

Diagnofis.

o

C 249 3

DIagnolis,

Perea ^ Plnnis dorfalibus fubunius, cauda ro-

tundatd, corpore ovato : fafeiis 6
tranfverlis nigris*

I am.

Reverend Sir,

Your moft obedient
humble fervant>

Bennet Coll* Camb,
March ii, 1771.

Michael Tyfon.

Vgl. LXh

lik

XXXI. An-

C 250 ]

XXXI. An Account of in Derby-

fliire ; By J. Lloyd, Efq\ with fome Ohfer-
vat ions upon it^ by Edward King, Efqv
F. R. s: ; in a Letter to Matthew Maty,.
M» Dn Sec,. R, S*

To Edward King, Efqj,

Dear Sir,

Read Feb. 2 1 , 1 H E inclofed is ’(ome account of

Jl Elden Hole, in Derbyfliire j withi
the obfervations I made, upon being let down into»
it, in June laft, at the time I was at Buxton-wells.
If you think it any way curious, as a new account,,
you will be pleated to communicate it to the Royali
Society,

I am, Dear Sir,

Your much obliged

humble fervant,

J. Lloyd.

Soughton in Flintfhlre,
Auguft4, 1770,

A De-

C 251 ]

A Defcription

of Elden Hole, in Derbyshire.

Having often heard, and feen, feveral account?
of the unfadiomable depth of Elden Hole, in Der-
byfhire, and being in that neighbourhood, I was
inclined ta make what enquiries I could about that
noted place, of the adjoining inhabitanrs j who in-
formed me, that about fourteen or fifteen years ago,
the owner of the paflure in which this chafm is
fituated, having loft feveral cattle, had agreed with
two men for to fill it up ; but they, finding no vifible
effedls of their labour, after having fpent fome days
in throwing down many loads of ftones, ventured to
be let down into it, to fee if their undertaking was
pradicable ; when upon finding at the bottom a pro-
digious large cavern, they defifted from their work,
as it would have been almoft impoflible to have pro-
cured a fufHcient quantity of ftones to have filled it
up.

Upon enquiry of one of thefe men whether there
were any damps at the bottom ; and being affured in
the negative ; I procured two ropes of forty fa-
thom nearly in length, and eight men to let me
down.

As the entrance is fo well known, I fhall fay no-
thing further of it, than merely, that it lies near
North and South in its direction lengthways j and that
the opening from one of thofe points to the other, at

K k 2 the

[ 252 3

the lurfaccy Is about thirty yards, and eight or nine
yards broad.

For the firft twenty yards I was let down (which
was at the South fide), I could alTift myfelf with my
hands and feet, as it was a kind of confined dope j
but after that, the rock jetted out into large irregular
pieces, on all the three fides next me ; and on that ac-
count I met with fome difficulty in pafiing, for about
the fpace of ten yards more j at which depth the rope
was moved at leaft five or fix yards from the perpen-
dicular, Thence down, the breadth was about three
yards, and the length at lead: five or fix, through
craggy irregular flits in the rock, which was rather
dirty, and covered with a kind of mofs, and pretty
wet, until I came within about twelve or fourteen
yards of the bottom, and then the rock opened on
the Eaft fide, and I fwung, till I defeended to the
floor of the cave, where I perceived there was light
enough came from the mouth of the pit (though at
the diflrance of fixty-two perpendicular yards) to read
any print. When I was at the bottom, I perceived
that the cavern confifted of two parts ; the firfi; (into
which I defeended, at the place I began to fwing)
being a cave, in fliape not much unlike to that of an
, oven ; and the latter, a vafl: dome of the form of the
infide of a glafs-houfe ; with a fmall arched pafiage
from the one to the other, through which a Hope of
loofe flones (that have been thro'Ovn in from time to '
timty extends from the wall at the Wefl; fide of the
firft dome, to almofl: the bottom of the fecond cave,,
or dome, with fuch an angle, that the further end
©f the cave is lower by twenty-five yards, than the-
place where I firft landed.

The

C 253 ]

The diameter of this cavern 1 fake to be nearly fifty
yards : the top I could not trace with my eye j but
had reafon to believe it extended to a prodigious
height i for, when 1 was nearly at the top of one of the
incrufted rocks, at the height of (I dare fay) twenty
yards, I could find no clofure of the dome, though I
then faw much further than when Iftood at the bottom.

As to the particular curiofities to be met with
in the fmall cavern, they are not worth mention-
ing ; indeed I did not meet there with any fialac-
titical incruftations whatfoever j but the wall confifted
of rude and irregular fragments of rock.

Amongft the fingularities in the fecond cavern, I.
particularly obferved the following} climbing up a
few loofe ftones on the South fide, at the place marked=
Q^(in the plan fig. II.), I defeended again, through
a fmall flit, into a little cave, four yards long, and ir-
regular, as to height not exceeding tw’o yards}, and
the whole lined with a kind of fparkling ftaladites,
of a fine deep yellow colour, with fome fmall fl:alacti-
tical drops hanging from the roof.

Facing the firft entrance is a mofl: noble column,
of the fame kind of incruftation (fee D. fig. II. and IV.)
which I could perceive to be above thirty yards high :
and proceeding on to the North, I came to a large
ftone (marked E. fig.II. and IV.) covered with the like
matter} and under it 1 found a hole two yards deep,,
lined wdth the fame } from whence fprung a rock
confifting of vaft folid round mafles, like the former
ill colour, though not in figure, on which I eafily
afeended to the height of twenty yards, and got fome
fine pieces of ftaladites, pendent from the cragged
fides which joined this rock. At the upper part I
I perceived:

r 25+ 3

•perceived a frtiial] hole, or cleft; but could not, without
•being in danger of my liie, get at it; and^IJound
.great difheuky in coming; down again.

' After this prt receding forward, 1 came- to another
•pile of incruftatinns, different from the two former,
and much rougher; and which was not tinged with
fuch a yellow, but rather with a brown colour ; and at
the top of this alio is a 'final 1 cavern, into which I went.

The lafl thing I took notice of was the vafl; drops
of ftaladlites, hanging like’icicles from every part of
the vault; fome of which were as large as a man’s
body, and at leald four or five feet long.

I obferved the greatefl part of the walls of the large
cavern was lined with incruftalions, and that they
were of three kinds: the firft, being the deep yellow
flaladfites ; the fecond, being a thin coating, like a
kind of light ftone-coloured varnifh upon the furface
of^ the limeffone, and which glittered exceedingly by
the light of the candles ; and the third being a fort
of rough cfHorefcence, every minute (hoot refembling
a kind of rofe-fiower.

Having fatisfied my curiofity with a view of this
aftonifliip.g vault, I began to return (oblerving the
whole floor to be covered with vafl quantities of loofe
ffoncs); and reafeending that heap, which 1 firft
mentioned, and fo returning through the arch which
leparatcd the two vaults, I perceived, that though it
is now only about three yards high, yet it mull for-
merly (before the (lones were flung in), have been a
' very magnificent entrance.

Once more^faflening the rope to my body, I gave
the lignal to be drawn up, which I found to be a
4uuch more difHcult and dangerous tafle than my

• delcent,

3

_ . C 255 1

defcent, owing to my weight drawing the rope into
clefts, betwixt the fragments of the rock, which
made it ftick; ^and to my body jarring againft the
fides, wdiich I could not poffibly prevent w''ith my
hands. Another circumfiiance alfo increahd the
danger, W'hich was, the rope looiening the flones over
my 'head, whofe fall I every inftant dreaded. As L
was obliged to keep my face towards the hdc on
which I was let down, I could not make any very
particular obfervations on either of the rocks on each
tide of me, nor any whatfoever on the oppolite one,,
except at a few refling places, either in my defcent
or afcent.

For the fake of conveying a clearer idea of the
defcription, I have added two or three drawings, and
a plan 3 which are as exaft a refemblance of the place,
as my recollection will enable me to give.

And, before I conclude, I ought to mention, that
under the projection of the rock at A (fig. I.) where
the pafiage firfl grows narrow, and which may with
difficulty be feen from the top, is the entrance of a
cavern, that feems to go a great way ; but I could
‘not get into it, and therefore am not able to fay any
thing further about it.

P. S. Since wTiting the above, I have been inform-
ed, that a gentleman, who lives near the fpot, affirms,
there was formerly the mouth of a fecond ffiaft in
the flpor of the great cavern, fomewliere under the
great heap of flonesj and that it was covered up by
the miners, at the time when fo many loads were
thrown in from the top. It is reported to have gone
dow’n a vaft depth further, and to have had water at

[ 256 ]

the bottom ; but I did not perceive any remaining
appearance of fuch opening myfelf, nor did the
miners, who went down with me, fay any thing
about it.

To Do(5lor Maty, Sec. R. 8«

S I R,

Bedford-Row, Sept, i, 1770*

J Have taken the liberty to fend you, in confequence
of Mr. Lloyd’s requeft, his curious and exad: ac>^
count of Elden Hole in Derbyfhire: and I hope it
will not be thought improper, if I venture to add a
few (hort obfervations upon it.

Mr* Lloyd, in his poftfeript, mentions the report of
there being a fecond (haft, at the bottom of the great
heap of Rones t and when 1 was myfelf in Derby-
fhire, about four years ago, and went to view the
fpot, I had an opportunity of receiving fome in-
formation, from the wife of one of the miners, who
had been down j and fhe deferibed the cavei*n in a
manner agreeable to fuch an account: for flie men-
tioned a very ffeep diclf, or defeent, in the midway j
at the bottom of which (Qae faid) her hufband went
down again a great way further, till he came to fome
water.

I do therefore conclude, that there really is fuch a
fecond (haft? which having been covered up with

large

[ 257 ]

large flag ftones, or timber (probably by the miners) to
facilitate, if poffible, the filling up ofElden Hole, ftill
remains buried under the heap of ftones. ' And 1 do
alfo fuppofe, that the great flopc of hones, which Mr.
Lloyd . defcribes, is not entirely compofed of loofe
ffones from time to time flung in ; but that under
them is the original fhelf of foiid rock, much fteeper
than the prefent flope, and fomething in the diredlion
S D fig. V. with the mouth of the fecond fliaft near
the end of it. And this fuppofition, together with
Mr. Lloyd’s exaft defcription of the parts of the
cavern which he faw, will perhaps reconcile all the
accounts that have been given of this mofl aftonifli-
ing chafm.

For, ftones flung down, or let down by ropes, in
a proper diredtion, would certainly Aide along the
flielf of rock, and defcend into the fecond fhaft,
before it was covered up; whereas others would rcfl;
at the bottom of the firft flaaft, or in the great cave ;
and hence the depths obferved by different perfons,

' at different times, mull have varied greatly from one
another.

And if it be further confidered, that, in founding
fuch great depths, the weight of the rope may often
be miffaken for the weight of the plummet ; and
that hence the rope may continue defcending, and
coiling up, firff at the bottom, and afterwards at
other places where it is accidentally flopped, till it be
at length hindered in its defcent by fome projedions
of the rcyek nearer the mouth of the fliaft ; this will
account rfor Mr. Cotton’s letting dowm 884 yards;
whilfl the water at the bottom of the fecond fliaft
will account for 8o yards being wet ; as fo many
'' VoL. LXI. L 1 ' might

[ 258 ]

mi^bt coll up In the water (let it have been ever fb»
fhallow), and as the reft, beyond the real depth of the
chafm, might coil up either in the great or little,
cave-

Again, the many craggs on eacli fide the firft ftaaft,
(and probably alio on each fide the fecond) muft
retard any ftone in its fall j and by that means will
account tor the length of time a body takes in de—
fcending ; which muft be a great deal longer than
if it fell in open fpace : and hence Dr. Short (who^
has given us a calculation, formed from the time of
the defcent of heavy bodies, according to the New-
tonian principles of gravitation)* was mifled to con--
elude, though very ingenioufly, that this chafm was.
422 yards deep.

And laftlyj the falling of ftones into the water,, at;
the bottom of the fecond fliaft, and the increafe of
the found made thereby, partly from the reverbe-
ration at the fidcs of the great cavern, and partly
from the form of the upper fhaft (which is not very
unlike that of a fpeaking trumpet, fee fig. I.) might
cccalion that aftonifhing noife, which is faid to have
been heard at various times formerly, on throwing
ftones into this gulph j but which has not been heard
of late years,, in a manner at all agreeable to old
reports.

And now, Sir, I cannot forbear to take notice, that
as both Mr. Lloyd, and alio the miner’s wife, from
whom I had my information, mentioned there being
water at the bottom of the fecond llialt, it ap-
pears highly probable, tliat this water is the conti-
nuation of a fubterraneous river ; and indeed of that
very river which runs out of the mouth of the great

cavern.

r 259 1

cavern at Caflleton i for it is obferved by the coun^
try-people in the neighbourhood, that there is a large
quantity of grit ftone grows in the earth near Eideii
Hole, but none near Caflleton ; and yet, on high
floods, the river at Caflleton waflies great quantities
of fragments of that very grit-flone, out of the mouth
of Caflleton cavern.

There is alio a tradition, which, however ridiculous
it appears at firft fight, ought to have feme little
weight ; efpecially if compared with what Keyder
and Dr. Brown * relate of the Zirchnitzer Tea in Car-
niola. The tradition is this, that many years ago,
a poor old woman, hunting her gool'e, it tied from
her, and at laft fell down into Elden Hole, to her
great forrowj but fome days alter, (he heard it was
feen at the mouth of Caflleton cavern, and adlually
received it fafe again from thence: the goofe having,
by the fluttering of its wings, preferved itielf from be-
ing dafhed to pieces in its fall; and having found
its paffage fafely through the lubterraneous river.

I have added thefe few obfervations, for the fake
of preferving the tradition cocerning the fecond fhaft,
which otherwile perhaps would very foon be lofl;
and alfo for the fake of fliewing how great a pro-
bability there is of its being true : and to explain the
matter more fully, I have ventured to add a fifth
drawing, though merely from conjedlure.

But before 1 conclude, I mufl beg leave to obferve,
that the difpofition of the mafies ol flaladlites in this
cavern, feems to me to ddeive Come attention. Of
the three great piles of incruflaiions, two maniferiiy

See Keyller’s Travels 8vo. Vol. IV. p. 140, and Lowthorp’s
Abridgement of the Philofophical TranlacSlions, Vol. II. r. 306.

L 1 2 defeend

[ 26o ]

defcend from two chafms (H and G fig. IV.) in the
fides of the cavern y and therefore feem to have been
formed by the water draining, and dripping at times,
through thofe chafms, and carrying with it the fialac-
titical matter: and it is remarkable that the pile (I,
Fig. IV.) from the larger chafm, is coarfer, and
rougher, and of a more earthy colour, than that from
the fmaller chafm. But the third and largefi: column
of fialadlites, fD, Fig. IV.) has no chafm in the rock
at its top ; and is of a finer kind than the two others ;
and confifts of perpendicular fpires ; whereas the
others conlift of large mif-flaapen lumps. And it is
niofl remarkable, that this fiands very near the end
of the dope of fiones; and conlequently, that fome-
where near it muft be the mouth of the fecond
fliaft, if fuch really exifis.

As therefore Dr. Browne, in his travels (p. 96, 4to.)
mentions flaladlites formed on the irons in the cupola
of the baths at Buda, by the exhalations from the baths ;
and as fo many of the waters in Derbyflfire are warm,
and mineral; I would beg leave to fubmit it to the con-
lideration of the curious, whether this column, in parti-
cular, and the thin coating of fialadlites, on all the
walls of the great cavern, mentioned by Mr. Lloyd,
were not moft probably formed by exhalations from
the fecond fhaft ; whilfi the other two columns, and
the ftaladfites pendent from thereof, were formed by
water and flaladtitical matter tranfuding through the
chafms above-mentioned, and through the pores of
the ftone I am. Sir,

With great refpe<fl, your much obliged,
and mod obedient humble fervant,

Edward King.

I

I

r

t

»

« j

r ■ ^

i

^ i

l/iihurt t/c.

[ 26l ]

Explanation of Plate VIII.

Fig. I.

A Section of the Great Shaft, and Firfl Cave,.

N S, The mouth of the Chafm lengthways from-
North to South.

S The South end, at which I was let down.

A The firft great cragg, where the paffage

grows narrow. Oppofite to it is a large
projedion of the rock, which may be
juft feen from the top : and under that,
is,

F‘ The entrance of a cavern, which feemed
to go a great way 3 but I could not get
into it.

C A large projedlion of the rock . at the bottomr

of the fhaft. As foon as I had pafted
this, I fwung ; being come into the firft.
Cave.

D E The heap of ftones, with which the whole-
bottom of the firft cave is filled.

The arched pafiage into the great vault,
being about three yards high.

B*

{ 262 ]

^*ig. II-

The Plan of the Caves,’

YZB The floor of the firft cave. Y The

North end. Z The South end.

YZ The flat wall of rock, on the Weft fide,

B The entrance into the great cavern, on

the Eaft fide.

BXQKVPI The floor of the great cavern.

Q

D

SK

XV

A little, narrow, irregular cave.

The bafe of a column of ftalaflites,
above 30 yards high.

The bafe of the rock of more folid and
round mafies of ftaladlites.

The great ftone, which covers part of
the mouth of

A pit, or hole, two yards deep, lined
with yellow ftaladites like ftucco.

The bafe of a pile of encrufted ftones,
which lead up to a fmall cave.

The direction of the fedtion fig. III.

The diredion of the fedion of the great
cavern, fig. IV.

Fig.

' • n

1

{ 263 ]

Fig. III.

AC . The fhaft where I was let down.'

C The place where I began to fwing, in the
fniall cave,

AS The perpendicular wall of rock on the
Weft fide.

B The entrance into the great cavern on the

Eaft ftde.

RT The great Vault or Dome,

S T The heap of ftones, which have been flung
in from time to time.

I Large drops of ftaladites, in clufters,.

Explanation of Plate IX,.
Fig. IV.

The inlide of the great Cavern.

B

K

D

E

The entrance on the Weft fide.

The continuation of the vaft heap of ftones.
The column of ftalaftites, above 30 yards
high.

The great ftone which covers part of the
mouth of

F A

[ 2^4 ]

F A pit or hole, two yards deep, lined with fla-
ladlites like ftucco.

P The rock of more folid and round maffes of
flalaftites, on which I afcended about 20
yards.

G A cleft in the rock at the top of the pile.

I A pile of incrufted ftones, which leads up to a
fmall cave H.

L Large drops of ftalaflites, hanging in large
clufters.

R The roof (probably fomewhat of this form)
but too high to be feen.

Fig. V.

A View of all the Caverns, with the fecond Shaft.

WE The mouth of Elden Hole. W The Wed
fide. E The Eail.

C The entrance into the lelTer cave.

B The paflage into the great cavern.

R The roof of the great cavern, reaching near-
ly to the furface of the ground.

ST The Hope formed by the heap of fiones.

S D The Ifeep Jfhelf of rock, probably, under it.

li) The mouth of the fecond fiiaft, which very

probably dill exifts ;» but is covered up,
fomewhat in the manner here repre-
fented.

X)

The

[ 265 J

F The bottom of the fecond (haft.

G H A fubterraneous river, at the bottom of the
fecond fhaftj which probably communi-
cates with fome of the rivers in that
great cavern at Caftleton : a circumftance
there is reafon to fufpeft, from hence,
that thofe rivers, on great floods, are
obferved to caft up fmall fragments of
a kind of grit ftone, which grows
plentifully in the parts of the country near
Elden Hole j but is not to be found in
the parts near the cavern at Caftleton.

VoL. LXI.

M m

XXXII. An

r 266 ]

XXXII. An Account of two new Yortofes\
in a 'Letter to Matthew Maty, M, D,
Sec. R.S.: By Thomas Pennant,

F. R. S.

SIR,

Read May "T BEG the favoui* of you to lay before
Jl^ the Royal Society, an account of two
tortoifes that have juft fallen into my hands.

The hrft was communicated to me * by my
worthy and learned correfpondent Dodlor Garden, of
Charles Town, in South Carolina ; a gentleman to
whom the world is indebted for various information
relating to the natural hiflory of that province j and
whofe adiduity promifes fair to enable me to make
conliderable additions to the accounts already given of
the new world. He has favoured me with an ample
defeription of this new animal ; together with fome
relation of its manners ; both of which are now
delivered to the Society in the words of the ingenious
writer.

* The fpecimen now under the infpecSlion of the Society,
was lent me, by my good friend Mr. Ellis ; my own fpecimen
being in the country ; to Mr. Ellis I was alio imlebtcd tor the
elegant drawing of the animal, done from the life, in South
Carolina.

“ I

[ 267 ]

“ I now come to fpeak of a fpecies of Turtle or
‘ Tortoife, peculiar to our fouthern rivers. We call
‘ it the foft JJjelled Turtle ; becaiife, when alive, the
‘ covering looks like leather, very fmooth and pli-
‘ able, without any appearance of bone in it. It is
‘ very fwift and fierce. They are not commonly

got here in Charles- town, though by chance
‘ this laft fummer, I had two fent me. One of
‘ them I had preferved entire and fent to our friend
‘ Mr. Ellis ; the other, lefs perfect, I have fent you.

‘ This is a very curious animal, and I think, a non-
' defcript, for there is none of Linnaeus’s fifteen
' fpecies, that refemble it, except the firfi: ; and
‘ that, he particularly mentions, is found in the
‘ * Mediterranean j but this always inhabits frefli
‘ waters, remote from the fea. The head and fnout
‘ are particularly diftinguifhed from every other
‘ Turtle; and what is more, 1 am told they ex-
‘ ceed any turtle in the delicacy of their tafte and
‘ flavour. I never eat any of them ; but have heard
‘ many fpeak of them who were great epicures, and
‘ they have affured me, that they were far preferable
‘ to the green kind.”

* There are two fpecies of Tortoifes in that fea, a coriace-
ous one, and another refembling that of the Weft Indies, which
is fcarce eatable. 7'he laft I procured from Leghorn, and at
this time am doubtful whether it differs fpecifically from the
Weft Indian Turtle.

Frcf/j

M m 2

[ 268 ]

FrcJJ:) Water turtle, commonly called Soft Shelled
’Turtle, Tab. X.

‘‘ They are found m large quantities In Savannah
and Alatamaha rivers j and I have been told that
they are very common in the rivers in Eafl Florida. ,

“ They grow to very large fizes, though the larged:
that ever I heard of was feventy pounds.

“ The Turtle, which I now have by nae, weighs
twenty pounds ; and probably, when I firfl got it, it
might have weighed from twenty-five to thirty
pounds, as I have obferved that it has grown poorer
every day. I have had it now near three months,
and I never could obferve that it has eaten any thing
that has been given it, though a variety of things
have been tried.

“ It is twenty inches long from one end of the flaell
or covering to the other, and fourteen inches and a
half broad. The colour of this fiiell or covering, in
general, is dark brown, with a greenifh call.

“ The middle part is hard,lT:rong, and bony; but all
round the fides, efpecially towards the tail and
hindermofi: part, it is cartilaginous, foft and pliable,
refembling thick tanned fole-Ieather, yielding very
eafily to any force in any diredion whatever, but
thick enough and flrong enough to defend the animal
from any injury. All the hind part of the back Is
full of oblong fmooth knobs ; and the fore part, juft
where it covers the head and neck, is ifudded full of
large knobs. The under fide of this plate is very

beautiful,

I'iO'. .

Vhthj'. Tranj'.Vff/.JJCl .T/ilvX . /i.sO'S

t 269 ]

beautiful, of a lively whicUli colour, Interfperfed with
innumerable very fine ramilications of blood veffels,
running from the margin of the plate into larger and
larger branches, until the fight of them is at once loft
by their entering the body of the animal.

, “ The under, or belly plate, or rather Jlemum^ is of
a fair whitifti colour, and extended forward two or
three inches more than the back plate, fo that the head
refts on it very conveniently. The hind part of this
plate is hard and bony, ftiaped very much like a man’s
tiding faddle, with two pieces for the thighs to reft
on. The fore part of the plate is pliable and carti-
laginous.

“ The head is fomewhat triangular and attenuated,
rather apparently fraall for the animal, but growing
gradually larger towards the neck, which is thick and
long, and eafily extended out (the neck of the pre-
fentfubjedl was thirteen inches and a half long) to a
great length, or drawn back again under the ftiell
or plate.

“ The eyes arc placed In the fore and upper part of
the head, near to one another, having pretty large
loofe palpebrae. The pupil is fnall and lively, fur-
rounded by a lemon-coloured /Vir, perfedlly round,
and giving much life and fire to the eyes. When
danger approaches, or when it goes to fleep, it
covers its eyes, by bringing the inner and loofe part of
the lower palpehra over its eye, like a viembrana
nibiitans.

“ The upper lip and under lip are both large, but
efpecially the upper. The mandibula are both entire,
each being one entire bone all round, of the fame
Ihape as the mouth.

5

“ The

[ 270 ]

“ The noftrils are the moll; fingular part, being a
cartilaginous produdiion of at leaft three quarters of
an inch, beyond the upper and fore angle or point of
the upper lip, perforated with two apertures reaching
back and opening into the roof of its mouth, having
a fmooth feptum but fimbriated upon each .fide.
This, at firfi light, in fome manner rcfembles the
fnout of the mole ; but it is tender, thin and tranfpa-
rent, and cannot be intended for digging in the earth
or land.

The arms are thick and ftrong, confifting of
three diftind joints, vtx. the upper, the fore arm, and
hand. The hands have each five fingers, of which the
three firfi are fhorter and fironger, and furnifiied with
firong nails, or rather claws. The two lafi fingers
have more joints, but are fmaller, and, infiead of being
furnifiied with claws, are covered with the membrane,
which is extended even beyond their extremities.
Towards the back or hind part, there are two fpurious
fingers, which jufi ferve to fupport the membrane
when extended. The upper fide of thefe arms and
hands are covered with a wrinkled loofe fidn, of a
dufky greenilli colour. The legs conlifi of the fame
number of joints, and have the fame number of toes
as there are fingers on the fore-feet, and thefe are
furniilicd with nails in the fame manner, only there
is but one fpurious toe. Both the fore and hind legs
are thick, firong, and mufcular ; and as the animal is
very fierce, when it is attacked or difiurbed, it often
raifes itfelf on its legs, and will leap forward to bite
its difiurber or enemy, which it does with great fury
and violence.

“ They

[ 271 ]

They are llkewife very flrong, and of a lively
whitifli colour, becaufe they are generally, if not
always, covered with the upper plate, which, as I faid
before, is extended a great way behind.

“ The tail is large and thick, and generally as long
as the hind part of the upper plate. The anus is
placed about an inch from the extremity of the tail
on the infide.

“ The Turtle, from which thefe charadters were
taken, was a female ; after flae came into my polfedion
fhe laid fifteen eggs, and about the fame number were
taken out of the belly when fire died. The eggs,
were nearly an inch diameter, and perfedfly fphe-
rical.

“It is efteemed very good eating, and faid by
many to be more delicate than the green turtle.”

‘The other Species of Tortoife^ which I name
the Tuherculatcdy

was communicated to me by Mr. Humphries,
of St. Martin’s-Lanc, merchant of minerals, Ihells,
and infeds. He was unacquainted with its place
and hiflory; therefore I muff content myfelf with
giving a meer defeription of it, deprived as I am of
the knowlcge of its manners and ufes, without which
even natural hiflory is as replete with dulnefs as with
inutility.

Its

[ 272 ]

Its length, from nofe to the extremity of the back',
is three inches three lines j its greateft breadth, one
inch and a half.

^ The head is large and fcaly. The neck thick and
wrinkled. Eyes full ; noftrils fmall and oval ; the
end of the upper mandible long and bifurcated, lap^
ping very far over the lower.

The back is divided length-ways, with five pro-
minent ribs covered with large yellow tubercles, the
intervening part is dufky and divided by multitudes
of lefTer and more depreffed tubercules. The whole
circumference of the back bounded by a tuberculated
rib, like thofe on the upper part. The extremity
furcated. The whole is coriaceous and pliant.

The tail is deprelTed fideways, tapers to a point,
and reaches beyond the end of the back.

The belly is yellow, tuberculated like the back,
but marked with lix rows greatly prominent.

The prior hns are longer than the whole body,
very thin, dufky, and edged on their interior fides
with white, and both the furfaces are covered with
deprefl'ed tubercles . The hind fins are broad,
much dilated near their end, and flightly bilobated :
none of thefe fins had the left marks of toes or
nails.

This may probably be the fame with the Tejiudo
coriacea of Linno'us, p. 350, or the coriaceous one
above mentioned: but, as I have not at prefent be-
fore me the authors cited by that able natnralift, I
will not pretend to pronounce with certainty whe-
ther it is the fame.

Expla-

[ 273 ]

Explanation of the Figures,

Tab. X.

Fig. I. The foft-flielled Tortoife.

2. The fame on its back.

3^ The fame with its neck exerted j drawn from
the dried animal.

4. The tuberculated Tortoife^

5. Exhibits the form of the mouth*

N n

VoL. LXI.

XXXIII. MeU^

1

[ 274 ]

XXXIII. Meteorological Ohfervaiions at Caen in Normandy;
for 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769. By Nathanael
Pigott, Bfq\ communicated bj the late Dr. Bevis, F. R.

Read May 9, 1771.

J765.

Months

Days 1 Barometer

Inches

Mean

Ther.

jMean

Remarks

January

31

9

Greatelt height
Leaft ditto

30,20

29,10

29.65

Wind chiefly S. S. \V. 1 5th froft In
the morning ; the reft of the month
was clouity.

8

31

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

•

46.5

37.5

42

February

24

28

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,14

■28,87

29^5-5

Wind chiefly N. and E. N. E.
4th fioft and cloudy j iSth, 19th,
!Oih, 2irt, 24th, 26th, fmall fro ft }
27th thaw j 28th rainy.

27

Greau-ft ditto
L.aft ditto

44.5
33 5

39

March

8 23

I

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30 02
28,97

29,495

Wind chiefly S. S. W. i ith, 12th,
14th, 19th, 20th, 27th, 28th, high
wind j 13th, iSthj 30th, 31ft,

ftoriny.

24

I

Greateft ditto
Leart ditto

*

51.0

40.0

45.5

April

1 2
20

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,38

^9.57

29.975

Wind variable; ift ftormy ; 4th,
6ih, yih, 8ih, qth, loth, 13th, 14th,
15th, 22d, high wind; iky almoft
always cloudy : 2d fome fwallows :
26th fome thunder: fruit trees begin
to bloom.

27 28

13

Greateft ditto
L"aft ditto

67.5

47.5

57.5

May

1

12

15 2^

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,24

29,56

29,90

Wind moftly in the N. points : this
month remarkable for fine fun, and
clear Iky.

22 23

5

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

67.0

53.0

60 0

June

9

16 17

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,22

29,78

30,00

Wind moftly in the North points ;
weather changeable the whole month:
3d fome thunder and lightening with
heavy rain at 4b P. IVI.

Month

4 5
29 3c

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

*

70.0

61.0

^5>5

Month

[ 275 ]

Meteorological Obfervations, at Caen in Normandy.

1765-

Months

Days

Barometer

Inches

Mean

Ther.

Mean

Remarks

July

4

7

Gieateft height
Leaft ditto

30,28

29,70

29 99

Wind moft in the northern points ;
beginning, cloudy Iky ; middle, fun
with clouds; end, windy and fun
with flying clouds ; 25th at yh. P.M.
therm. 77°.

>9 25

I

Greatelt ditto
Leaft ditto

72.0

32.0

67,0

•

Auguft

18

22

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,30

29,03

29,66 +

Thefe obfervations are from the
10th to the 24th only. Wind vari-
able ; the beginning Ihowery; 12th
ftormy j end, funlhine and clouds.

23

12

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

76.0

59.0

67,5

Novembei

21

25

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30.27

29,02

29,645

Wind variable : beginning rainy}
middle foggy } end^ white froft in the

I

23 24

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

56.0

42.0

49,0

mornings*

Decembe/

January

16
1 1

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,34

29,12

29,73

wind chiefly in the Eaft pointt^
beginning frolly ; 5th hard froft 3
8th, 9th, loth, iith, rain; remain-
der, almoft conftant froft.

Wind chiefly E. S, E. from the
flnning till the 20th, foggy and
)udv till the toth : 9 1 ft, froft, 29th,

' 8
25

29

2 3

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

Greateft djtto
Leaft ditto

30,72

30,03

1766.

30,375

51.0

37.0

44,0

be

clc

31
1 1

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

40,0

■i7,o

33,5

30th, 72 inches : height of barome-
ter carefully fet down.

February

19

17

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30 61
29,52

30,065

45.0

30.0

37,5

In the beginning wind in the North'
points 5 in the middle in the South j
at the end to the Northern points ;
froft till nth; wind and rainy till
the end.

^5

8

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

N n 2 Mete-

[ 27^ ]

%

Meteorological Obfervatlons at Caen in Normandy.

1766.

Month

Days

Barometer

Inches

Mean

Ther.

Mean

Remarks

March

1

7

26

Greateft height
Leaft ditto

30,29

28,84

29.565

wind variafle ; ift-, azd^rtormy;
26th hurricane; 23d, 24th, 25th,
wind and fnow in the nights. The
whole month moftly cloudy : from
25th to 26th, quickfilverfcli in baro-
meter 0,67 inches.

13

I 3

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

53.0

40.0

46,5

April

7

24

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,40

29>35

29,875

Wind variable; mod part of the
month rain and wind.

27

I

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

57.0

48.0

\

52.5

July

4

9 .

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,08

29,69

29.885

66,75

Thcfe obfervations from the 2d to
the 16th only. Wind variable; cloudy
and rainy,

10

3

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

70,5

63.0

Auoufl:

0

26

22

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto.

30^27

29,86

30.065

Win4 at beginning in the North
points; middle variable ; end in the
Soiitli points. Clouds and wind al-
iiioft the whole month.

9

«7

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

76.0

64.0

70,0

Septembei

‘7

7

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30.38

29,60

29.99

Wind till towards the end varying ;
from the 25th S. S. E. Clouds and
wind the whole month.

27

16

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

72.0

60.0

66,0

0(Stober

2

8

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

29,84

29,27

29.555

Wind modly E. S. E. the end of
the mrnlh variable ; clouds and wind;
6th ftormy : thefc obftrvations from
the I ft to the lothonly.

5

9

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

70.0

62.0

66

Mete-

[ 277 ]

Meteorological Obfervatlons, at Caen in Normandy.

1767.

Months

Days

Barometer

Inches

j Mean

The.

Mean

1 Remarks

January

21

13

Greateft height
Lead: ditto

30,10

29,05

29>575

Wind moftly S. S. E. this month
frofty j fometimes /harp and high
winds.

30

'3

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

52,0

30>5

4i>25

February

I 2
8

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

3o>03

29,665

Wind moft in the South points.
Rainy and windy from the 9th to the
15th. Thefe obfervations only down
to the 15th.

^ 5
10

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

f'

54>o

50,0

52,0

May

24

30

16

4

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

33»3o

29,42'

29,86

Wind varying the whole month,
moftly rainy and windy.

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

62,0

58,5

June

10

3

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

3°>i5

29>39

29 77

Wind varying. 3d ftormy ; the
whole month windy and rainy.

29

3

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

65^5

55>o

60,25

July

18

21

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,02

29,63

29 825

Wind varying, iift ftormy; from
the nth to the 30th cloudy and rainy.
Few flies yet in the appartments, and
thofe cannot fly.

16

12

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

67,0

63>o

65,0

Septembei

13

4

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,16

29,62

29,89

Thcfe obfervatlons only from the
ifttothe 15th ; wind varying 3 wea-
ther changeable.

4

15

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

72.0

64.0 J

68,0

Mete-

V

[ 278 ]

Meteorological Obfervations at Caen in Normandy,

1767

Months

Days

Barometer

Inches

■ Mean

Thet.

Mean

Remarks

•

October

8

Greateft height^3o,i6
Leaft ditto 29,68

29 92

Thefe obfervations from the 7th to
the aoth only. Wind moft in the
North points, chiefly cloudy, fome
rain.

8

14

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

62.0

53.0

57,5

November

28

15

Greateft ditto '30,37
Leaft ditto 29,21

29-79

Thefe obfervations from 14th to
29th only. Wind chiefly in the S.
points; 1 8th, 21 ft, zad, fun-fhine and
fmall froft. 16th the leaves ftill green
on the trees.

27

23

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

;54,o

'47,0

50,5

Decembei

f

January

3'

20

Greateft ditto 30,44
Leaft ditto 29,19

29,815

23d began to freeze very hard with
N. N.E. wind. See an account of
this froft lower down, ift, moft trees
have leaves, but yellow and begin to
fall. 1 3th, the ti CCS ftripped of their
leaves.

Wind' mofliy in the F.aft pofnts.
ift, much fnow : high wind ; hard
froft to the 8ih ; 8th, thaws. The
reft of the month rainy and windy.

8

'7

5

8

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,00

29,10

1768

29,55

'54,0

,33;0

43,5

30

6 7

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

Cio 37,25

February

6

lO

G.cateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,37

29,56

29,965

In the beginning wind in the N,
points; at the end in tlie S. This
month molily windy, cloudy and
rainy.

14 16
4 5

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

57.0

43.0

50,5

\

[ 279 ]

Meteorological Obfervatlons at Caen in Normandy.

1768

Months

Days

Barometer

Inches

Mean

The.

Mean

Remarks

March

4 11

15

Greateft heighi
Leaft ditto

30 39
29 02

29 705

Wind chiefly E, towards the N.
greateit pai t of this month frofty.

I

II 12

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

57.0

44.0

50,5

Apr il

1 1

29

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,16

29^43

29,795

Wind changing; 6th, ftorm of
thunder, lightening, and hail, at 5 h,
P.M. lightning fell on the church,
called Abbaie aux Dames, ran over the
choir with quick ferpentine motion,
and then diiappeared without any fur-
ther mil'cliicf ; 29th, rain and thunder
at I rh. 2 A. M.

17

I

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

61,0

5LO

56,0

May

23

29

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

/

3°’G

29’35

29,76

Wind chiefly in the N. points.
This month was windy, and the fun
Ihone with white broken. clouds. 5th,
at 10 h. P.M. ftorm of tliunder,
lightning and rain.

23

2 19

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

70.0

56.0

63.0

June

21

26

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,15

29)55

29-855

Wind chiefly in the Wefterly points.
7th, at 4h. P.M. ftorm of hail
thunder and lightning ; from gth to
22d, windy and rainy ; 24tn, ftormy,
with rain thunder and lightning.

k

24

20

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

69,0

62,5

65,8-

July

21

7

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30.14

29.55

29,845

Wind chiefly in the V''cftcrly points.
This month cloudy and windy, with
feme rain.

I

20

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

73.0
65 0

69.0

Auguft

9

4

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,13

29^96

30,015

Thefc ohfervations from the 3d to
the 13th only. Wind moft in the
Wefiern points; Iky partly cloudy,
partly clear.

12

9

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditco'

70,0
66, c

68,0

Mete-

[r 280 J

Meteorological Obfervations at Caen In Normandy,

1768.

Months

Days

Barometer

Inches

Mean

The.

Mean

. Remarks

September

14

12

Greateft height
Leaft ditto

30.03

29>45

29 74

i

Thefe obfen'ations from the 7th to
the 15th onlj. Wind unfettled. 12th,
fome thunder in the mon.ing j the
other days wind, clouds or rain.

H

8

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

65,0

60,5

62,7 +

October

'

-

Oflober 30th, betwixt 12 h, 'and
13 h. at Harcourt, about 5 leagues
S, W. of Caen, feveral gentlemen
faw a ball of fire of a whitiih colour,
apparently of about a foot diameter,
which cart a great light in the room,
though the curtains were drawn, and
there was a great fire and feveral wax
lights in it : its diredlion from N. to
S. It fell with great velocity, and
feemingly about 30 or 40 yards from
the room, without any explofion. I
had juft left the apartment, but was
immediately informed of it ; about
3 hours after, there was a violent
hurricane of wind, hail and rain.

November

19

23

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

^0,22

28,60

29,41

Barometer at noon the 21ft 29,43
ditto — — 22d 28,46

fell in 24 hours 0,97

2zd, continued rain j at lo^P. M.
fmart fla/hes of lightning with thun-
der. Wind varying this month and
the weather cloudy, rainy and windy j
15th leaves begin to fall.

'5 30
23

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

0^ 0^ 1
4- 4- 1
_ 4'_i

49,0

December

12

2

Greateft ditto
Leeft ditto

30,40

29,14

1

29,77

i

1

Wind chiefly in the Southern points,
ad ftorm of wind and rain ; 14th
hard froft. The weather this moniii
unfettkd.

I

^5

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

|S2,0

3^,0

42,0

3

MctC'

[ 28i J

Meteorological Obfervations, at Caen in Normandy*

1769.

Months

Days

Barometer

Tnchc«

Mean

The.

Mean

Remarks

fanuary

H

I

Greateft heigh
Leaft ditto

30,16

29^49

29,825

Wind chiefly in the Southern points.

‘3

22 24

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

50,0

39’5

44r7 +

cloudy, wind and rainy 24th white
froft j 22d white froft : the weather
this month unfettled.

'ebruary

20

S

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,19
29, ah

29,725

Wind moftly in the Eaflern points.
4th at 11 h. P. M. hurricane, morn-
ing generally white froft. From the
rad to the end of the month, rainy,
cloudy, and high wind.

28

I

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

53^0

39^0

46,0

Id arch

3

1 1

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,47

29,20

29,835

Wind in the Northern and Weft
points. All this month clouds and
wind j little rain.

4

10 31

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

55>o

46,0

50,5

jpril

0

24

8

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30^13

29,0b

29,605

Wind at beginning in the North
points j at the middle in the South
points j at the end in the North points y
22d, white froft in the morning y the
reft of the month chiefly rainy and
windy.

28

2-3*4-5-6

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

62,5

46,0

54>2 +

lay

—

2

14

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30>39

29,50

29 945

Wind varying y 18th, at 3 h. P.M.
thundery 20th at 4b. P. M. ram
with thunder and lightning y 23d, at
llh. P. M. thunder and lightning y
23d, at3h.i P. M. ther.yyOy 27th,
at 4h. P. M. a very heavy rain. This
month moftly windy and rainy'.

23

13

Greateft ditto
Leaft . ditto

73.0

54.0

4

63,5

4oe

1 1
^5

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,19

29,65

29,92

Thefe obfervations from 2d to the
19th only; wind chiefly in the W.
lOints. This, month cloudy, windy
ind rainy.

* *

9.10.13 (
'5

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

65,0

6r,o

53,0

O o

’VoL. LXI.

Mete-

C 282 ]

\

Meteorological Obfervations at Caen in Normandy. '

1769.

Month

Days

Barometer

[nchef

Mean

Ther.

Mean

Remarks <

July

10

8

Greateft height
Leaft ditto

30,16

29,04

29,60

Thefe obfervations from 6th to
l6th only ; wind variable ; firlt days
clouds 5 the laft days clear fun.

7

10

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

76.0

69.0

72,5

Auouft

0

i8

22

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30,12

29,50

29,81

Thefe obfervations from the 74th
to the 23d only. Wind chiefly in th«
Well points j chnids and wind.

^5

21

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

70.0

63-5

66,7 +

September

16

12

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30.17

29,4c

Shifting winds; gth, at 3b. 1'. M.a
very heavy lliower ot hail from the W.
the hailftones about the fize of a mid-
dling walnut, of difftreht irregular
lhapes ; the larged of fome, brought
to me after the llorm, diminifhed in.
volume, and weighed dill z penny-
weights and z grains ; the ftOrm laded
about 4 or 5 mimites.

6 19
26

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

71.0

60.0

65.5

October

10

22

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30.30

29,66

29,98

Wind variable ; weather unfettled 3
often changing.

19 20
7

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

63,0

48,6

55.8

November

28

22 23

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30.52

29.55

30.03s

Thefe obfervations from 18th to
30th only; wind ihifting; igthjioth,.
liard frod ; the red of the month,
modly wind with fome rain.

27

20

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

55.0

40.0

47.5

December

4

^3

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

30.38

28,69

2959

Thefe obfervations from the 3d to
74th only : the wind aimed always in
the South points ; wind and rain ;
; 3dj fqnalls at 8I1. P. M. the baro-
meter being at 28,69 bichcj.

^3

8

Greateft ditto
Leaft ditto

55.0

43P

49.0

MctC'

I

C 283. ]

Meteorological Obfervations at Caen in Normandy.

Inches

^765

Mean height of
Barometer

Inches

Mean height of
Barometer.

29,650

January

29>S50

January 1768

29,505

February

2Q 965

February

29,495

March

29,705

March

29,975

April

29 795

April

29,900

May .

29,760

May

30,000

June

29,835

June

29,990

j >^ly

29,845

July

2^5 60 ~i“

Auguft

30>oi5

Auguft

29,645

September

29,740

September

N ovemLer

29,410,

November

29,730

December

29,770.

December

29^655

mean of thefe means

29,828-j-

mean of thefe means

3°>375

January 1766

2,9,825

January 1769

30 065

February

29,725

h ebruary

March

29>835

March

29,875

April

29,605

April

29,885

July

29 9rS

May

30,065

Auguft

29,920

June

29,990

September

29,600

July

29^555

Odiober

29,8 1 0

/Auguft

29,992 —

mean of thefe means

29>7^5

29,98

September

October

29>575

January 1767

30,035-

29,590

November

December

29,665

February

29,860

May

29,805

nacan of thefe means

29,770

June

— ...

29,825

July

Mean height

In the years

29,890

September

29,920

Odtober

29,665

29,790

November

29,922

j 766

29 8j5

December

29,790

1767

29,790

mean of thefe means

29,828 +
29,805

1 768
1769

I

! 29,802

1

mean of thefe means

Remarks

Thefe obfervations were made
at noon, in a South- Weft room,
with a barometer, whofe tube is
about tV of an inch diameter j in
which the motion of the quick-
filver, in fqualls and gufts of wind,
is extremely perceptible ; yet, for
further fatisfadfion, I ordered an-
other to be made in London, with
the greateft care, by Heath and
Wing,, with, a nonius giving the
Tw part of an inch. I placed, this
barometer by the other, in July
1769; and having compared them
every day for a year, I find that the
ancient one marks -f|-o of an
inch more than the other; there-
fore, if from the mean height as
above — 29,802

be deduced' — 0,050

the true mean height is 29,752

The greateft height obferved,
at noon, was, J'an.aq, 1766,. 30,72--
The leaft, Dec. 23, 1769, at
8 h. P. M.

Limits of the motion of

quick filvtr 2,03

Yol, LXl

O o 2

Hencft-

[ 204 ']

Hence it appears, that if the mean height of barometers, on
a level with the furface of the Tea, be fuppofed, with Dr.
Scheuchzer, Piiil. 'I'ranf. N“ 405, 406, 29,993 inches

and the mean height at Caen, — ; — 29,752 ditto

0,241 the difF.

will be the greater mean weight of the atmofphere at the furface
of the fea, then at Caen : and if; with the Do£ior, we allow', for
each tenth of an inch depreffion of the quickfilver, 90 feet ele-
vation, my room, which is in the highett part of the town, will
be about 2 1 7 feet above the level of the fea.

Monfieur de Luc, of Geneva, has given a method to meafure
the different elevation of places by barometers, grounded on
his own obfervations, far more cxa6t than any other before him ;
his rule is, “ the difference of the logarithms of the height of
“ the quicldilver, in the two places, reduced into French lines,
“ and the logarithms carried to five places, including the charac-
“ terifficks, will give the dift'erence of elevation in toifes, if
“ Fah renheit’s thern.ometer be nearly at 66®; but about -r‘g muft
“ be deducted from the elevation fo given, if the tnermometcr
“ be at 53° or temperate.”

29,993 Lnglifh inch.= 337,824 French lines log. 25286,8
29,752 ditto =335,1 10 ditto log. 25251,9

difF. 3+59 toifes

or 209 4 French feet = 223 Englifli feet nearly ; from which if
= 12 I nearly be deducted, 210 \ feet remain for the differ-
ence of elevation of my room and the furface of the fea, which
differs 6 | feet from the refult given by the firft hypothefis.

The grcatefl: height obferved, in thefe five years, with a good
Fahrenheit’s thermometer fereened from the fun, in a S. W.
room, was as follows at noon :

I 765 Auguft 23d 1
1766 Auguft 9th r* 76°

1765 June ythJ

the leaft height of ditto Jan. 6th 1768 — — 14

1765 Auguft 23, expofed the thermometer, at noon, to the fun,
fufpended on a thread between two flicks, in the middle of my
garden at Caen, which may be about two Englilh' acres, fo that
the thermometer received the leaft reflected heat poftible in that
place; the quickfilver ftood as follows.

at

C 28s ]

at 1'' P, M. 97*
at 2 ditto 96

1765 Auguft 26, at a village, called les Iks Bardelks^ 7 leagues
from Caen, the fame thermometer, in a South room, from which
the fun was excluded by the window (hutters, rofe to 90°.

An Account of a remarkable degree of cold obferved at Caen

in Norrnandy.

1767

Ther.

Hours

Barometer

December

24

0

+ 12
16

h '

at 8 0
at 9 0

Inch.

30,02

30,02-

+ 18

at 1 1 0

25

+ 15

at 12 44

+ 18

at 21 45

f little wind at E. S. E. fmall

at 22 00

29,9 1. fog. cloudy.

+ 15

at 10 00

26

+ II

at 19 CO

+ 12

at 21 00

at 22 00'

29,67 wind N. E.

+ 17

at 7 00

♦

+ ibf

at 8 00

.

+ 12

at 10 00

-

2/

+ II

at 11 00

+ 10

at 18 00

+ 10

at 20 00

at 22 00

29,49 no wind.

+ 15

at 8 20

+ 14

at II 00

2. 0

+ 13

at 19 00

r little wind $. S. E. flying

+ 10

at 22 00

29,4:61 clouds.

+ 23

at 7 00

4- 20

at 10 00

30

+ 1 1

at 19 00

+ 14

at 21 00

at 22 CO

29,84 little wind S. flying clouds

An

I

[ 286 ]

An Account of a remarkable degree of cold,obfvrvcd at Caen in

Normandy.

1768

Thcr.

Hou

rs

Barometer,

January

0

h

9

3

+

to

at

1 1

00

+

9

at

20

00

+

1 1

at

5

00

*

+

10

at

6

00

* ;

+

8

at

8

00

4

+

6

at

9

15

0

at

12

—

8

at

^9

30

0

at

21

0

30^03

clear fkv, no wind.

at

19

0

30,00

wind W. by S.

—

■^2

at

5

3^

2

at

6

30

•

2

at

8

00

+

I

at

9

'

0

at

9

30

— -

3

at

10

00

5

0

at

10

35

0

at

1 1

CO

3

at

19

30

+

b

at

20

00

+

7

at

21

00

+

8

at

21

30

+

10

at

22

IS

A

+

14

at

noon

6

+

12

at

7

15

+

14

at

8

+

13

at

10

00

N. B. The rign + fignifies, that the degrees marked by thequick-
filver were above o, or the beginning of thedivifron.
The negative fign — fignifies, that the degrees were below
o, or the beginning of the divifions.

The thermometer was expofed in the open air to the North.
7'he hours are aftronomical hours.

Experi-

y

C 287- ]

/

Experim'ents on fome Liquids,

1768

H. M.

Jan. 3

II 30

[ placed a wine glafs half full of rack, another
half full of rum, in a North window, to the
open air : the next day, at the fame hour, the
rack was frozen to a thick jelly, with icey
particles ; the rum alfo to a j«Uy, but lefs
thick.

4 50

[ expofed, as above, a wine glafs, half full of
cyder: ditto of beer.

Ditto of red wine, called Beaujenci.

5 13

The cyder began to freeze.

6 30

Ditto confolidated.

4

S' S

The beer began to freeze.

6 30

Ditto confolidated.

5 i2

The wine began to freeze.

6 30

Ditto nearly confolidated.

The icey furface of the cyder being broken, rt
froze over again, in three or four feconds, the
ice forming, with a progreffive motion, very
perceptible to the eye.

5

9 00

I expofed, as above, a wine glafs half full of
Malaga wine.

Half ditto of Burgundy, called Migraine.

Half ditto of Roullillon wine.

Half ditto of fpring water.

Half ditto of cyder-brandy.

9 15

The water began to freeze.

9 30

Ditto confolidated.

9 30

The Malaga,Migraine,RoufliIlon, began to freeze.

1 1 00

Ditto ditto ditto confolidated.

' N. B,

N.B

[ 288 ]

. The brandy did not freeze; but the 6th at noon, the
quantity was diminifhed, and fome icey particles ftuck
to the glafs, above the furface of what remained. I
found, by weighing the above liquids hydroflatically,
in a temperate ftate of heat, that the migraine, cyder,
beaujcnci, b*er, and the water, were very nearly of the
' fame fpecific gravity ; and that a piece of gold, which
weighed in the water - - 224,25 grains,

weighed in the Malaga • - 224,00 ditto,

in the Rouffillon - , - - 224,50 ditto,

in the brandy - - - 225,00 ditto.

XXXIII. Kyc^anthes

[ 2§9 ]

XXXIII. Nydanthes elongata, nova Planta

Londinenfi r ever enter offer t Petrus Jonas
Bergius, M. D. Suecus, R, Soc, Lond.
aliarumque Sodet, Membr,

Read May 9, X S I Botanicls plantarum in India
fly 'orientali nafcentium multa dudum
meffis fait, tamen non dubitandum arbitror, quin
adhuc fatis amplus variis locus detur fpicilegiis. Lo-
quor jam potiffimum de oris oceano vicinis, quae plan-
tarum curiolis identidem patuerunt ; non de regioni-
bus iftius terrae ab oceano remotioribus, utpote quae,
a nullo botanico in hunc ufque diem calcatae, adeo
non novarum minufve cognitarum plantarum offerrent
fpicilegia, fi cuiquam oculatiori contingeret eas adire,
ut potius integram atque abundantem earundem fine
dubio praeberent meffem. Ut autem harum regionum
gaza herbaria admodum foret exoptanda fummoque
nifu defideranda, ita nec illarum exilior forte jam re-
fidua fupellex ullatenus eft contemnenda, quin potius
attentis, quoad liceat, oculis confideranda ab uno-
quoque, qui contemplatione nature, uti par eft, de-
ledlatur.

Ego proinde cupide ac libenter excepi oblatas mihi
aliquoties ab amicis, ex itinere Chinenli reverfis,
baud paucas ftirpes, in diverfis oceani Indici infulis

' VoL. LXI.

pp

deprehenfasj

[ 290 ]

deprehenfas ; quas ubi ftudiofius contemplor, video-
euq nonnullas raritate pra^ftantilTmias, atque idcirco
novas, quod Botanicorum antea innotucrunt neinini,
congruens meis piito ftiidiis eas omnes impenfe ex-
aminare apteque defcribere 6c delineare. Casteruin
ne haecce res jufto diutius duel per alias meas occu-
pationes videatur, occafionein fedabor quam potero
primam delicias hafee cum orbe erudito communi-
candi.

Patiatur itaque Illuftriffima Socletas Regia Londi-
nenfis, quod ad ada ipfius nunc illico tranfmittam
exadiffimam iconem idoneamque deferiptionem novas
cujurdani plantae Indicas, quam ad Nydantis genus
amandare debui, etiamli illius habitus fatis abludit
a cundis dudum cognitis Nydanthis fpeciebus. Una
quidem harum, nempe Nydanthes multiflora, a Cl.
N. L. Burmamio, Flor. hid. tab. III. fig. i. delineata,
quodammodo cum mea convenit iplo florum fitu ;
led tamen valde ab ea diferepat, non folum florum
magnitudine, fed etiam foliorum figura 6c reliquo
habitu, unde quoque diveiTitas fatis elucet fpecierum.

Icon adjunda (Tab. XI.) ramulum refert natural!
magnitudine expidum j 6c veto ramulum ipfum ac-
cepi ab amico C. G. Kkcberg, ex itinere in Chiiiam
domum non ita pridem feliciter redeunte.

Nyctanthes (elongataj foliis cordato-lanceolatis
acutis elongatis minoribulque, ramis teretibus.

Descr. Caulh fruticofus. Rami lubprocumbentes,
oppoflti, teretes, inferiores glabri, fuperiores villoli,
jamofl: ramulis oppofltis. Folia oppofita, cordato-
lanccolata, fubbipollicaria, acuminata, integerrima,
utrinque glabra, nervofa, margine paululum undu-
lata, faturate viridiaj inferiora ramulorum lenfim

minora.

Trarts.Tiff. LXT. Tab .’Sly;. Sijc.

I

I

I

[ 291 ]

minora, Infima vero cordato-ovata, parva. Flores In
ramulis termlnales, 5 vel 6 congefti, fubumbellati,
breviter pedicellatl. Calycis perianthium mono-
phyllum, tubulatum, minimum, pcrfiftens, fex vel
feptemfidum : lacinils fubulatls, pilofis. Corolla
monopetala ; F ubus cylindricus, ftriatus, longus, pol-
licaris, fuperne incraflatusj Limbus odto vel

novempartitus : lacinils ovato-oblongis, acutls. Sta-
mina, Filamenta bina, brevia ; Anther ce lineares,
obtufae, utrinque fulcatas, intra tubum corollas occul-
tatas. PisTLLUM. Germen fubrotundum, truncatum,
retufum, glabrum. Stylus filiformis longitudine fta-
minum. Stigma incraflatum, bifidum.

P p 2

XXXIV. Account

[ 292 ]

XXXIV, Account of a Mole from North
America : In a Letter to Dr, Maty, Sec.
R, S. from th^ Hon. Daines Barrington,
F. R. S.

Dear Sir,

Read May Send herewith a

1771.

I

May 15, T771

mole from North
America, which Mr. Kuckahn (who
hath before prefented feveral birds and infedls to the
Society) delires they will do him the honour to place
in their Mufeum.

This fpecies of mole much refembles that of
Europe in its general appearance, except in point of
colour : to fhew, however, that there is a very ma-
terial and fpecific difference between the two animals,
I have inclofed the head of the common EngUfli
mole, which contains all the teeth belonging to each
jaw.

The American fpecimen is not indeed fo perfedt
in this refpedt ; but a fufficient number of teeth re-
mains, to Ihew the diftindion between thefe two forts
of moles.

In the European, you will obferve hx cutting teeth
in the upper jaw, which are followed by two canine
ones.

5

C 293 ]

In the American (on the other hand) there are
two very long and large cutting teeth* in the cen-
tre, calculated to fill the vacancy in the lower jaw,
which contains only two fiiort cutting teeth, fol*
lowed immediately by two long canine ones.

In the lower jaw of the European mole, however,
there are eight fmall cutting, without the interven-
tion of any canine teeth. I am.

Dear Sir,

Your moft faithful'

humble fervant.

Daines Barrington*

XXXV. Letter

[ 294 ]

XXXV. Letter from the Hon. Daines Bar-
rington, F. R. S, to William Heberden,
M, D. F. R. S, giving an Account of fome
Experiments made in North W ales, to af
ce7‘tam the different Quantities of Rain^
which fell m the fame Thne^ at different
Heights.

S I R,

December 24, 1770.

Rcrul June 6, /\ S I happened to be at the meeting

177 •• /~\ of the Royal Society, when your

experiments were read, relative to the different
quantities of rain, which fell within receivers of the
fame dimenfions at different heights from the ground ;
it occurred to me, that the fame trials might be
made at more difproportionate heights, though at the
fame diflance from the furface of the earth.

I accordingly directed two rain-gages of exactly
the fame dimenfions to be made by your inftrument-
maker, which you was fo obliging as to take the
trouble of examining.

As I propofed to keep them at the top and bottom
of a Welch mountain, and am not ftationary a fuf-
ficient time in the Principality to attend to a long
courfe of fuch obfervations j 1 fent the rain -gages to

Mr.

C 29s ]

Mr. Meredith Hughes, of Bala, in Merlonethfhire,
who is a very ingenious land-furveyor, and, from his
philofophical turn, would be pleafed with executing
the commitfion, though a very troublefome one.

I directed him to place one of the rain-gages at
the top of Rennig, which is about four miles Wed;
of Bala, and is commonly confidered as the fifth
mountain of North Wales, in point of height^.

I direded the other rain-gage to be fixed near a
houfe, called Bochyrhaidr, at about half a mile’s
diftance from Rennig; and fo as that the rain might
not be impeded, when the wind blew over the moun-
taiin towards the point where the lower rain-gage
was placed. Proper precautions were alfo taken,
that neither cattle, nor any other accident, fhould in-
terfere with the experiment.

Being defirous to know with fome degree of pre-
cifion the height of this mountain, I direded Mr.
Hughes to alcertain it in the common method, by
examining the fall of the mercury in the barometer,
at the top, when compared with its date at the bottom.
Having made this experiment, he informed me, that
the difference was one inch and fixten ths, which ac-
cording to Dr. Halley’s method of computation, w^culd
give about 4 50 yards in height, from the adjacent plain.

By the following table it will appear, that the
quantities of rain, which had fallen in the two rain-

* I rather fuppofe it, however, to be only the fixth, and fliould
range them thus, according to their comparative heights : Car-
nedd Llevveiin, Snowdon, Caderldrys, Arran JV*owddy, Glider,
and Rennig. I place Carnedd Llewelin before Snowdon, bc-
caufe I carried a water level to the top of the latter, and con-
ceived Carnedd Llewelin to be higher ; perhaps the difference
may be only a few yards.

gages

t

[ 296 ]

gages were weighed fix feveral times ; In three of
which the contents of the upper receiver exceeded
thofe of the lower > and in the three others, the
quantity in the lower exceeded that of the upper. On
the whole, however, the contents of the lower rain-
gage exceeded that of the upper above half an inch.
This trifling diflference therefore feems to arife from
a fliower’s lafting perhaps a little longer on the bot-
tom of the mountain, and not from any permanent
caufe, as in your obfervations.

I am perfuaded, that thefe experiments have been
made with the greateft attention and accuracy, as I
was at Bala in Auguft laft, and found that all my
diredions had been moft pundually followed.

The inference to be drawn however from them
(fuch as they are) feems to be, that the increafe of
the quantity of rain depends upon its nearer approxi-
mation to the earth, and fcarcely at all upon the
comparative height of places, provided the rain-
'i-ao-es are fixed at about the fame difiance from the
ground.

Poflibly alfo a much controverted point between the
inhabitants of mountains and plains may receive a
folution from thefe experiments ; as in an adjaceiit
valley y at'kaft, very nearly the fame quantity of rain
appears to fall within the fame period of time as
upon the neighbouring mountains. I am. Sir,

Your mofi faithful

humble fervant,

Dailies Barrington.

[ ^97 ]

1776.

From July 6th to i6ch
July i6th to 29th
July 29th to Aur. loth
Sept. 9th both bottles had
’run over.

Sept. 9th to 30th

17th both bottles
had run over.

Odl. 17th to 22d
Ot£t. 2 2d to 29th
Nov. 20, both bottles
were broken by the frofl.

Bochyraidr.

Grains Inches.

5080 = 0,709
^5^54 = 2,185
4370 = 0,610

23167 = 5,234

5353 = 0,747

9179 =r 1,281

8,766

ThetopofRennig,

Grains. Inches.

4643 = 0,648
15217 = 2,124
4698 = 0,656

17648 = *,464

6336 = 0,885
9944 = 1,588

8,165

NOTE.

It may not be improper to Tubjoin to the foregoing actount,
that, in the places where it was firft obferved, that a different
quantity of rain would be colletEfed, according, as the rain-gages
were placed above or below the tops of the neighbouring build-
ings, the rain gage below the top of the houfe, into which the
greater quantity of rain had for feveral years been found to fall,
was above fifteen feet above the level of the other rain-gage,
which in another part of London was placed above the top of
the houfe, and into which the lefler quantity always fell. This
difference therefore does not, as Mr. Barrington juftly remarks,
depend upon the greater quantity of atmofphere, through which
the rain defeends ; though this has been fuppofed by fome, who
have thence concluded, that this appearance might readily be
folved by the accumulation of more drops, in a defeent through
a greater depth of atmofphere. W. H.

Q.q .

«

Voi. LXI.

XXXVI. ^

[ 298 ]

\

XXXVI. A Dtfquljitmi cojtcerning certain
Flue?2ts^ which are ajjignable by the Arcs
of the Conic ScSiions ; wherein are invejii-
gatea fome new and ufeful theorems for
cotnputing fuch Fluents : By John Lan-
den, F. R. S.

Read June 6, A /TR. Mac Laurln, In his Treatlfe of
1771- JVJ. Fluxions, has given fundry very
elegant Theorems for computing the Fluents of cer-
tain Fluxions by means of Flliptic and Flyperbolic
Arcs ; and Mr. D’Alembert, in the Memoirs of the
Berlin Academy, has made fome improvement upon
what had been before Written on that fubjed:. But
fome of the Theorems given* by thofe Gentlemen
being in part expreffed by the difference between
an, Arc of an Hyperbola and its Tangent, and fuch
difference being not diredly attainable, when fuch
Arc and its Tangent both become infinite, as they
will do when the whle Fluent is wanted, although
fuch Fluent be at the fame time finite ; thofe The-
orems therefore in that cafe fail, a computation
thereby being then impradicable, without fome far-
ther help.

The fiipplying that defed T confidered as a point
of fome importance in Geometry, and therefore I
3 ' carneftly

. .5- -r

I

[299']'

earneflly wl£hed, -and endeavoured, to accomplifla
that bufinefs ; my aim, being to afcertain, by means
of fiich arcs, as above-mentioned, the himit of the
difference between the Hyperbolic Arc and its Tan-
gent,, vvhilft the point of contadt is fuppofed to be
carried to an infinite diftance from the vertex of the
curve, .feeing that, by the help of that Limits the
computation would be rendered pradlicable in the
cafe wherein, without fuch help, the before-men-
tioned Theorems fail. And having fucceeded to my
fatisfadtion, 1 prefume, the refult of my endeavours,
which this Paper contains,, will not be unacceptable
to the Royal Society,

I.

Suppofe the curve ADEF (Tab. XII. fig. i.) to
be a conic Hyperbola, whofe femi-tranfverfe axis AC
is = w, and femi-conjugate =

Let CP, perpendicular to the tangent DP, be

called p j and put f Then (as

is well known) will DP — AD be = the fluent of ‘

- ^ - -j p and 2 being each =- to m when

2f z —

A D is := 0.

2.

Suppofe the curve adefg (fig. 2.) to be a qua-
drant of an Ellipjts, whofe femi-tranfverfe axis eg is

itz slfTp and femi-conjugate ac zzz n. Let

Q^q 2 C t

n.

[ 300 ]

ct be perpendicular to the tangent dt, and let the
ablciffa cp be = « X — . Then will the faid tan-

* ml

gent d t he = ms

mz

i and the fluxion thereof

will be found

, _i .

•=: \ mn % X

m

I rr^ z^ X

m%Y

v'«-‘ -j- 2/z — x.""

In the expreflion

yqzll.

-j- by I'" c -\r dy

n**

let

c dy
a by

be fuppofed = z. Then will ^ be => and
the propofed expreflion will be

u a

Tc) * - * X z-^k

az

— ^ X d — bzV+^-

Taking, in the lafl; article, r and s each = |,

%

^ — , b=ziy and c-=^ti‘, we have

m

n ,

— + >
m

1 / 1 1 \

y'^ y f ni^ n—'^ y~^ y i

i V *^n^ + 2fy^y^J

X « — _ _y
m

— mnz’~-^z X

1 2

m — z‘

n* + mzY

ft

C 301 ]

It appears therefore, that, y being X

I y'^ y

1 i

1 2'2 X

V«" -t- 2/> • — y'' 'lf%

IS

z=z \mn^z ^ z y.

m

2I i

I X

1 z2 i

«" + 7« Z 1 * 4- 2/ Z — Z‘

which, by Art. 2. is = the fuxion of tJoe tang. dt.

Confequently, taking the fluents, by Art. i. and
correcting them properly, we find
DP — AD + FR.~AF=:L + dt.

II. —I

CP, in fig. I. being cp, in fig. 2. =« X— ' ;

CR, perpendicular to the tangent FR == y'^ ;

DP — AD = the fluent of •

Vn^ + 2/z — a'

F R — A F the fluent of ^ — ;

V«^ 2 f y —

and L the Limit to which the difference DP— AD,
or FR — A F, approaches, upon carrying the point
D, or F, from the vertex A ad inflttitum.

5*

Suppofe y equal to Zy and that the points D and F
then coincide in E, the points d and p being at the
fame time in e and q refpeCtively. Then c v being
perpendicular to the tangent ev, that tangent will

be a maximum and equal to eg — ac — 'drn^ ~\-7r ^ n ;
the tangent EQj[in the hyperbola) will be=Vw^T^j

the

[ 302 1

the abfclffa BC = m / 1 + - . " W; the ordinate

V m + n

BE = ?2 X ^ It. appears, that

V + n‘‘

L IS — zE Qj~” 2AE — ev = «-|- -\-?i 2 A E !

Thus the luhnit which I propofed^to afcertain is in-
veftigated, m and n being any right lines whatever !

6.

1 A .

The whole fluent of " ^ » generated

V 4- 2/z —

whilft z from 0 becomes = being equal to T ;
and the fluent of the fame fluxion (fuppoflng it to
begin when z begins) being in general equal to
L + AD — DP = FR — AF — dt ; it appears,
that, k being the value of z correfponding to the

fluent i 4. AD — D P, wil> be the value

of z correfponding to the fluent T -p

and FR AF will be the part generated whilft z

from 1”.”' -11 becomes = m. It follows therefore,

mk nr

that the tang, d t , together with the fluent ot

X I

= generated whilft z from 0 becomes

be-

equal tilny "quantity k, is equal to fluent oj the
fame fluxion generated whilft % from

I

comes = j c p being taken n x —1 •

Suppofc

[ 3°3 ]

Suppofe k ■=z

m n

k

its value vvull then be

ri^ mk

— sj m“ -|- ;z“ — Confequently the fluent of

VI

Z I

I- z

V «"■ + 2 /’z —

711 '

11

generated whilfl; % from o becomes
, together wflth the quantity

Vzzz* -|- n — ;z, is equal to the fluent of the fame
fluxion generated whilfl: z from 4"

n — —

n

m

becomes = m : and thefe two parts of the whoie
Jluent being denoted by M and N refpedively j

M will be — AE, and N = -p ii — AE.

7*

The fluent of.

being JL-j-AD—DP,

the fluent of ■

1 X

^ Vl'^ z

V n^-i-2fZ‘~z'

+DP — AD—E will he~0,.

I I

Therefore, the fluent of ^ -{- the fluent of

\m~ z~ k
2fz—z‘

*^n‘'-{-2fz — z

4 _

being ziz: the fluent o^lz~^zx^

m

it is obvious, that the fluent of

\ ^ li^ z~ z

V/?" + 2/5

IS

z= D P - AD - L + the fluent of i 4; X

m — z

= D

[ 30+ ]

r= D P — AD — Z, the elliptic arc dg (fig. 2.)
whofe ablfifla c p is ~ « x —

^ m I

Confequently, putting E for I of the periphery
of that ellipfis, it appears that the whole fluent of

rn~- z~ ~

=, generated whllH; z from o becomes

V -p 2/z z"’ '

:=^m, is equal to JS— AE — « —

8. •

By taking, in Art. 3. q, r, and each =: | j
and a =1 — d ~ b — i, and c z=r. we find.

7n

mri^-^n^z

z z

: +

y~2y

that, ify be = — r— —

n +OTZ sf ^ if % — z,‘‘ *dn^-{-2f y —

will be r= 0.

It is obvious therefore, that the fluent of

generated whilfl: 2; from 0 becomes

m k

4- 2/2 — z

equal to any quantity is equal to the fluent of the
fame fluxion, generated whilfl: z from ~r— — ^ be-
comes = m.

Now, fuppoling k =

— \jm n .

mn

n^k

rnk

, its value will be

m

m

Confequently, the fluent of “

+ 2/2 2*

rated whilfl: z from 0 becomes = -

IS

[ 305 ]

is equal to halj the fluent of the fame fluxlonj^enerated
whiift z from o becomes rr: m ; which half fluent is
known by the preceding article.

It appears, by Ar. 4. that

I I

z

is = — iht flux, of the tang, dt;

and it appears, by the lafl article, that

X _I

m~ y y

+

z

IS

V -{■ 2f y — y"" V -H 3 fz. —

m 71 — 11 y — 11 z — my z being c=: 0,
Therefore, by addition, we have

0 ;

V X

+

Z X mzY
m —

m — y

•— — the fluxion of the tangent d t.

Confequently, by taking the corretft fluents, we
find the tang, dt (=: the tang, fw) =: the arc

ad — the arc fg ! the abfcifla cp being ■:= n x — y

m 1

the abfciflTa zi ~ n x I- , and their relation ex-

»;

■ n^'u''

^ 1, Z

m u z)

preflTed by the equation
z=Oy u and v being put for cp and cr refpe<fl;ively.

Moreover, the tangents dt, fw, will each be

rr^uv

and Ct xcw = cv^;:^:ac XCg.

If for the femi-tranfverfe axis eg we fubflitute h

nflead of 4- the relation of « to *u will be
VoL. LXI. R r exprefled

[ 3o6 ]

cxprefTed by the equation

— 71" ^ — 71' X *y* = Oy and

dt (rzrfw) will be r= —ZlJLxuv.

If u and V be refpedlively put for fr and dp, their
relation will be expreffed by the equation

If — If if — If X ~ Oy and

d t (= f w) will be = ~ff- x uv.

10.

Suppofe y — to z, (that fs, v — z/) and that th-e
points d and f coincide in e. In which cafe the
tangent dt will be a 777aximuniy and = eg — ac.
It appears then that the a7'0 ae — the arc eg is
c g — a c.

Confeqtiently, putting JL for the quadrantal arc ag,
■we find that the arc ae is —

2

t E — b n \

the arc e g = !

There are, I am aware, fome other parts of the
arc ag, whofe lengths may be affigned by means of
the whole length (ag) with right lines; but to in-
velligate fuch other parts is not to my prei'ent pur-
pofe.

1 1.

Taking m and 7i each = i ; that is, ac (~AC)

rz 1, and eg — 2y let the arc ag be then ex-

7 preffed

C 307 ]

prefled hy e put ^ for | of the periphery of the circle
whofe radius is r ; and let the whole fuents of

T i

and

r z

, — . =, generated whilft z from 0 be-

V f — Vi — z’’

comes I, be denoted by F and G refpecliveiy.
Then, by what is faid above, F G will be ^ ;
and, by my theorem for comparing curvilineal areas,
or fluents, publifhed in the Philof. TranfaSl. for the
year 1768, it appears that F x G is ~ \c. From

which equations we find F =: i e — — 2c,

and Pjz=.\e^\'^e^ — 2 <;•

Bat m and n being each — i, L is =r F ; there-
fore I -P 2 — 2 AE, the value of L, from Art. 5.

is, in this cafe, ■=.\e — i '^e'' ■ — 2c. Confequently,
in the equilateral hyper boluy the arc AE, whofe abfeifl'a

BC is=V I w'ill be = |-P-^— + — 2c,

V 2 V 2

by what is faid in the article lafl; mentioned. Hence
the r edification of that arc may be effedted by means
of the circle and ellipjis !

The application of thefe Improvements will be
eafily made by the intelligent Reader, who is ac-
quainted with what has been before written on the
iubjedt. But there is a theorem (demonftrable by
what is proved in Art. 8.) fo remarkable, that 1
cannot conclude this difquihtion without taking no-
tice of it.

1 2.

R r 2

C 308 ]

iz.

Let (fig. 3.) be a circle perpendicular to

the horizon, whofe higheft point is /, lowed: and

center m : let p and q be any points in the femi-
circumference Ipqn: draw pSy qt parallel to the
horizon, interfering Imn in s and t j and, having
joined Ipy pt, make the angle Ipv equal to Itpy
and draw r v parallel to q t, interfering the circle
in r, and the diameter / m n in v. Let a pendulum,
or other heavy body, defcend by its gravity komp
along the arc pqrn\ the body fo defcending will
pafs over the arc p q exariy in the fame time as it
will pafs over the arc j and therefore, qt and
coinciding when / / is equal to Ipy it is evident that
the lime of delcent from p io q will then be precifely
equal to half the time of defcent from p io n\

And it is farther obfervable, that, if be a
quadrant, the whole time of defcent will be

I.

— j\ — 2C; the radius /w, or m

being —a ; and B being put (for 16 /_ feet) the fpace
a heavy body defcending freely from reft falls through
in one fecond of time.

In general, ns being denoted by dy and the diftance
of the body from the line p r, in its defcent, by x,
the fluxion of the time of defcent will be cxprelfed by

_i _ I

^ 5 the fluent whereof,

“^2 ad ■ — — 2 a — %d . x — x^

correfponding to any value of Xy may be obtained by
Art. 7. By which article it appears, that the whde

time

C 3 °9 ]

time of defcent from any point p will be
= -T~i — ^ X E -b 2AE — pn — ps.

X 2a — d

The femi-tranfverfe AC (fig. i.) being ■=z.ns%
the femi-tranfverfe eg (fig. 2.) z=.np\
and the femi-eonjugate in each figure :=: ps.

Since writing the above, I have difeovered a ge-
neral theorem for the rectification of the Hyperbola,
by means of two Ellipfes j the inveftigation whereof
I purpofe to make the fubjeCt of another Paper.

XXXVII. Jl

[ 310 ].

XXXVII. A L,etter , from Mr, John Rein-
hold Forfter, F.A, S. to the Daines
Barrington, Vke-PreJ. R. S, on the
Managefnent of Carp in Polifh Pruffia.

Somerfet-houfe Stable-yard, May 29, 1771.

Dear Sir,

Bead June 13, "'^/T O U was fo kind as to judge favour-
j|^ ably of the few hints I threw out
in a converfation, about the manageme/2t of Carp in
Prudia and in the 'eledlorates of Brandenburg and
Saxony, and defired me to colled my obfervations
upon that fubjed, into a fmall mernoire. Though
I am very fenfible, that there are many more ca-
pable of giving a fatisfadory account of the manage-
ment of carp ; 1 will, however, to obey your

friendly commands, communicate to you fuch obfer-
vations as I can colled from my own experience ; from
the methods obferved in Pruffia, Brandenburg, and
Saxony, where I had opportunities to enquire into the
fubjed, during my ftay in thefe countries; and laflly,
from the inltrudions of an anonymous German patriot,
in a book, intitled, A Sflem of all the Sciences relative
to Occonomy and the Finances, in cal'e you find thefe

obfer-

\

.4

C 3“ ]

obfervatlons defervlng to be laid before the Royal
Society, I fliall think myfelf very much honoured
' by it.

I am, with the fincerefl fentiments of gratitade.
and regard.

Dear Sir,,

Your much obliged humble fervant,

John Reinhold Forfter^

Ohfervations on the beff 'way of managing Carp^ from
real experience ^ and the tejt methods now in life.

f

IT would be needlefs to fpeak of the natural
hiftory of this well-flavoured flib, after the fatisfadtory
account given of it in the Britifh Zoology by that
moft accurate zoologift Mr. Pennant. I will only
obferve this, that though the carp is now commonly
found' in ponds and rivers, and generally thought to
be a frefh-w^ater fifh -f*, the ancient zoologifts ranged

* Britifh Zool. Vol. HI. p. 300, &c.

I have great reafon to think, that many other fifh, which, it
is commonly conceived, can only live in the fea, may alfo exift,
at Icuft, for feveral years, and perhaps breed, in freih water.

the

t

[ 312 ]

the Itime among the fea-fifli : and I know inftances
of its being caught in the harbour of Dantzig, be-
tween that city and a little town called Hela ; which

The fmelt or fparling (Salmo Eperlanus Linnaei) never comes
up our rivers, but for a fiiort time ; and then does not penetrate
much further than where the water continues to be brackifti.

I have, however, been informed by Sir Francis Barnard (the
late Governor of New England) that in a large pool which he
rented net far from Borton, and which had not the leaft com-
munication with the Tea, feveral of thefe fiflr, originally introduced
from the fait water, had lived many years, and were, to all ap-
pearance, very healthy.

I have alfo the following welUattefted fa£t with regard to the
common grey mullet, which it is believed was never before'taken
in frelh water.

Mr. Kymer hath made, near Kidwelly in Carmarthenfhire, a
communication between his collieries and an arm of the fea, by
means of a canak

Before this canal was compleated, the fait water filled it at
every tide, and feveral mullets were by this means introduced.

For thefe three or four years, the fea hath been entirely ex-
cluded i and the canal, from the conftant influx of frefli water,
hath ceafed to bfetbrackifli for more than two years.

The mullets, however, continue to live in this canal ; though
Mr, Kymer informs me, they do not look in fo good condition,
as w'hen frefh from the fea.

We are fo much in the dark about the natural hiftoryof fifh,
particularly thofe of the fait water, that it is to be wifhed fea
• j ftews were made on fome of our coafts, as I am told is very com-
monly pradifed in North America, and for a very trifling ex-
pence.

Nothing more is requifite, than either to find or dig a proper
cavity, perhaps a yard below the low water mark, at fpring tides,
from which the fea fhould be excluded, exceprt at a narrow
entrance, where large fiones fliould be piled from the beach to
above the high water mark.

Through luch an inlet, theftew would be every twelve hours,
fiipplied with frtfh fait water, at the fame time that the fijh would
not be able to make their cfcape.,

5

i

[ 313 ]

is fituated at the extremity of a long, narrow, Tandy
promontory, projeding Eaftwards into the fea, and
forming the gulf before Dantzig, of about 30
Engl i Hi miles diameter. Thefe carp were forced,
as I fuppofe, by a florm, from the mouth of the
Viftula, which here enters the Baltic, into the fea;
and as the other two branches of the Viftula or
Weixel difembogue into a large frefli water lake, '
called the Trifh-Haff, which has a communication
with the fea at Pillau ; it is equally probable, that
thefe fifh came round from Pillau, to the harbour of
Dantzig ; efpecially as they are frequently found in
the Trifli-HafF.

The fale of carp makes a part of the revenue of
the nobility and gentry in Pruffia, Pomerania, Bran-
denburgh, Saxony, Bohemia, Mecklenburgh, and '
Holftein 5 - and the way of managing this ufeful
nth is therefore reduced in thefe countries into a
kind of fyftem, built on a great number of experi-
ments, made during feveral ' generations, in the
families of gentlemen well {killed in every branch
of hufoandry.

The firfi: thing which mufl be attended to, in cafe
a gentleman choofes to have carp-ponds, is to
feledt the ground where they are to be made :

I

By this very eafily-contrived refervolr, fea-fifh, when caught in
too great numbers, might be kept for the fupply of the table or
market, when perhaps the weather will not permit them to be
taken ; and many ingenious experiments might be tried.

It is not impofllble (for example) that the filli of the frcfii
water might be improved, by continuing in fuch a flew for a
fortnight or three weeks, as horfes are faid to thrive by feeding on
the fait marfhes.

S s

VoL. LXI.

Daines Barrington*
> ‘for

C 314 1 ,

for upon the foil, water, and fituatlon of a pond, the
fuccefs in the management greatly depends. The
bed: kind of ponds ought to be iituated in a well-
manured, fertile plain, furrounded by the fineft
paftures and corn fields of a rich black mould, hav-
ing either mild or foft fprings on the fpot, or a rivulet
that runs through the plain; the water ought to be
mild and foft, by no means too cold, or impregnated
with acid, calcareous, felenitic, or other mineral par-
ticles. The expofure muft be dieltered againft the
cold blafting Eaflerly or Northern winds, by a ridge
of hills, fituated at fome diftance from the pond,
enjoying fully the benign influence of the fun,
far from any thick fliady wood, that might intercept
the beams of the fun, or where the leaves of trees
might caufe a putrefaction, or impregnate the water
with aflringent particles.

Such ponds as are furrounded by poor, cold, and
ftiff foils, are open to the Eafl and North winds,
have a wood on one or two fides, and hard or cold
water, or fuch as ilTues from mines, moors,, or mofles,
are inferior in goodnefs. • .

Ponds in a poor, dry, or fandy foil, furrounded by
pines or firs, with the jufi-mentioned inconveniences,
are confidered as the worflof all.

The ground towards the pond ought to have a
gentle fiope ; for deep vallies are fubjeCt to great
floods, and will then endanger the dikes in a wet
rainy feafon ; and often the expectations of many*
years are carried away.

The foil cannot be altered : it is therefore a chief
qualification of a pond, to be contrived in a good
foil.

The

C 3^5 ]

The fun is a lefs material article j provided there-
fore a pond can enjoy the morning and noon-tide fun,
it matters not much if the wood be on one or two of
its fides.

The water is a material point j but in cafe the
fprings that fupply the ponds are very cold and hard,
it may be feftened and tempered by expofing it
to the fun and air in a large refervoir above the
pond, or by leading it for a long way in an open ex-
pofure, before it enters the pond.

The quantity of water to fupply the pond with,
is another requilite j too much water makes too great
a canal neceffary, for carrying its fuperfluity off j and
this is very expenfive : too little water has another
inconvenience, viz. that of keeping the water too
long in the pond, and to caufe a ftagnation, without
any fufficient frefh fupplies ; and often, in a dry fea-
fon, the fcantinefs of frefh water diflreffes the fifb,
and caufes difeafes and mortality among them.

The above remarks are general, and rauft be ap-
plied to all kinds of ponds ; but now I will enter
into a more minute detail : it is found by experience
moft convenient, to have three kinds of ponds for
carp. The firft is called the fpawning-pond ; the -
nurfery is the fecond 3 and the main-pond is the third
and largeft.

There are two methods for flocking the ponds
with carp ; either to buy a few old fifli, and to put
them into a fpawning-pond ; or to purchafe a good
quantity of one year’s old fry, for the nurfery. I
will treat of both methods, and will add fomething
about the management of carp in the main-pond.

S s 2

A pond

C 316 ]

A pond intended for fpawning, muft be well
cleaned of all other kinds of filh, efpecially fuch as
are of a rapacious nature, viz. pike, pearch, eel, and
trout and alfo of all the newts or larva of lizards,
and the dytifei or water-beetles, which frequently
deftroy quantities of the fry, to the great lofs of the
owner.

A rich foil, gentle Hoping banks, mild fprings, or
a conftant fupply of good foft water, with a fine ex-
pofure in regard to fun and air, are the chief requifites
for a good fpawning-pond.

A pond of the fize of about one acre, requires
three or four male carp, and fix or eight female onesj,
and thus further, in proportion to each acre, the fame
number of males and females.

The befi; carp for breeders are five, fix, or feverr
years old, in good health, in full fcale, without any^
blemifh or wound (efpecially fuch as are caufed by
the Icrncea cyprini Linn, a kind of cartilaginous-
worm) with fine full eyes and a long body. Such
as are fickly, move not brilkly, have Ipots as if they
had the fmall-pox, have either loft their fcales, or
have them fticking but loofely to the body, whofe
c}'es lie deep in their heads, are fhort, deep, and lean,
will never produce good breed.

Being provided with a fet of fuch carp as are here
deferibed, and fufficient to ftock a pond with, it is
beft to put them, on a fine calm day, the latter end
of March or in April, into the fpawning-pond. Care
muft betaken, that 'the fifh be not too much hurt by
being tranfported in a hogfhead, nor put into the
pond on a ftormy day 5 for they are eafily thrown

upon

C 3'7 1

upon the fliallows on the Tides, being weak and
harraiied by being caught, removed, and not yet ac-
quainted with the deep holes for their retreat, in the
new habitation.

Carp fpawn in May, June, or July, according as
the warm feafon fets in earlier or later. The warm
weather expands and fwells gently the bodies of the
fifh ; and their bellies being diftended with roe and,
milt, they feel an itching about thofe turgid parts, and
therefore fwim to a fhallow, warm, fheltered place,
where the bottom of the pond is either fomewhat
Tandy or gritty, where Tome grafs and aquatic plants
grow, or where Tome ozier branches and roots hang
in the water ; they gently rub their bodies againft
the ground, the grafs, or oziers, and by this preflure,
the fpawn ilfues out; and as the milter, by a natural
indin<5t, follows the fpawner, and feels the fame itch-
ing, the calls of nature are gratified in the fame
manner, and the foft roe or milt is fpread over the
fpawn, and thus impregnated. Carp in this feafon
are frequently feen fwimming, as if it were in a circle,
about the fame fpot, which is merely done with an
intention of repeating the rubbing of their expanded
bellies. The fined and calmefi: furnmer days are com-
monly thofe on which carp fpawn ; providence hav-
ing thus made a provifion for the greater fecurity of
the fry of fo ufeful a fidi ; as otherwife, in a dormy
day, the fpawn would be wadied towards the banks,
where it would be eaten up by birds, or trampled upon
by men and quadrupeds, or dried up by the heat of
the fun, and a whole generation, of carp entirely
dedroyed. In a pond of my uncle’s, I frequently
found the carp in a warm furnmer evening, round a
• Large

[ 3‘S ]

large ftcne, rubbing their bellies againilthe hard Tandy
ground ; I often approached with as much iilence as
pofiible, put my hands and feet among the fporJng
carp, and had the fatisfa(ftion to fee them pafs and
repafs through my hands, without being in the ieafl
didurbed ; but at the lead: noife or quick motion oc-
cafioned by me, they moved away with furprizing
velocity.

About the fpawning feafon, great care mud be
taken, to keep out all aquatic fowl, wild and tame,
from the ponds ; for gcele and ducks not only fwal-
low the fpawn, but dedroy dill more of it, by fearch-
ing the weeds and aquatic plants. It is therefore a
general rule, to fend twice a day, a man round the
ponds, to fcare all wild fowl, viz. fwans, geefe,
ducks, cranes, and herons.

. Sometimes crufians and carp, or tench and carp,
being put together in a pond, and the males and
females of each kind not being in a jud proportion
one to another, the different fpecies mix their roe and
milt, and thus produce mules or mongrel breeds. ‘ •

The mules, between carp and crudans*, feldom
and dowly attain the fize, which carp are capable of;

* The fifli thus named is fiippofed to be the fame with the
rud or finfcale (See Br. Zoo). Vol. III. p 310 ). Jt is notvciy
common in England, and is generally erteemed to be much in-
ferior to a carp in point of flavour, which I rather conceive to
arife from its being placed in improper ponds, or eaten when it
is not fully in feafon, as our countryman Mr. Henfhavv gives
the following account of the Icaroufle (cyprlnus caraufius of
Linnaeus). “ The crawfifh of tliat country (meaning Den-
“'mark) are at lead twice as big as ours, and arc excellent
“ mcatj but the cboiccft pond fifh they have, is called karoufe^

C 319 ]

they arc very deep, and fhorter in proportion than
carp, but of a very hardy nature.

The mules between carp and tench, partake of the
nature of both fifli, come to a good lize j but fom#
part of their body is covered with the fmall dimy
fcales of a tench, and fome other part has the larger
fcales of carp 5 their fleili approaches nearer to that
of a tench, and they are likewife of a lefs tender na-
ture than the common carp : this latter kind of mule
is called in Germany fpiegel karpe^ i.e. the mirror ~carp^
the blotches with large fcales among the fmaller ones
being confidered as mirrors.

Whether thefe mules are capable of propagating
their fpecies, I cannot affirm ; never having made
any experiments on that fubjedt ; nor have I heard
any thing faid on that head with any degree of pre-
cifion, or founded on experience. In fome ponds
in Lancaihire, I was told, by a gentleman of great
worth and honour, both thefe kinds of mules are
now and then found.

I think it, however, not advifeable, to put carp and
tench, or carp and crufians, in one pond, unlefs it be
done for experiment’s fake; in which latter cafe, a
fmall pond, free from other fiffi, with one or two fiffi
of each kind, will be fufficient to gratify curiofity,
without debafing a generation of carp in a large

“ fomewliat refemblirtg a roach, with his red fins ; but it Is
near as big as the larpeft carp, and much better meat.”

Dr. Birch’s Hift, R, S. Vol. III. p. 187.

D. B.

The

[ 320 1

The young fry being hatched from the fpawn, by
the benign influence of the fun, they are left the
whole fummer, and even the next winter, in the
fpawning-pond, in cafe the pond be fo'deep, that the
fuffocation of the young tender fry under the ice in a
fevere winter, is not to be apprehended, for it is by
no means advantageous to take them out in the firft
months of their exiftence. However, if the fliallow-
nefs of the pond, its cold fltiiation and climate, make
it necelTary to fecure the fry againfl: the rigours of the
enfuing winter, the water of the pond muft be let
ofFj the fry and old flfli will gradually retire to the
canal and ditches, which communicate with the hole
in the middle of the pond, and a net, with fmall
meflaes, is then employed to catch both the fry and
old ones. The old breeders are then feparated from
the fry, and both kinds put in feparate ponds, that '
are warmer and more convenient for the wintering of
thefe delicate fifh. Care muft be taken, to fix upon
a calm, mild day, at the latter end of September, for
the catching of the fry out of the fpawning-pond.

The nurferies are the fecond kind of ponds in-
tended for the bringing up the young fry. The heft
time to put them into the nurfery is in March or
April, on a fine and calm day. A thoufand or twelve
hundred of this fry may be allotted to each’ acre of
a pond. The choice of the fry muft be made ac-
cording to the above enumerated charafters of good
and healthy fifti, and muft be carefully removed
from one pond to another It is likewife requifite to
fend. people with long fticks, all the firft day, round
the pond, in order to drive the tender and weak fry
from the Tides into the pond, becaufe they are be-
2 wildered

[ 321 3

wildered in a ftrange place, and often become the
prey of rapacious birds

In cafe the pond be good, and not overftocked
before, and the fry well-chofen and preferved, it is
almoft certain, they will grow within two fummers
fo much as to weigh four, live, and fometimes fix
pounds, and to be flediy and well-tafled. A great
many Pruflian gentlemen make a good profit, by fell-
ing their carp, after two years landing in the nur-
fery, and export them even to Finland and Rullia.

The main-ponds are the lall kind. In thefe, carp
are put, that meafure a foot, head and tail in-
clufive. Every fquare of fifteen feet in the pond
is fufficient for one carp, and will afford food and
room for the fifh to play in. The more room carp
have, and confequently the more food the pond
affords, the quicker will be the growth of the fifh.
The longer the pond has been already in ufe, the
longer you intend to keep the carp in it, the more
you defire to quicken the growth of them, the more
you ought to leffen the number of fifh deftined for -
the pond. Spring and autumn are the beft feafons
for flocking your main-ponds. The growth of your
fifh will always be in proportion with the food they
have : for carp are obferved to grow a long time,
and to come to a very confiderable fize, and a re-
markable weight. I recoiled; to have feen carp
above a yard long, and of 25 pounds weight j but I

* I have reafon to think that the common carrion crow fhould
be added to the lift of birds, which Mr. Forfter hath before fup-
pofed deftroy fifh when in {hallow waters, as I once faw this
bird taken by a trap, which was baited with a fifh for a heron.

D. B.

T t had

VoL. LXL

[ 322 ]

had no opportunity to afcertain their real age. In
the pond at Charlottenburg, a palace belonging to
the king of Pruffia, I faw more than two or three
hundred carp between two and three feet long ; and
I was told by the keeper, they were between 50 and
60 years ftanding : they were tame, and came to the
fhore in order to be fed ; they fwallowed with eafe a
piece of white bread, of the fize of half a half-
penny roll.

During winter, ponds ought to have their full com-
plement of water ; for the deeper the water is, the
warmer lies the fi(h. In cafe the pond be covered
with ice, every day fome holes muft be opened, for
the admiffion of frefh air into the pond, for want of
which frequently carp perifh.

In the fummer, obferve to clean the rails and wire-
works, in the water-courfes, of the weeds and grafs,
which frequently ftop them up. Birds that feed on
iifli muft be carefully kept out of the ponds. In a
great drought, provifion ought to be made, to keep
the water at the fame height as it commonly (lands in
the pond, t. e. between four and five feet. If the
water ftagnates and grows putrid, it muft be let off*,
and a fupply of frelh water be introduced from the
refervoirs. If the weeds, cfpecially reed and flags,
and fome of the aquatic gralTes, over-run too much the
pond, feithes fixed on poles of 16 or 20 feet, with
a lead faftened to them to keep the feithes on the
bottom of the pond, are thrown out, and then again
drawn to the perfon that works with them, and the
weeds will all be cut ; after which operation, they
muft be drawn up by long harrows, and fet in heaps
on the ftiore for putrefadion, and in length of time,

[ 323 ]

for manure. This cleaning of ponds, mufl never
be done in a fpawning-pond, where it would be the
dedrudtion of thoufands of fifh.

Autumn is the befl feafon for catching fuch carp
as are intended for the market. After the pond has
been for five or fix years in conftant ufe, it is likewife
time to let the water entirely off, and clear the pond of
the mud, which often increafes too much, and be-
comes a nuifance. When the pond is dry, it may
be ploughed before the frofb fets in, and next fpring
oats or barley fhould be fown in it, after a new
ploughing; and it will repay the trouble to the owner
with a rich and plentiful crop. When the loofe fu-
perfluous mud is carried off out of the pond, care
ought to be taken not to take the foil below the ori-
ginal level of the pond.

Some people fow a pond, which hath been laid dry
for fome months, with oats ; and when they are grow-
ing, they fill the pond with water, and introduce
carp for fpawning, and think, by this contrivance, to
procure food for the fifii and fomething to rub their
bellies againll:. But this pradlice feems to be more
noxious than beneficial ; for the growfing oats will
putrefy, and communicate putridity to the water,
which can by no means be falutary to the fifh.

The epicures fometimes feed carp, during the
colder feafon, in a cellar. The following method is
the befi; that can be obferved for that purpofe. A
carp is laid on a great quantity of wet mofs, fpread
on a piece of net, which then is gathered into a purfe,
and the mofs fo contrived, that the whole fifh be en-
tirely wrapt np in it: however, care mull: be taken
to give the fifli eafe, and not to fqueeze it, fo that

T t 2 it

[ 3H 3

it may have room to breathe in this confined attitude.
The net with the fifh and mofs is then plunged into
water and hung up to the cieling of the cellar. In
the beginning, this operation muft be very frequently
repeated, at leaft every three or four hours j by
length of time the fifh will be more ufed to the new
element, and will bear to be out of water for fix or
feven hours Its food is bread foaked in milk,
which, in the beginning, muff be adminiftred to the
fifh in fmall quantities ; in a fliort time the fifh will
bear more and grow fatter. I faw the experiment
tried in a nobleman’s-houfe, in the principality of An-
halt-DefTau ; and during a fortnight, I vifited myfelf,
every day, the fifli, together with the young noble-
man, my friend, whom I accompanied to his feat
from the univerfity, during the Chriftmafs-vacation.
After the fifli had been kept in the above manner
during a fortnight, it was drelTed and ferved up at
dinner, when every one prefent found it excellent
in its flavour. At my late uncle’s, I had an
opportunity of repeating the experiment on a carp

It is known to every one that a carp will live a great while
out of water ; but perhaps it may not be fo notorious, that the
keeping him feveral hours in the common air, without any pre-
cautions, may be repeated from day to day, without any apparent
inconvenience to the fifh.

There is a fifhmonger near Clare -market, who, in the
winter, expofes for Tale, a bufhel at leaft of carp and tench, in
the fame dry veflel : but a fmall proportion of thefe can be fold
in a day; and I have frequently been informed, that the fifh con-
tinue in good health, notwithftanding their being thus expofed
to the air fix or feven hours for feveral fucceflive days.

D. B.

5

that

' [ 325 ]

that had been brought 20 miles wrapt up in wet
mofs j but after the fifli had been kept three days in
wet mofs, during which it was frelh and healthy, it
was employed to regale a friend, whofe unexpected
arrival accelerated its fate, before the experiment
was finifhed.

John Reinhold Forfter^

XXXVIII. An

[ 326 ]

XXXVIII. An Account of the remarkable
Cold ohfervccl at Glafgow, in the Month of
January, 1768 ; in a Letter from Mr.
Alexander Wilfon, Profejfor of Aftronomy
at Glafgow, to the Rev. Mr. Nevil Mafke-
line, B, D, F. R. S. ajid Afronof7^er
RoyaL

Reverend Sir,

College, Glafgow, May 29, 1771.

Read Nov. 7, T_T A V I N G of late had feme leifure
^771* f I time, I have made out from my
minutes, a detail of the remarkable cold which pre-
vailed here in the month of January, 1768; the
intenfity of which being fo extraordinary for this
climate, an account of it may perhaps be thought
worthy of a place in the Philofophical Tranfac-
tions.

Whilft in bed, on funday morning, January 3,
1768, about 8 o’clock, it felt fomehow unufually
cold. A little while after, on reaching out for a
decanter which I had placed near me the preceding

night.

f 327 ]

night, with fome water in it, I was furprlzed to
find the furface of the water frozen over, the like
not having happened before in that place. Upon
this, I defined my fen to try the cold by a thermome-
'ter, as I imagined it behooved to be very intenfe.
The experiment was foon after made, by exppfing
a thermometer at a high North window, and free
from the walls of the houfe ; in which fituation it
had not remained for a quarter of an hour, when we
found the mercury had fallen fo low as to 5 deg. of
Fahrenheit’s fcale.

Although I had expeded a great degree of cold,
yet 1 was not quite prepared for fo extraordinary a re-
port as that which the thermometer now gave me.
My doubts were, however, foon fettled, by examin-
ing matters with more attention, and by finding the
firif thermometer verified by my ftandard one,
which was now hung out befide it.

Being thus fatisfied that there was no fallacy in this
preliminary obfervation, it naturally occurred, that the
cold, however intenfe it now was, might have been
much more fo at fome earlier hour of the morning.
But how to afeertain this, and to recover the lofi: ob-
fervation, was the difficulty. In the eagernefs of
our difappointed curiofity, we were difpofed to mag-
nify this golden opportunity, which had now efcaped
us, and to refled upon it with regret, when luckily
a little invention helped us out. A notion fuggefied
itfelf, that, if we went very warily to work, we
might perhaps furprize thole imagined colds ftill
lurking under the furface of the fnow, which at that
time lay thick upon the ground.

I need

c 328 ]

I need not mention upon what principles of the
heating and cooling of bodies this expedation was
founded, as they will readily occur of themfeives.
The fadt was, that I immediately repaired to the
fields, and fought out a low place, upon which the
fun had not then rifen ; here I laid the thermometer
in the fnow, almoft upon the very furface, when pre-
fently the mercury funk from -|-d deg. to — 2 deg.
which therefore I concluded to have been pretty
nearly thecoldeft temperature of the air over night.

The next thing was, to make regular obfervations
with the thermometer, fo long as the cold promifed
to continue remarkable. The inflrument was hung
upon a pole near to the obfervatory, and to the wind-
ward of it, care having been alfo taken to keep it
under a proper fliade, fo long as the fun flione out.

Regijier of the Thermoyneter^ kept at the M- Far lane obfervatory^ of
the college of GlafgoWy on funday 'January 3, and monday Janu-
ary 4, 1768.

Sunday 10 o’clock -p 5 deg.

7

g The temperature of the fn®w

10 on funday morning, at about ten

1 1 inches below the furface, was near
gh to 30 deg.

H
si

2
li

— ' I

—

morning 1 1
12

afternoon i

2

3

si

4

4l

5

si

6

7

8 —

8f

9

9I

10

io|

1 1
III
12

Monday i

morning 2

2^

■*2

3

3l

4

4f

5

[ 329 ]

+

1

o

u

7

9

JO

12

Some appearance of clouds in the?
S.E.,

Clouds gathering, and fonae wind:
from E.

Qiiite overcaft, wind E.

Ditto

Ditto

It was obfervable, that after fun fetting, the atmof-
phere had a tendency fonaetimes to turn a little foggy,,
and again quickly to clear up, balancing, as it were,
betwixt thefe two different ftates. It is worthy of
notice, that the minute variations of the thermometer,
asfet down in the above regifter, feemed to depend
upon thefe different conflitutions of the air; the
mercury always riling in the thermometer a fmall
matter, when the miftinefs came on, 2ind. vice verfa.

In the intervals of obfervations, we made fome other
experiments, which the prefent intenfity of the froft
fuggefled ; particularly one relating to the evaporation-
of ice, which was tried in the following manner..
I took a fquare reflecting metal belonging to my own.
two foot telefcope, and expofed it on the baliuftrade.
of the obfervatory, till it had acquired the tempera-
tore of the place, which was then at o deg. after it?.
Yol. LXL, U u, wiifc

r 330 ■]

•was thus cooled, I breathed on it repeatedly, till its
polifhed furface was covered over with an inciudation
of ice or frozen vapour, of a very palpable thicknefs.
In this condition the fpeculum was replaced in its for-
mer fituation, having its incrufled furface expofed to
the ftill open air; when, in a little time, w'e found
the frozen pellicle begining to difappear at the outer
•edge, all around, leaving the metal quite clear.
Gradually more and more of the fpeculum was bared
in a regular progreflion, from the circumference to-
wards the centre; and at laff, in about 50 minutes,
the whole furface had parted with "its ice. This ex-
periment was repeated when the fpeculum was de-
fended from the open air, by a large thin box, with
a cloth over it. The event turned out the fame as
before, only it required longer time.

This progrefs of the evaporation from the outward
parts towards the centre of the fpeculum, was likely
owing to the original plate of ice being thickeft to-
wards the center, a ciixrumflance which might arife
from the manner of fixing it at firff breathing on it.
Or perhaps it may be imputed to fome more curious
caule, and may be lome effedt of the repullive force
belonging to the poliflied furface ; but, this point we
did not fufficiently examine into, by a due repetition
of experiments. I may juft mention, that, partly
with a view to this matter, we expofed as above, a
fet of bodies, having their furfaces of different de-
grees of polifli, and as equally covered with frozen
moifture as we could judge. The refult of which
experiments feemed to favour the idea of the ice
being lefs attached to the more polillied furface than
to the coarfer. This appeared particularly in the

[ 33* ]

cafe of a comparlfoii made betwixt the rpecurum-
above-mentioned, and the brafs end or cover of the
fame telefcope ; for the ice was found ftill to cleave
to its furface a good while after the fpeculum was
entirely cleared,. Thefe imperfeft experiments are-
only mentioned by the bye, and may perhaps ferve as.
hints toothers, who may be difpofed toprofecute this
part of natural phiiofophy.

Some particular reafons have occurred, which will
hinder me from tranfmitting to you the paper on the;
folar fpots, till fome time next winter, by which time
I fliall have finifhed every thing 1 have to fay on
that fubjedl., Widiing to hear from you at your
leifurCj. I ever am, with much refpedt.

Reverend Sir,,

Your moft obedient fervant,.

Alexander Wilfon^

Frofeffor of Agronomy at Glafgow:.

Fu. z

Receivedi

[ 332 ]

Kcccired November i^, 1770.

XXXIX. Some Expertme?ils on FiitrefaBion ;
by F. L. F. Crell, M, D. and Profejfor
of Chemifry at Brunl'wick.

Read TsV*. 7, Y I R HE celebrated lord Bacon [a] has,
i without doubt, tliewn a very great
fagacity, in pomtingout to poftcrity, putrefadion, as a
ubjed, worthy of making further inquiries into j and
Certainly, as there happen daily fo many changes,
" ot only in the inanimate, hut alfo in the animate
World, carried on by its means ; the know-
ledge of every thing relating to it muft clear up
•a great many points in natural philofophy, not tho-
roughly underliood before. But thefe inquiries ought
to be dill oF more confcquence to mankind, as
health depends greatly upon keeping in due bounds
putrelaclion, which the body naturally tends to. For
thefe rea'ons. Sir John Fringle deferves, befides his
other eminent merits, very gieat praifes, on his hav-
ing made many experiments on this fubjedt ; and
medicine is indebted to him for conliderable improve-
ments refulting Irom them. He has befides opened

the

[a] Nat. Hifl. .Cent, 1 V.

[ 333 ]

the way to many other gentlemen, among whom
excell Dr. Gaber, and Dr. M‘Bride, whole nume-
rous experiments lliew the ingenuity, and fagacity^
they are polTelTed of ; but the I'ubjedt is not yet ex-
haulled, nor will it be very ealily. I .have made
fome experiments relating to it ; and lliould be very
glad, if they threw a new light on fome points of
the greateft importance to medicine.

Dr. Gaber has proved, by his experiments, the pre-
fence of a volatile alcali produced by putrefadlion j but
as he did not difeover by the fame proceedings [<^] any
in its beginning or end, though there was a very
putrid fmell, he denies its exillence in thefe flates,
and concludes, that this volatile alcali is not a necef-
fary produdl of putrefadlion [c]. This doftrine
feemed to me not quite conformable to the phaeno-
mena : for, as all fmell, as much as we know at lealf
till now, depends on a faline matter, joined with a

Acla Taurinenf. Vol. I. p. 78. Cum attegcrint fummum
eft’ervefeentiae gradum, continuato ejufdem loci calore eflervef-
centiae vim amiferunt. P. 79. Citius pleruinque prodiit foetor,
quam alkali, idemque tardius defiit. P. 82. Mafl'am inde relinqui
foeteiuiffimam, led emiffo alkali ad eft’ervefccntiani ineptam.

Id. p. 83, 13. Q^ium foetcret graviffime refidtjum deftil-
lacionis, quamquain omni alkali orbatum, manifeftum videtur, ab
alkali foetorem exaitari quidern pofle, 6c magis penetrantem
cffici, non autem ab eodem proJuci, quandoquidem fupereft eo
fublalo — 16. Videtur is odor a volatilibus admodum paiticulis
proficifei, fed quae ab alkali diffimiles funt, plcrumque citius
gignantur, tardiuTque diflipentur — alcalefcemia adtife poteft
medico foetori conjundla — viciffirn maximus foetor abfque alcali—
Kx quibus. differentia inter foetidas alcalinafque partes confirmari
videtur. — P.84, 17. Videtur alcali non effe produelum neccllari-
iim putrefadlionis neque gradum alea'.efcentiae gradui putrefadii-
cnis refpondere,

I ' phlogiflon,

. [ 334 1

phloglfton, and thefaline matter producing the putrid
ftench, was not very likely an acid; I fuppofed it to
be a volatile alkali, which, involved in phlogidic
matter, might fly off, before the alkali was deve-
loped. I wanted to know by experiment, if I was
right; for this purpofe, I put, the 19th of June
(the thermometer being 58° of Fahrenheit, and con-
tinuing between 58° and 62° all the time I obferved),
in a pretty large receiver, fome beef cut in very fmall
pieces ; I covered the bottom with it thinly, and
poured upon it water, about two inches high. The
22d, the putrid fmell was very fenfible: but I let it
ifand till the 24th, when I poured off the fluid [^f],
adding again about the fame quantity of water to
the flelh. I filtrated then the fluid through a piece
of fine linen, and mixed with fome of it the fyrup
of violets, which it did not alter; neither did it effer-
vefe with the fpirit of vitriol, diluted to a fiiarpnefs
near that of the vegetable acid. I thought of keep-
ing it in digeflion for fome days ; but, for fear that
fome little folid particles might have paffed through:
the linen, and by that means, in growing putrid,
might give fome alcali, and render the trial in-
accurate, I diflilled the fluid by a heat of about 160°,.
after which, I repeated the trial with the fyrup of
violets and the fpirit of vitriol but it produced no^

[4] It requires fome attention to find out the proper
time when to pour off the liquor ; if it is done toofoon, it will
give too little volatile alcali to be much fenfible by experiments
for, though it fmells firongly,it is known how little matter is re-
quired to produce a. ftrong fmell. If it is delayed too long, it
fliews already figns of an alcali. For that rcafon, I made many,
experiments- in vaiw.

change.^

[ 335 ]

change. I then pnt it, the 25th, into a retort, fitted
to it a receiver, applied to the jointure a ringofpafte
made of flower and water, covered it with a piece
of wet bladder, and expofed it in a balneum aren/^e to
a heat of 108° to 116°, till the 29th of June, whe>!\
the whole fluid was diftilled over. I perceived dur-
ing this operation, that the liquor, from being quite
tranfparent, grew turbid ; the firfl diftilled tranf-
parent fluid grew alfo turbid in the receiver, and at
the bottom of the retort there was a fmall fettlement
of a whitifh earth. The liquor had a particular
fmell, but quite different from a putrid one, inclining
to the volatile alcali ; and flaewed a flight but Tenfible
degree of cffervefcence with the fpirit of vitriol ; and
the fyrup of violets was turned evidently green

bv it.

•/

In the mean time, the flefh with the water con-
tinued to emit a putrid flench 5 and the 28th of June
I found the fluid colouring the fyrup of violets greenifli,
and fliewing a kind of effervefcence with the acid.
Both thefe qualities were increafing every day, till the
8th of July, when, on account of a journey, I could
not obferve it any longer. I had left the mouth of
the receiver open j and on my return the ifl of Au-
gufl, I found an exceeding putrid fmell ; 1 covered
the veffel ; and the 2d, examined the fluid, but it
did not effervelce any more. I then filtrated the li-
quor; but the flefh was fo rotten, that a great many
particles paffed through the linen, and rendered it
turbid. 1 put it into a retort, adapted a receiver,
and luted it, as before-mentioned ; the heat was alfo
the fame, between 108° and 1 16°. In this warmth it
continued for about four days, when the fluid was

diflilled

[ 336 ]

difiilled over. On opening the veflels, the fmell was
again entirely changed, not near fo difagreable as be-
fore. In the receiver I obtained a fluid, which
turned the fyrup of violets green, effervefced very
finartly with the very fame fpirit of vitriol I had
ufed before j gave the fmell of a volatile alcali, on
adding to this the fixed alcali j praecipitated the calces
of metals diflblved in acids, and fhewed itfelf by
all proofs a true volatile alcali. In the retort re-
mained a yellowifh matter, almofl; without any fmell.
I put to it fome water ; and after 24 honrs, it gave
the herbaceous fmell, but fliewed no figns of any
alcali. I let it ffand four days longer; the her-
baceous fmell continued ; but there was no alcali to
be difeovered. 1 diftilled it with a gentle fire: but
neither then did there appear an alcali [^] ; and by
applying a flronger fire, I got nothing but a kind of
empyreumatic oil.

i had poured, the 3d of Augufi, fome frefla water on
the putrid matter; its putrid fmell continued; the
ytli 1 decanted the fluid, filtrated it, and made it
undergo the fame operation, with exadtly the fame
elte(fl as before ; which I did again the i ith, with
the very fame effedt. I did not repeat it oftener, as I
had oGcafion for this putrid fleflt to fome other pur-
pofe.

Thefe experiments fliew, I think, that the volatile-
alcali is prefent as long, at leafi, as the putrid fmell.

(’(.’] What this herbaceous fmell drcl depend on, I did not en-
quire any farther, as not relating to medicine,, fince a Jiving'
body never was found in fuch a ftate : but very likely it depends,
•n fome volatile alcali, which is perhaps in fo very final', a quan-
tity as not to be perceptible by experiments..

continues,,.

[ 337 ]

continues ; and that this volatile alcali Ts the bails of
it, becaufe, as this was diililled over, the reiiduum,
being ilill in intefline motion, got only the her-
baceous fmell. The reafon, why the volatile alcali
has been diilin(5lly obferved at a certain period of
putrefa<fl;ion, and not in the others, is, I believe, this ;
the volatile alcali has, it Teems, a tendency,
to difmtangle itielf, by inteftine motion, of all fiich
matter as it is involved with ; but if it is not combined
with fuch fixed matter as retains it till it has gone
through all its evolutions, it is, being itfelf volatile,
carried off by the ftill more volatile phlogiftic matter
with which it is commonly joined. For this reafon,
I fuppofe, the putrefying matter fiiews in its begin-
ning no fign of a volatile alcali ; becaufe its
fmell depends only on thofe particles, which have
been on the furface, without any ftrong cohe-
fion with the fubftance. In the farther progrefs of
putrefadlion,the matter involving the alcali, or form-
ing it, is intermixed, and in cohefion with the
folid particles of the fubffcance, and is by thefe
means retained till the alcali is come to its purer
flate. Towards the end of putrefatlion, the cohefion
of the particles being almoft entirely taken off, the
volatile alcali is carried off before it can go through
all its ffates.

If it is therefore true, that the volatile alcali is
effential to, or at Jeafi: always prefent in put re fad ion,
it feems to follow, that the alcalies never can be
ufed in living bodies, as antifeptics [y'j, for laying

[yj It is very difRcult, methinks, to account for the antifeptic
power of the volatile alcali, and other falts, on dead animal fuh-

VoL* LXI. X X alide

[ 338 ]

afide their ftimulating quality, which irmfl: prevent
their ufe in moft of the putrid difeafes, they would
increafe the morbific matter, by being intimately
mixed by circulation with phlogiftic matter, which
they find in abundance in fuch bodies. It has been
objefled to this, that the exhalation of ftale urine,
though fhewing a great quantity of volatile alcali, is
inoffenfive to health [^] ; and that fome perfons have
taken the volatile alcali in very great quantity, with-
out its bringing on a putrid difeafe [/j] : but there

ftances : I once thought, that as the ammoniac fait, nitre,
bring clown the thermometer feveral degrees, perhaps all thefe
falts a£ied by inftantly abforbing the heat producect by the
beginning inteftine motion ; and that, as a certain degree of
•warmth is necefl'ary to putrefadlion, in preventing this degree
from coming on, it might hinder the whole operation. To fee
by experiment how far this might be true, I put into phials a
certain quantity of water, with that proportionate quantity of
alcalies, fixed and volatile, fal ammoniac. See. which Sir John
Pringle had found (Append, p. xvi. xvii.) to be antifeptic ; and in
one as much pure water as * a ftandard. I flopped every
one of them with a cork., in which 1 had made a hole for a
thermometer of Fahrenheit. I expofed all thefe phials to the
fiime heat ; Sir John had ufed about 1 12"; but I found, that both
thofe with the falts and that without it marked the fame degree
of heat ; and that therefore the abforption of heat can by no
means be the reafon of the putrefarStion being flopped. May
this phtenomenon not depend upon the falts penetrating the
body, and giving to the particles more puu£Ja contadlus (accordir.g
to their greater or lefs affinity}? and may not thefe falts, in aug-
menting cohefion, hinder *the fluids from feparating themfelves
trom one another, and, in confequence, prevent intefline mo-
tion ? Is this not fomewhat confirmed by the adlion of ad-
llringents ? and by the niofl powerful aiSlions of metallic falts,
as being of the greatefl fpeciflc gravity?

[if] Sir J. Pringle, Append, p. vi.

[A] Id, ibid. p. xcii.

are

[ 339 ]

arc however fome examples [i], where It has been
hurtful. It is urged further, that a perfon, being
only for a fliort time expofed to really putrid exha-
lations, may be infedled with putrid difeafes ; and
therefore that this elFedlof putrid exhalations does not
depend on the volatile alcali, as it may be taken pure
in very large dofes, without producing fuch effeds. >
To this I reply, by an analogous inftance ; a fmali
quantity of ferment will bring on fermentation in a
large mafs of fermentable matter, and yet as much acid
as could be obtained from the ferment, far from
exciting an inteftine motion in the fermentable matter,
would rather check it; but can it, for all that, be
denied, that the involved acid in the ferment is the
chief caufe of fetting the whole mafs in fermentation?

In the fame way, the alcali combined with phlogiftic
matter may produce fuch inteftine motion as the
pure alcali cannot ; and very likely the firft would
not produce it, if the volatile alcali in it could be
changed.

To bring this about, the moft powerful means feem
to be the ufe of acids; and the moft celebrated
phyficians agree in the good elfedt they have
obferved from acids in putrid difeafes, and re-
commend them flrongly. Dr. M ‘Bride thinks o-
therwife, and his reafons are thefe : Ji7'Jl that

if the acids came unchanged to the abforbent
vefTels, they would not admit of them [k]-, Jeco?idl)\

[/j Huxham on the fore throat, p. 67, 68. Ejufci. ElTay on
feveis, p. 1 18, edit. 5.

[i] Experiment Eflays, edit. fee. p. 20. The avitlere acid
(generated in the firft pafiages of wealdy perfons) is cxacUy in
the fame ftate with a foreign acid, for the lactcals will adirfic
none of it.

X X 2

if

[ 340 ]

if they did, they would be dangerous [/] j and thirdly
that they are quite changed, before they leave
the primes wee [m]. As for the firji, I do not
know what reafons Dr. M‘Bride founds his afler-
tions upon, as acids never are given in fo concen-
trick a hate, as by their aftringency to make thefe
veflels fhut up their orifice j and as metallic falts
themfelves are abforbed in their very compound
hate (which (eems clear with regard to the corrolive
lublimate, and other fuch faline preparations), 1 do
not fee, why the fimple acids could not be abforbed.
The fecond reafon fee ms to be founded upon fome of
Dr. M‘Bride’s experiments (p. 132, 133), that
putrid flefh, fweetened by dillilled vinegar and fpirit of
vitriol, was firm ; but on being boiled went quite to
pieces, whereas that fweetened by volatile alcali did
not. But, I conceive, thefe experiments are not
applicable to a living body : for the acid being
there mixed with the fluids, cannot adt in this way
on the folids, till the fluids are (if I may ufe that

[/] Ibid. p. 134. the acids diffolve the elementary earth,
and thus deftroy the texture of that fubftance, whofe foundnefs
they are fuppofed to reftore. — P. 148. we are not to expedl, that
they are to pervade the minute branches of the vafcular fyftem j
when indeed it is evident, that they ought not to, be allowed to
pafs into the blood in their acid form ; fince it is plain, that,
from their diffolvent nature, the body mufl be deftroyed, and its
moft folid parts melted down to a jelly, if naked acids were to
be received into the general mafs of fluids.

[/«] Ibid. p. 148. acids are neutralized during the alimentary
fermentation; and therefore they cannot a£l as acids, by fatur-
ating any thing of the alcaline kind that they meet with in
their courfe of circulation.

expreflion)

[341 ]

cxprefilon) fupra-faturated with the acid [«], which
in putrid dileafes cannot be the cafe. And far-
ther, a heat of 212° of Fahrenheit never can in-
creafe the action of the acids in living bodies, as it
did in the experiments ; forj though Dr. M‘Bride
denies this confequence, and will prove the contrary,
as the flefli with the alcali did not diffolve j yet this
circumftance proves nothing more, than that the vo-
latile alcali has not fuch power of diiTolving the
gluten of animal fibres, as acids have; for, if the
cffedt depended only on the adtion of the acids by
themfelves, the fleOi would rather have been diffolved
when immerfed in them, than when boiled in
water. — The Dodor befides feems not quite confident
on this head ; for, p. 1 51, he fays, “ Adflringents can
only ‘‘ be of importance in thole cafes, where, from
“ extreme relaxation and refolution of the folids, the
“ diffolved fluids are fuffered to tranfude, and either
“ form fpots of different hues, or run off by adtual
“ haemorrhage ; here, indeed, the acid of vitriol, as

an aflringent, not as an acid, is found of great ufe
“ in gaining time.” As the acid could not exert its
aflringent power on the veflels, without coming to the
fecund^ vice (p. 153.) he feems not afraid, in this
cafe, of its melting down the mod folid parts to a
jelly.

In proof of his third reaforiy he alledges fome
experiments ; viz< the third, p. 40, where a mixture ot
Jiejh, bread, lemon juice, and faliva, did not effer-
vefce, after fermentation with an alcali ; and the 5th,

[«] This has, it feems, happened in fom$ rare cafes quoted by
Dr. M‘Bride, and Dr. Haller, p. 148.

p. 42,

[ 342 ]

p. 42, where a mixture of bread, water, faliva, and
Ipirit of vitriol effervefced fmartly, before the in-
tefbne motion j but not at all after it. I could
obiedt againft thefe experiments, and efpecially the
5th, that perhaps the proportion of the faliva to the
acid was too great, and that a perfon in a putrid
difeafc ought to take more .acids than could be neu-
tralized by the inquiline liquors. However, I will
not infift on this ; and fuppofe thefe experiments to
be quite applicable to the cafe : but if thefe mixtures
do not effervefee any more, does it follow, '' that
“ they are neutralized, and therefore adt as acids, by

faturating any thing of the alcalinous kind, that
“ they meet with, in their courfe of circulation r”
There are fome faline bodies, which do not effer-
vefee when mixed together } which will, however,
change one another’s nature. Thus J'. e. brimftone,
mixed with a flrong fixed alcali, does not effer-
vefee [(?], but changes, on being diffolved, the nature
of the alcali. A folution of foap does not effervefe
on the addition of an acid, but joins with the acid,
and neutralizes it. Thefe inffances made me fuf-
pedt the conclufion drawn by Dr. M‘Bride from his
experiments; and to clear up thefe doubts, in this par-
ticular cafe, I referred to experiments. For this purpofe,
I mixed, the 4th of Augufl, the thermometer being at
64®, three ounces of faliva, a dram of the liquor of

f i] This applies alfo to the folution of brimftone In limewater,
(HU of which the lime particles have been precipitated, by the
intodudtion of fixed air.

putrid

C'3'4'3'f]

putrid flefli, and a very fmall quanj:[ty of bread : and
added as much of the diluted fpirit of yitriol, as to
make dt four, and effervefce definitely with the
alcali. There was not any fign of inteftine motion
till the 7th of Auguft, w'hen from time to time
fome air bubbles, and alfo fome folid particles, rofe to
the top ; and this continued till the 8th. Not per-
ceiving any farther motion, I poured off' the clear
liquor, which did not effervefce any more with the
alcali. I mixed, the 9th, fix drams of the putrid
liquamen, with about the double of this liquor,
and put in befides four folid pieces of flefii,
which had lain three days in the liquamen ; thele-
pieces were of a prodigious flench, and fo rotten,
that with the lead force they were torn to pieces..
There appeared no figns of intefiine motion : the-
loth, the putrid fmell was very much abated: the
iith, it was changed, and there remained only a
fmell much like that of found flefii : the pieces were-
without any fmell,. and had acquired again fome
degree of firmnefs. In this condition they re-
mained for a week, and I did not obferve them,
any longer.

I'his experiment proves, I believe, v that acids,,
though changed in the alimentary canal fo far,,, as
not to effervefce with alcalies, may notwithftanding,
check putrefa^ffion ; and that, therefore, their ufe ia-
of great confequence, and ought not to be omitted
jn putrid difeafes. Though Dr, 'M'Bride believes
that thcfc difeafes may be cured with fermentable
lubflances only ; I muff own that Ido nc-t agree
with him, and ana not quite convinced of his opi-

VoL. LXL. X X 4, mon„

[ 34+ ]

nion, that putrefadion depends only on the lofs of
fixed air. 1 rather believe this an efiedt than the
caufe of putrefadlion j but I lhall refer this lubjedt
to another occafion.

END OF PART I.

PHILOSOPHICAL

TRANSACTIOxNP

V^)LUME LXL PART 11.

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I

PHILOSOPHICAL

TRANSACTIONS.

Part II. '

XL. Ohfey'vations upon Five antient Perfian Coins,
ftruck in Paleftine, or Phoenicia, before the T)iffolutio7i
of tht Perfian Empire. In a Letter to Mathew Maty,
M. D. Sec. R. S. fro7?i the Rev. John Swinton,
B. D. F. R. S. Cufos Archivorum of the dniverfity
of Oxford, Member of the Acade?ny degli Apatifti
at Florence, and of the Etrufcan Academy of Cor-
tona in Tufcany.

SIR,

Read June 20, ^ | H E coins before me, as well as fe-
1771* Jl^ veral others limilar to them, were'
undoubtedly llruck, in fome of the cities of Syria,
Paleftine, or Phoenicia, before the reduction of thofe
provinces, and the conqueft of the Perftan empire,
by Alexander the Great. This, if I am not mif-
taken, was flrft remarked by ( i) M. Baudelot j who
has been lately followed herein by (2) M. I’Abbe
Barthelemy, and (3) M. Pellerin. I intirely agree
whith all thofe learned men in what they have ad-
vanced relative to thofe coins, and fhall now beg
leave to fubmit a few curfory obfervations upon five of
them (as the fubjedl is extremely curious) to the con-
deration of the Royal Society j which may poflibly

(1) Baudel. VUtillt. des voyag. See. p. 638. A Paris, 1693.

(2) 'Journ. des Sfav. See. X. LIII, Aout, 1760. p. 279, 280.

(3) eWer. Recueit de Medail. de Rois, Sec, Explicat. de la
Vignette, p. iil. iv. A Paris, 1762.

VoL. LXI. Y y

ferve

ferve to evince the truth of what has been offered by
thofe celebrated antiquaries, on this head, and fet
this matter in the clearefl light. •

I.

The firft of the medals to be confidered here (fee
Tab.’XIII. n. I.) was given me fome years fince, by
my worthy friend, the Reverend and learned Mr..
Thomas Crofts, late chaplain to the Britifli factory at
Aleppo, and formerly of Wadham College, Oxford j
who brought it with him to England, out of the EafI:..
On one fide we difcover Atergatis, Adergatis, or Der-
ceto, taken by feveral learned (4) men, for the Dagon-
of Scripture, nearly as we find that pagan divinity
defcribed (5) by Diodorus Siculus, and Lucian, with a
pigeon before her, and a fifh in her right hand. On
the other, we perceive a galley, or fmall veflel, on the
fea, with rowers in it ; under which there appears a
fea-horfe, or rather a fea-monfter, of a very parti-
cular form. Near the face of Adergatis, the two
Phoenician letters 'p MA, prefent themfelves
to our view. The piece is in good confervation,
having fuffered very little from the injuries of time.

That this filver medal muft have been anterior to
the diffolution of the Perfian empire, we may fairly
coiled from the reverfe j which agrees in_ every par-
• ticular, but the fea-horfe, with the reverfe of a Daric,
that undoubtedly preceded the abovementioned event,
and exhibits the very fame Phoenician letters, with
which it is adorned. But this will be rendered in-
conteftabie by a bare inTpedtion of the draught of that

(4) Seld. di Dils Syris., Syntagm. II, cap.- iii. Anclr. Beyer,
ad Joli. Seld. ubi fup. p. 300.

(5) Diod. Sic. Bihl. Hiji. \\h. II. T.ncian dj Dca Syr. apud
Johan. Sdden. ubi I’up. Vid. Athcn. Dd^nofopk, Ub. V'lll.

Daric,,

[ 3+7 ]

Daric, and others of fimilar coins, in the (6) plate
referred to here.

That this piece was ftruck at Afcalon, a very an-
tient and celebrated city of Paleftine, there is, I
think, little reafon to doubt. Dagon, or Atergatis,
was a deity of the Philiftines, to whom Afcalon ap-
pertained, as we learn from (7) Scripture; and there-
fore may very naturally be fuppofed to have been
worlhiped there, as well as in the other principal
cities belonging to that people. We are alTured by
(8) Diodorus Siculus, and Lucian, that Afcalon was
famous for the worfhip of Atergatis, or Derceto;
and the fuperb temple of that deity there. The
coins of Afcalon (9) not infrequently exhibit Ater-
gatis, with a pigeon, as here; pigeons (10), as well
as filhes, having been conlidered as facred animals,
bearing a near relation to Atergatis, if not as objedts
of religious worlhip, in that city. The reafon of
this is given us in few words, by a (i i) very learned
author, who fets the point here infilled on beyond
difpute. I own, indeed, the divinity in quellion is
faid to have had a temple at Hierapolis, and to have
been worlhiped there; but this, according to the
great (12) Mr. Selden, feems to be a millake. Be-
lides, the goddefs of Hierapolis was worlhiped un-
der (13) a human form, and not with the tail of a

(6) Numifm, Antiqu. &c. a Thom. Pemb. et Mont. Gom.
Com. collect, p. 2. T. 75.

(7) I Sam. y. 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.

(8) Diod. Sic. & Lucian, ubi fup.

(9) Joan. Vaill. Nnmifm. Imperator, &c. a Pop, Rom. Dit,

Grace loquent. l^c, p. 8i. Henr. Noris, An. et Epoch, Syra~ Maced.
p. 510. Lipfiae, 1696. (10) Joh. Selden. ubi fup. p. 192

— 202. Amftelodami, 1680. (n) Id. ibid. (12) Seld. ubi

fup. p, 192. (13) Id. ibid.

[ 348 ]

lifli, as Derceto is reprefented on the medal I am
confidering. Nor do 1 remember ever to have feen
Atergatis, or Derceto, in that form, or attended by a
fidi and a pigeon, as on my medal, on any of the
Hierapolitan coins. Laftly, I have a brafs medal of
Afcalon (fee Tab. XIII. n.2.), in my fmall colledlion,..
with a galley, or little velTel, on the water, and rowers
in it, as we find exhibited by the piece before me, over
which the two Greek letters A'^ plainly appear ; which
feems moft clearly to evince, at leaft the high proba-
bility of, the point in view. It mufi: therefore be
allowed extremely probable, if not abfolutely certain,,
that the coin confidered here was ftruck at Afcalon,
though current throughout Syria, Paleftine, and
Phoenicia, before the redndtion* of thofe provinces by
the arms of Alexander the Great.

As no chronological charadters on the piece in
queftion prefent themfelves to our view, it will be
extremely difficult, if not impradficable, to afeertain,
with any precifion, the time when it firfi: appeared.
However, I cannot help thinking it probable, that
the coin was firuck about 351 years before the birth
of Christ, when the (14) provinces of Palefiine
and Phoenicia were fubdued by Artaxerxes Ochus,.
foon after they had revolted from him. The people
of thofe provinces might then have ufed money
fimilar, at lead in fome refpedfs, to that which was
current in Perfia, either out of compliment to, or by
the pofitive order of, that prince. This, 1 fay,
might not improbably have been the cafe ; but that
it really was fo, I muff not prefume abfolutely to
affirm. Be this, however, as it will, a circuinflance

(14) Diod. Sk.BibL Hif, Lib. XVI.

3

will

[ 349 ]

will occur, In the explication of the fourth medal to
be confidered here,, that will bring no fmall acceffion
of hrength to the notion I would now recommend
to the attention of the learned world.

With regard to the two Phoenician letters exhi-
bited by this coin, they feem either to form the
word N'D, MA, which in Phoenician not improbably
denoted WATER, or the SEA, (15) as in Arabic,
or to be the two firft elements of the word MAIVMA,
in Syriac (16) fignifying likewife WATER, the
name of the port and place of the magazine of naval
ffores, fuch a port and place having formerly apper-
tained both to Afcalon(i7) and Gaza. For thofe
two Phoenician letters, preferved on many medals,
(18) can fcarce always be looked upon either as the
whole or part of the proper name of the place where
the coins were Ifruck, as they feem firfl to have ap-
' peared in different towns j though it muft be owned,,
that MAIVMA, as applied to the ports of Afcalon
and Gaza, was (19) confidered as the proper name
of a town, erefted at a fmall diftance from each of
thofe two cities. However, I fhould rather take the
word MA to have denoted WATER, or THE SEA,
as a fmall veffel on the fea is vifible on thefe coins,
and the word MAIVMA, as applicable to the ports
of Afcalon and Gaza, feems not to have (20) been
ufed long before the time of Conftantine the Great:

(15) Go!. Lex. Arab. p. 210. Val. Schind. Lex. Pent, p.994..
Hanoviae, 16 1 2.

(16) Gothofred. apud Henric. Noris, ubi fup. p, 511.

( 17) Sozom. Lib. ii. c. Henr. Noris, ubi fup. p- 5 1 1, 512.

(18) Numiftn. Jntiqu. See. « Thom. Pemb. Mont. Goin.
Com. colleif. p. 2. T. 75. n. 7, 8.

(19) Henr. Noris,. ubi fup. p. 511. (20) Id, ibid.

unleik

[ 35° ]

unlefs we would luppofe it to denote AN HVN-
DRED, and to refer to fome remarkable occurrence,
from whence the Perfians dated their computation of
time, in the days of Ochus, to us at prefent utterly
unknown.

n.

The fecond medal (fee Tab. XIII. n, 3.) I receiv-
ed, as a prefent, from the Reverend and learned Mr.
Crofts, who brought it with him from Syria, at the
lame time that he gave me the firft. Atergatis, or Der-
ceto, on this filver piece, holds a concha -marina^ or fea-
Ihell, in her left hand ; but, in all other refpeds, it is fo
limilar to the former as fufficiently appears from the
draughts of them both, that it may almoft, if not abib-
lutely, pafs for a duplicate of the fame coin. The piece,
how’ever, has been but indifferently preferved ; fo that
without the affiflance of the medal already defcribed,
it would have been of no great fervice to the learned
world.

As the two Phoenician charadlers, that occur on
the firft medal, have been intirely defaced on this, by
the injuries of time, I can offer nothing relative to
them here. It may not, however, be improper to
obferve, that neither this nor the former medal has
yet, as far as I can find, been ever communicated
to the learned world.

III.

The third medal (fee Tab. XIII. n. 4.) is a very
fmall filver piece, and was prefented to me by my
worthy and learned friend, the Reverend Mr. Thomas
Crofts, who brought it with the other two, above de-
fcribed, out of the Eaft. The reverfe, which exhibits
the two Phoenician elements MA, and a galley,

2 or

C 35« ]

or fmall veflel, full of rowers, on the water, almoftin-
tirely agrees with that of two Perfian Darics (21),
as will appear from an infpedion of the draughts ot
them, in the plate here referred to. This indicates
the piece to have been flruck in Paleftine, or Phoe-
nicia, before the didblution of the Perfian empire,
probably at the fame time that the two former firft
appeared. On the other fide we obfervea laureated
antient head, which I take to reprefent Jupiter
Mamas, a deity worfhiped (22) at Gaza, a celebrated
antient city, at no great didance, 3 parafangs only,
from Afcalon ; who might therefore probably have
had divine honours paid him there, as well as at
Gaza j and confequently we may attribute the coin to
either of thofe cities, though, on account of the head
of Jupiter Mamas, I ihould rather prefer Gaza. This,
I fay, appears to me extremely probable ; but that
either the laureated head really reprefents Jupiter
Mamas, or the piece was certainly druck at Gaza, I
mud by no means take upon me abfolutely to decide.

If the head on this medal diould not be imagined
to point out Jupiter Mamas,, the Local deity wor-
diiped at Gaza, it may perhaps be fuppofed to re-
prefent fome hero, or the founder of Afcalon, or
Gaza. Be that, however, as it will, as either this
very coin, or one exceedingly dmilar to it, has a place
alUgned it in (23) Lord Pembroke’s noble colledion,
it can fcarce be allowed to pafs for an inedlted coin.

(21) Numlf/n, Antiqu. Uc. a Tho. Pemb. lA Mont. Gom.
Com. colleii. p. 2. T. 75. n. 7, 8.

(22) Hear. Nor. ubi fup. p. 454. Golii not. ad Alfragan.

p. 142.

(23) Numifnu Antiqu, 5cc. ubi fup. p. 2. T. 75. n. 8.

IV.

C 352 3

IV.

The fourth (fee Tab. XIII. n, 5.) is a fmall brafs
medal, that may pafs for an inedited coin, though one
not unlike it has been publill'ied by M. Baudelot.
On one fide a human figure, that probably repre-
fents a king of Perfia, with a Perfian tiara on its head,
in a triumphal car, drawn by two horfes, and driven
by a fimilar figure, with a Perfian tiara likewife on
its head, prefects itfelf to our view. On the other, a
velTel navigated by rowers, refembling that exhibited
by the three foregoing coins, may be clearly difcern-
ed. The piece has been well preferved, and w’as
undoubtedly anterior to the redudion of Syria and
Phoenicia by Alexander the Great. For that the
perfon in the car is a Perfian, we may infer from the
tiara on his head, which occurs on the heads of feve-
ral Perfian figures (24) in the ruins of Perfepolis ;
and that he was a royal perfonage, appears from
hence, that the kings of Perfia only had their effigies
imprefl: on the Perfian coins. It is true, fbme of the
figures in the ruins of Perfepolis are the produce of
the Parthian times, and feveral of them even coeval
with fome of the princes of the houfe of Saifan,
and confequently of flill a later date. But, notwith-
flanding this, the figures now in view were un-
doubtedly Perfian, and fully evince the point they
are brought to prove ; but had they been Parthian,
that would have made no alteration in the prefent
cafe, as the Perfians and the Parthians ought to be
confidered as one and the fame nation, and their
attire as one and the fame.

(24) Engelbert. Kasmpfer. AmcenUat, ExotUar, Fafcic. p. 345,
312, 340, &c. Lemgovise, 1712.

That

C 3 53 ]

That the piece theji was ftruck in Paleftine, or
Phoenicia, vvhilih under the domination of the
Perfians, there is, I think, little reafon to doubt j
though it may, perhaps, be not altogether fo eafy
to afeertain, with any precifion, the time when it
firfl: appeared. There is, however, one period, and
one only, as I apprehend, in the Perhan hiftory, to
which this may, with the dridieft propriety, be re-
terred ; and that is, immediately after the reduftion
of Sidon, by Artaxerxes Och.us, when the Phoeni-
cians, who had before entered into an alliance
with Nedanebus, king of Egypt, and afferted their
independency, made their (25) fubmidion to him.
This happened in the year of the Julian period
4363, about 351 years before the (26) birth of
Chrifl. That prince having then intirely fub-
dued the Phoenicians, v.?ho had revolted from him,
and reinforced his army with a body of looco
Greeks, refumed his defign of invading Egypt;
and, (27) after the furrender of Jericho, probably
advanced at the head of his forces to Afcalon and
Gaza, through which he might have paffed, on his
route to that country, though he feems to have un-
dertaken the Egyptian expedition, or rather to have
entered Egypt, the following year. Upon his arri-
val at Afcalon, he may naturally be fuppofed to have-
llmck fome of the pieces, at lead, conhdered here; and
particularly that which is the prefent objeft of my at-
tention, with the reprefentatioa of a Perfian king, in a
triumphal car, upon it. For this mud: feem naturally to
liavc announced the intire redodion of Syria and,
Phoenicia, that had juft before fubmitted to him..

(25) Diod. Sir. ubi fup.

(26) Jac. Ufler. Anml. ad An. Jul. Period. 4363. p. 146,

t47. Geneva', 1722. (27) Sniin. cap. 33.

VTl. LXL Z z

[ 35+ ]

As therefore the coins in queftion are found In (28),
and come from, thofe parts of the Eaft ; I would
willingly flatter myfelf, that what is here advanced
will meet with the approbation of the learned.

There is one farther circumftance relative to this
coin, which mufl: not be omitted here. Over the
Perfian monarch’s head, at a fmall diftance from it,
we may eafily difcover a kind of letter (29), not apper-
taining, as it fhould feem, to the Phoenician alphabet ;
which, as I apprehend, may be taken for an antient
Perflc character. It not a little refembles that en-
dued with the power of the fhort A, deduced from
the Zend and Pazend, by (30) Dr. Hyde; as alfo

(28) Peller. ubi fup.

(29) This coin feems to have been ftruck either at Afcalon,

Gaza,orAcco; as moft of the fimilar coins hitherto publifhed
probably firft appeared in one of thofe cities. But the names
of all thofe places begin with an not an Aleph^ and

therefore the charadler in quell ion cannot be fuppofed to have
appertained to any of thofe names. Whereas Ardfhir, Ardfchir,
or Artaxerxes, the name of the king, in whofe reign the coin
feems to have been ftruck, has for its firft letter, an Aleph^ not
an Am ; and therefore the character on this piece may be pre-
fumed, after what has been faid, to point at that name. And
this will be rendered ftill more probable by the pofition of the
Perlian charadter I am here confidering. It is placed over the
head of the great perfonage in the triumphal car, or rather almoft:
contiguous to the tiara with which it is covered. This appears
to me almoft decifive in favour of what is here advanced. If
any learned man, however, fhould diftent from me in this par-
ticular, I ftiall not quarrel with him for adhering to his own
opinion. Baudel. Peller. pafT. Barthel. Schikard. Profap. Perf.
Proem, et alib, Tubingte, 1628.

(30) Vid. Lit. in Libr. Zend & Pazend, juxta apographum
D, Hyde, ufttat. &c. apud D. Hyd. in Hijf. RcUg. Vet. Perf.
Ed. Oxon. 1760. Memoir de Litterat. Tom. XXXI. p. 358.
A Paris, 1768. That the Perftans ufed the Aftyrian letters in
the days of Herodotus, we learn from that celebrated hiftorian.
But, notwithftanding this, they might likewife have ufed other
antient alphabetic charadlers, at leaft in feme part of the inter-

twe

[ 355 ]

two Others belonging to two of the antient Perllan al<r
phabets publifhed by M. Anquetil du (31 ) Perron, to
which he affigns the power of A. All which if
we admit, it may probably be confidered as the

val between the commencement and the diflblution of the
Perfian empire, if not throughout that interval. And that
they had aftually then fuch chara£lers, the coin under confider-
ation here gives us good reafon to believe. But w'e mull not
pofitively aflTert this, fince nothing certain or decifive, without the
farther alEftance of antient coins, or other genuine monuments
of antiquity, can be offered in fupport of fuch an opinion.

The very learned M. la Croze, takes the antient letters of'
the Perftans, fo many fpecimens of which have been given us by
Dr. Hyde, to have been originally deduced from the Syriac al-
phabet. But this is by no means certain. That they are,,
however, more antient than has been hitherto generally imagined,
will be readily acknowledged, by all who admit the charafter in
queftion to be one of the letters of the antient Perfic alphabet,,
as I am inclined to believe it is. But neither muft this be laid
down as a fa£t, till it is confirmed by other antient coins, or by
other authentic monuments of antiquity, that may be intirely
depended upon. Herodot. lib. IV. c. 87. Matur. Veys. la
Croze, apud Joan. Chamberlayn. Dijjeriat. Sic. p. 129, 130^
Amftelaedami, 1715.

(31) M. Anquetil du Perron has lately publifhed, at Paris, his
tranflation of the Zend-Avefta of Zeratufht. In the preliminary
difeourfe, or introdudlion to which, he has been pleafed to abufe
and ridicule two of the moft refpe£l:able members of our Univer-
fity, as well as me. This condudl is the more extraordinary,
as, by his own account, the polite and friendly reception he met
with from us, during the two days he refided in Oxford, towards
the clofe of January, 1762, ought to have infpired him with fer:-
fiments very different from thofe of hatred and averfion to the
whole Englifh nation ; which he, though greatly obliged to them
both in the £aft Indies and In England, difeovers in many parts
of his firft volume. But I mean not at this time to recriminate.
Nor indeed is there any need of a recrimination. His own ac-
count of the treatment he met with at Oxford, from the gentle-
men he has fo grofsiy abufed, is a much feverer refle£tion upon
him than any thing I have faid, or could have faid, of him, here.

In my prefent circumftances it would be improper for me to
characlerize his tranflation of the Zend-Avefla, as I might feern
to be.a<ffed by too vindi61:ive a fpirit, if I delivered here my true
femimems of it. But I would beg leave to recommend to the

Z z 2 initial

[ 356 ]

initial letter of Ardlhir, Ardfchir, or Artaxerxes, the
name of the prince in whofe reign, and by whole
command, the piece was ftruck. This, if allowed,
will be an additional proof of the truth of what has
been here advanced, relative to the time in which
the medal firft appeared, as well as to the occafion
of that appearance, hinted at above. It is certain,
fuch initial letters fometiines reprefcnted the names of
kings and great men amongfl; (32) the Greeks, who
were neighbours to the Perlians, and were imitated
by them in lev^eral particulars, even as early as the
year wherein I believe this coin to have been ftruck.
This obfervation will throw no inconhderable light
Hpon what I would now propofe to the confideration
of thofe that are the beft verfcd in this branch of
literature, and render my elucidation of the medal
before me, as well as of the others confidered here,
not altogether unworthy the attention of the learned.

V.

The liftli medal (fee T ab. XIII. n. 6.) is extremely
limilarto the fourth, but very ill preferved (33). The

learned world the perufal of a little piece lately publiflied highly
meriting their attention; the ingenious author of which, a moft
valuable member of our UniverTity, though a very young man,
is at leaft a match for M. Anquetil, in the knowledge of the
Arabic, Perfic, Turkifli, &c. languages, as well as other branches
of oriental literature, and feems to have done him tolerable
juftice, by giving us a clear and adequate idea of this performance.
However, 1 may poflibly hold him up to the public, in his proper
colours, on fome future occafion.

(32) Erafm. Frcel. Element. Numijtn. Ant. p. 138, 142.
Viennae, Pragae, et Tergefti, 1758.

(33) I lhall beg leave in litis place to remark, that we find a
noble Perfian filver medallion (fee Tab. Xlll. n. 7.), publiflied
by M, Pellerin, with a Perfian monarch, in a triumphal car, drawn

* Ltitrt m AUrifimr du P — — , I.ondret, J77*-

former.

. r 357 ]

former, however, differs from the latter in this, that it
exhibits a lacquey, or Have, as it fhould feem, following
the triumphal car. This renders itftill more probable,
that the figure in that car was intended to reprefent a
perfon of the firfl diftindfion, or rather a Perfian
monarch. Both of thefe coins have been hitherto
unpubliflied (34), though of medals fimilar to them,
in conjundlion with feveral others of the fame kind,
one (35) of the moft valuable parts of Lord Pem-
broke’s ineftimable collection has been formed.

If there were originally any characters on the piece
laft deferibed, they have all been effaced by the in-
juries of time. From the fourth medal I have at-
tempted to elucidate in this paper, it feems to appear,
that certain antient Perfian letters, as well as Phoe-
nician, are fometimes handed down to us, by this
fpecies of coins. A draught of one of them, in
the (36) plate here referred to, may poffibly be
thought, by fome, to bring a frefh acceffion of ftrength
to fuch an opinion.

Thus have I endeavoured to illuftrate five very
valuable antient coins, ftruck in Palefline, or Phoe-

by two horfes, and followed by a lacquey, or flave, on one fide,
as here, attended by the Phoenician legend 30 j which is mani-

feftly equivalent to the three letters ARC, the fecond charac-
ter being a Phoenician monogram, formed of Refch and Caph. On
the other fide, we difeover a galley, navigated by rowers, and
adorned with one of the Dii Pataci, at theftern. Over the galley,
there appears a date; which may, perhaps, denote 203, or 213,
if we fuppofe the charadler reprefenting now defaced, to have
originally occupied the chafm in the middle of the numerical
charatfers, though the aera to which this refers I cannot take upon
me to afeertain. The letters D"l5?j ARC, evince the piece to have
been ftruck at ARCA, or ARCE, a city of Phoenicia, between
Byblus and Heliopolis, called by the Greeks ’'Apan, or ’'A^koh, as
we learn from Stephanus Byzantinus. Sieph. Byzant. in voc,
''Apyiri. Vid. etiam Luca Holjienii not. in lac.

(34) Numifm. Antiqu. &c. p. 2. T. 75,

(35} Kumifnt, Antiqu, &c. p, 2i T. 75, & 87. n. 2.

mcia,

[ 3S8 ]

nicia, before the time of Alexander the Great, al-
moft intirely unnoticed by any other writer; and
this purely in order to excite others of more learn-
ing, greater abilities, and better verfed in thefe mat-
ters, to confider with proper attention, and treat more
copioufly, a very curious fubje(5l, hitherto but barely
touched upon by the learned. And as the paper
now fent you may not improbably produce fuch an
effedt, it may poflibly contribute to the farther ex-
tenfion of the knowledge of antient medals, at lead:
by introducing to future difcuffion fcveral important
points, relative to that fpecies of literature, at prefent
utterly unknown. You will therefore excufe the
trouble given on this occahon, by,

SIR,

Your much obliged,

and mod obedient, humble fervant.

Cbrift-Church, Oxon,
March x6, 1771.

John S win ton.

, ’ (3^) ^umifm, Antlqu. &c. ubi fup. p. 2. T.S7. n. 2.

*

Received

[ 359 ]

Received January 4, 1771.

XLL A Letter from Richard Waring, Efq\

F. R. S, to the Hon. Daines Barrington ;
on fome Plants found in fever al Farts of
England.

4

S I R,

Read Nov. i4,TT WOULD fooner have acknowledged
X. honour of your very obliging an-
fwer to the letter, I took the liberty of writing to
you, if I had not waited a while, in hopes of hav-
ing fomething to communicate, that might, in fome
degree, merit your acceptance. Nothing better, than
the following, having yet fallen in my way, I pre-
fent you with

A catalogue of fome indigenous plants, in places
not heretofore mentioned, in the counties of Salop, .
Stafford, Chefter, Flint, Denbigh, Carnarvon, and
Merioneth, that are fcarce in this ifland, or have been
generally fuppofed to be fo, or not indigenous ; and
occafionally of fuch in other counties ; and fome,
that, though common in fome other counties, are
fcarcely, or not at all to be found in thefe j and alfo
of fuch as may be doubtful, perhaps originally foreign,
though generally fuppofed to be natives of Britain.

7 Acer

, t 3^0 ] ■

Acer majus Ger. Nullibiquod fciam in Anglia fponte
oritur. Raii Syn. A ftranger in England, only
where planted, Gerard, Perhaps we have not
any tree more hardy, or more apt to be propagated-
from the feeds ; fince thofe of this tree do not
often fail of taking root, upon whatever foil they
fall, and if they were not heavier than feme other
winged feeds, or lefs coveted by birds than fome
• of the more folid or pulp)r kinds, there would
perhaps be no reafon, why this tree flaould not be
as much dilperfed throughout the country as the.
mod; common tree we have j except that it may
have been more lately introduced among us.

Agaricus parvus lamellatus, pedfunculi forma, ele-
gans. Dill. Cat. GilT. Here in November,, on
flicks rotted on the ground.

Agaricus trilobatus, fuperne albus, laevis, inferne fer-
rugineus, foraminibus oblongis- et rotundis eie-
ganter pundlatus. An Fungus arboreus lobis
rubellis, diverlimode hguratis ct pun6latis. R. Syn.
On a ha:i^l tree near Congleton, ’Chediire, in
October.

Angelica fativa C B. Ray in Cat. Angl. tit, Ilyppor
felinum, fays, “ By this, when young, I fuppofe
they were deceived who gave information to the
“ compilers of PhyL' Brit, that Angelica fativa
« grew on the rocks near Berwick.” They might
have taken it from Dr. Johnfon’s Merc. Botan.
However it is wild in many places by the Thames-
lidc, particularly at Stangate, Lambeth; and I hav^e
found it far from any water, in a gravel-pit ne.ar
the end of St. Edmund’s-bury, toward Sudbury.

2 '

Apium

C 361 J

Apium petraeum, five montanum album J. B. On
Halton-caflle, and on a wall at the chamber of the
foreft De-la-mer, Chefhire, and on the garden -wall
• of the Abbey of PerfhorCj Worcefterfhire.

Aquilegia flore caeruleo Ger. In fylvis et dumetis.
R. Syn. 1 have not feen it wild. .

Aquilegia fl. purpureo. Some years ago I found one
only in a wood here, where none has fince
appeared.

Aquilegia fl. atro rubido. Four of this kind on a
fmall bank by the high-way about half a mile
from Wore, Salop (towards Namptwich).

Berberis dumetorum. C B. In the hedges on each
flde of the road from Ludlow, oppoflte to Haw-
ford-chapel, and thence to a brook about a mile
off, plentifully, and lefs fo about half a mile fur-
ther, toward Stretton, Salop j alfo in fome places
between Shrawarden and Nefs-cliff, and between
Blacker ’s-ford and Frees in that county .: but whe-
ther elfewhere than in hedges, or there fponta-
neous, or Ibwn, or planted, I do not know.

Betulus flve Carpinus Ger. In fylvis et fepibus.
R. Syn. I have not obferved it more northward
than Bedfordfliire, though Gerard fays, “ plenti-
“ fully in Northamptonfhire.”

Biftorta major Ger. In pratis humidis et umbrofis,
Ph. Brit. In a trench without the Weftern wall
of the caftle of Ruthin, Denbighihire.

Blattaria lutea J.B. By the road flde a little fliort of
a place called the Marfli between Ludlow and
Stretton, Salop, I once obferved a Angle plant ;
and this year in a wild and long neglefled part,
perhaps three perches, of a gentleman s garden,
VoL. LXI. A a a near

[ 362 ]

near Ofweftry in that county, I faw, I believe,
above a hundred. Neither the gentleman, nor his
gardener, could account for the produftion of
them ; or had ever obferved them before that
inftant.

Cardamine tripla, fc. ad gradum quartum, prolifera,
floribus plenis. I have often found it fo here-
about, and near Ofweftry, and fufped it may not
be uncommon, though unobferved elfewhere.

Cardamine flore majore elatior Tourn. Inft. Naftur-
tium aquaticum, amarum. Park. In the bog near
the bath at Willowbridge, StafFordfhire.

Carduus Marias Ger. Ad agrorum margines et in
aggeribus foifarum non rarb occurrit. Ray Hift.
Though frequent about London, it is fo rare in
thefe counties, that I have feen of it only in the
church-yard at Ince in Chefhire, and about the
caftle at Caergwrle, and in two other places, in
this county of Flint. I have not feen one good
figure of this elegant plant.

Carduus Mariae non maculatus R. Hift. hirfutus non
maculatus Ph. Brit. The word hhfufus feems to
have been improperly added, for Ray in Hift. fays,
non alia in re a vulgar! Carduo Marias differt
“ quam quod folia edat maculis deftituta and I
have feen it about Kennington-common, Surry, as
fmooth as the former fpecies, which is rather
veined than fpotted*.

Carduus tomentofus, Acanthium didus, vulgaris R.
Syn. Spina alba fylveftris Fuchfio J. B. “ In
aggeribus foftarum, ad fepes et in incultis non
“ rarb occurrit,” R. Hift. I have feen it only in.
the neighbourhood of London,

4

Carduus

t 363 1

Carduus capite tomentofo J. B. A little fliort t)f Gate«
houfe-grecn, in the road from Middlewich,
Chefhire, plentifully; and not any where elfe, that
I have feen, in thefe counties.

Carduus nutans J. B. “ In agris incultls et reftlbilibus
“ non raro provenit.” R. Hift. It is not frequent
in this part of the kingdom, where I have obferved
it only on the Bailey-hill at Mold (there but
fparingly), and about Pont-newidd near Kilken in
this county, plentifully.

Carduus ftellatus five Cfalcitrapa J. B. “ Juxta vlas
“ publicas, circa oppidi et pagos, inque incultis et
“ fterilioribus frequens eft.” R. Hift. And, ac-
cording to Gerard, this and Carduus folftitialis are
“ in barren places by cities and towns, almoft every
where.” The laft is a ftranger to me, and I have
not feen the former more Northward than between
Northampton and Leicefter.

Cafyophyliata vulgaris majore flore, C. B. Vulgaris
major Park. I once found it on a rock in a wood
near this place.

Caryophyllata aquatica nutante flore C. B. aquatica
flore rubro, ftriato J. B. montana, live paluftris,
purpurea Park. In many damp parts of the
woods here, fo abundantly, that a great deal of
ground is intirely covered with it. Parkinfon’s
figure, which is taken from that of Caryophyllata
aquatica Matth. reprefents the leaf^eS very different
from thofe of this plant, and not at all anfwerable
to his own defcription of it. He there very pro-
perly obferves, that they are fomewhat like to,
but with longer foot-ftalks than, his Caryophyllata
montana, the figure of which he has copied from

A a a 2 that

C 364 ]

that of Caryophyllata major rotundifblia, Caryo-
phyllata montana Matthioli L’Ob.Icon. but Matthi-
olus’s figure of Caryophyllata montana refembles
them only in the leaves and root. L’Obel’s (and
confequently Parkinfon’s) figure is much better in
refped: of the flower; though the petala are not
very diftlndt, nor is the thrum prominent enough,,
which two faults are in all the figures, I have feen,
of this plant.

I once found here, together with this kind, one of
a fine bright yellow ; but not otherwife differentr
An Caryophyllata montana flore luteo nutante Hort.
Reg. Par. ? and once alfo one of the ufual hue,
double and proliferous. An Caryophyllata mon-
tana flore plcno prolifero Breynii R. Hift. ? But I
fufpedf, they were only accidental varieties.

Caryophyllus montanus minor C.B. marinus minimus
rOb. Icon. Not only on the fait marfhes in our
maritime counties, and on the higher rocks of
Snowden, as already obferved : there are two large
inclofures, about two miles by computation, from
Dolgelle, and a large moorifli place about two
miles further, toward Feftiniog, almofl; covered
with it.

Cafllda paluftris vulgatior fl.^ coeruleo Tourn.
Lyfimachia galericulata I’Ob. In this part of
England, I have obferved It only by the fides of a'
ditch and rill dividing the parts and the home-
houfe paftures at Ince, Chefhire, and about thirty
paces from Thornton-brook. There plentifully.

Centaurium luteum perfoliatum J. B. &c. Not very '
common- in thefe parts j but we have it here in .
Ibme of the upper paftures.

Cerafus

C 3^5 ]

Gerafus avium nigra et racemofa, Ger. Very com-
mon in woods, thickets, and hedges hereabout.

I have alfo feen it in hedges in Denbigh and
Merionethfhires.

Ghamaeciftus vulgaris, fl. luteo, C. B. Heleanthemum
vulgare, fl. luteo, I B. On the rocky hills about
Llanveras, Denbighlhire. Though ufualiy on
fuch dry, and efpecially on chalky foils, I have
feen it even in a damp and very iTiady part of a
woody dingle, at Hayes near Ofweftry.

Ghamaedrys vulgaris Park, feu fativa R. Syn. An>
Chamasmorus minor repens C.B, ? Plentifully on a
wall of the caftle at Whittington, Salop.

Ghamaemorus Gerard has the Knot or

Cloudberry twice, under the feveral articles of
Ghamaemorus and Vacinia nubisj and in Phyt.
Brit, it is feverally underftood’ under thofe of
Ghamaemorus, Ger. and Vaccinia nubis, Ger. et
Ghamaemorus ejufdem, the former of which, ac-
cording to Gerard and Phyt. Brit, after him, is
“ upon Stanmore, . between Yorklhire and Weft-
“ moreland,’’ the other, according to Ph. Brit.
“ upon the tops of the high mountains both of the
“ North and in Wales.”

Parkinfon makes two fpecies or varieties of
Ghamaemorus, viz.. Ghamaemorus Anglica, and
Ghamaemorus Cambro-Britannica,five Lancaflrenfe
Vaccinium nubis, and fays, “ Dr. L’Obel found
the laft growing in Wales, and the (hires near'
“ thereunto, as well as in Lancalhire:” but L’Obcl
has not given a figure of either. Parkinfon’s figure
of the former is like that of Rubo Idaso minori
aifinis Ghamaemorus J. B.

Ghildrey,

[ 366 ]

Childrey, In Brit. Bac. fays, the Cloudefberry
is peculiar to the top of Pendle-hill in Lancafhire,
and I do not know that any later author places it
in Wales.

Upon the lOth of Auguft laft, I found about
Cader Vron-wen, the higheft point of Berwin’
mountains, in Denbighdiire, one fpecies of Cha-
inasmorus in vaft abundance. The principal
ftalks, and the bofoms or wings of the footftalks
of the leaves, were like thole of the figure men-
tioned ; but the leaves like thofe of Chamaemorus
Cambro-Britannica Park, The calix, or rather
the perianthemum, in fome plants, had five, in
others only four divifions. Not only the flowers
were paft, but the berries were fallen or had been
gathered.

Clematitis fylv. latifol. five Viorna Park. “ Ubique
“ in fepibus,’* Merr. Pin. I have not obferved it
more Northward than between Stouton and Per-
fliore, Worceflerfhire j and between Plumb-park
corner and Cuttle-mill, Northamptonfhire.

Cochlearia rotundifol. minima. Park* In the grafs,
near the top of Snowdon.

Conyza major Matthioli, five Baccharis quibufdam,
J. B. More fparingly in thefe than In the more
Southern counties. In the inner court, and the
walls above the leads of the caftle of Ludlow,
Salop, and along the highways, many miles about
that town ; alfo about Stretton in that county : in
the road about a quarter of a mile from Denbigh
toward Llanfanan, and on a rock almofl: at the
bottom of Snowdon (near Llyn, fynnon glas).

Conyza

[ 367 J '

Conyza paluilrls ferratifol. C. B. paluftrls major Park.
By the Eaftern fide of the river Dee, juft above
Eaton-boat, Chefhire, fparingly.

Coronopus vulgaris five Cornu cervinum, Park. In
this part of the county, I have not feen it far from
the fea.

Cratregus fol. laciniato Tourn. Sorbus torminalis,
C. B. '

Crataegus fol. fubrotundo, ferrato, fubtus incano
Tourn. Sorbus fylveftris Aria Theophrafti didla.
Park. I have not obferved either this or the
former in this part of the kingdom ; though
Gerard fays, Sorbus (he feems to mean Sorbus
fativa, CB. which is ftill more rare, if at all of
natural growth in this land) and Sorbus tormina-
lis grow “ in woods and groves, in moft places
‘‘ of England.”

Crataegus Fennica Kalmii, Lin. FI. Suec. On the
wall of Caftell Dinas bran, Denbighfhire, two
plants in 1764, and in 1770, a few younger, but.
the larger of the two former then dead.

Cruciata vulgaris. Park. From fome particular
native places mentioned by authors, it feems not.
to be common in the counties about London : but
there is fcarcely any herb' more fo in this part of the
kingdom.

Cyanus fl. albo, maculis coeruleis five purpureis no-
tato, ftaminibus coeruleis. About St. Edmund’s-
bury.

Cymbalaria, C. B. On many walls, befide thofe al-
ready mentioned, by the Thames-fide j particular-
ly from Mill-bank to Weftminfter-bridge, and at
Lambeth, oppofite : at-^the Savoy,, and on Somer-

fet-houfe '

, t 368 ]

fet-houfe garden-wall. On the brick-walls at
Brinkinnalt, the feat of lord Dungannon, in Den-
bighfhire, abundantly. I could learn only, that it
was known to have been there above fifty years.

Dipfacus minor feu Virga paftoris, Ter. Emac.

In humidis et aquofis, ad fepes et rivulos.” R.
Syn. We have it hereabout, and I have feen it in
a few places in Denbighfiiire and Shroptlrire. It is
■ however far from being general.

Echium vulgare, J. B. &c. “ Secus vias et femitas,

‘‘ inque muris non raro, et arvis fterilioribus nimis
“ etiam frequens.” R. Syn. By the road-fidc,
about a mile from Hamftead (toward Wolver-
hampton) StafFordihire, and at Wrine-hill, Che-
fliire j not elfe where, that I have feen, nearer this
way, than Broadway-hill, Worcefierlhire.

Elaphobofcum Matth. By the fides of Stanny-brook,
in many places toward Ince, Chelhire.

Equifetum (ylvaticum tenuifiimis fetis, C. B. By the
road-fide (between Trevalin and Hope, Flintlhire)
in the townfhip of Llai, Denbighfiiire.

-Erica vulgaris hirfutior. Park. That on one of the
Camp-hills, StafFordihire, feems to be intirely
fuch (though not on the adjoining hills), and it is
very frequent, with the common fort, in many
other places.

Erica baccifera procumbens nigra, C. B. On Sala-'
tin-mountain, Salop; on the dried: parts only of
the mountain called Gwern-to in Flintfliire, and
on the bog at Willowbridge, StafFordfliire.

-Euonimus vulgaris. Park. “ In fepibus frequens.”
R. Hift. It is very infrequent this way. I have
Jeen it growing lingly, not in many places, in

Shropfhirc,

[ 3^9 3

Shropihire, and in one place only In this county
of Flint.

Fagus, Park. “ This grovveth through moft woods
in England.” Park. Not through many in this

’ part of England, though I have fomedmes, even
this way, feen a young tree, fpring from the fallen
inaft, among old ones, that had been planted i
and this being more frequently the cafe in fame
parts, where the foil is more fuitable, the obfer-
vation of Caefar may ftill be juft, that in his time
there were not any trees of this kind in Britain.

Flos Adonis, Park. Plentifully on the ground
among the ruins of the Abbey, at St. Edmund’s-
bury.

Foeniculum fylveftre. Park. & vulgare ejufdem ; for
according to R. Hift. they do not differ. On the
caftle-bank at Shrewlbury \ in the trench within
the caftle of Ruthin ; about the gravel-pit at
Hyde-park corner; and in the year 1756, almoft
all over the church-yard of Warden in the ille of
Shepey.

Frangula five Alnus nigra baccifera, Park. “ In
“ fylvofis, udis perfa3pe reperitur.” R. Hift.
Though pretty common in fuch places about
London, and in fome parts of Kent, efpecially
about Tunbridge-town and Wells, I have not ob-
ferved it this way, except in the coppice, called the
park, at Willowbridge, Staffordfliire, where there
is a good deal of it in a very dry gravelly foil.

Fumariacum capreolis, J. B._ On Caergwrle caftle-
hill, and on other hills there-about in this county;
on the Wreken, and on Arcal-hill, near it;
under -a rock in the Foreft De-la-mer, and on
VoL. LXI. B b b Hel%

[ 370 ']

«

Helfby Tor, and moft abundantly among the
oak-bu£hes on two fmall hills at the foot of
the Tor, Chefhire. It ftill grows where Mr,
Ray obferved it, near Bala, and alfo in many
hedges about that town and neighbourhood; and
‘ in and about Dolgelle, the roofs of many build-
ings are covered with it.

Fungus albusovum referens R. Syn. oviformis Merr.
ovatus, J. B. Martyn, in his Tranllation, &c. of
Tournefort’s Hiftoire des Plantes aux env. de Paris,
fays, he found it in great plenty at Chefterton, in
May, and J. Bauhin fays, it appears in April. We
have it plentifully every year on the grafs-plots
about this houfe, and I have feen it in two places
in Denbighfliire ; but never earlier than Septem-
ber, or later than November.

Fungus mufcarius, Park. Fungi mufcas interficlentis
4. fpecies, C. B. &c. R. Hift. venenati, mufcarii
di£li, quarta et elegantiflima fpecies J. B. About
two beech-trees on the common oppofite to Hayes
near Ofweftry, Salop ; on Auger-heath, Cheflaire ;
and moft abundantly in a grove at the top of lord
Chetwynd’s garden at Mare, or Meer, Stafford-
fhire, and in the coppice, called the park, at
Willowbridge in that county ; in Odtober.

This is the moft beautiful Fungus, I have feen;,
and I do not know that it has before been men-
tioned as of this land, though Parkinfon generally
fays, “ in the woods that have been felled." Per-
haps this, that I have met with, is a variety of
the above cited authors ; for the ftrias, or lamella?,
are white ; whereas, according to J, Bauhin and
Mr. Ray, they are black ; and the pedicle, of

which

C 371 ]

which they give us only the dlmenfions, is alfo
w'hite.

Fungus angulofus et velut in l^Jcinias re<n:u9, C. B.
luteus hve palHdus, GhantereJle fo con.-

torquens, dculentus, J. B. In woods here, and
elfewhere, in July, Auguft, Septemberi and Octo-
ber. It is very beautiful.

Fungus piperatus albus, lacteo fucco turgens, J. B.
In woods here in September.

Fungus maximus, albus, la6tefcens, non acris. In
WillowbridgCrpark, and Broughton-wood, Staf-
fordflaire. Odiober.

Fungus parvus parvi galeri formam exprimens, rufus,
C. B. On Caergwrle caftle-hilt in this county.
Oftober and November.

Fungus medias magnitudinis, pileolo fuperne e rufo
flavicante, lamellis fubtus fordide virentibus. R.
Syn. With the laft preceding.

Fungus medius pileo muco seruginei coloris obdudlo
R. Syn. Frequent hereabout. September.

Fungus acetabulorum modocavus, radice carens, CB.
Fungi Pericas Plinii Col.

Fungus Hepaticas faxatilis forma, C. B. Fungi Pericae
altera fpecies. Col. This and the laft preceding
in the foil about the ftools of oaks cut down, here-
about, and about Willowbridge, Staffordfhire, in
November. They are of a fine orange colour,
and of great beauty.

Fungus ophioglofiToides non defcriptus, Ph. Brit,
ophiogloflbides niger, R. Hift. Abundantly on
the grafs-plots about this houfe, and at Hayes,
Salop. I have feen it elfewhere on dry ground in

B b b 2 both

[ 372 ]

‘ both thefe counties, and, believe it h often over-
looked.

Fungi parvi lutei ad ophioglollbidem'
accedens, R. Hift.-

Fungus terreftris, digitatus didtus,
minor, Park.

Fungus candidus digitatus minor, C.B. .

Fungus rapaofus candidiffimus cera-
noides, five digitatus minimus, non-
nunquam corniculatus. Plot. Nat.
Hift. Staff.

Of thefe, and
of many other,
approaching to
them, and of fe-
veral colours, I
have obfcrved a
greatvariety here-
about and elfe-
where, in Octo-
ber and Novem-
ber,

Fungus ramofus, flavus et albidus, J. B. In a dry
thicket by the brook Terrig, in Treithen in this
county. Auguft.

Fungus parvus luteus, ramofus, R. Syn. On the
grafs- dopes here s on the afcent from the river
Alen to Gresford, Denbighfhire > in 'the Park at
Willow bridge, and on Heyley-cafUe-bank, Staf-
fordfhire.

Fungus pyriformis, Merr. Pin. In paftures hereabout.
September.

Fungus pulverulentus, Crepitus Lupi didus, major,
pediculo longiorc ventricofo, R. Syn, In paftures
hereabout, at the end of March, and in Septem-
ber.

Fungus phalloides, J. B. ftetidus, penis imaginem re-
ferens, C. B. 1 fuppofe, it is common in Septem-
ber, in moft counties, though oftener fcented than
feen. It is hereabout known by the Welfli name,
Gingrocn, or Cingroen.

Gtniftelk tindoria, Ger. “ In pafeuis nimis fre-
^ quons.” R, Sya.' I have not fcen of it in this
2 county

C 373 3

county, though I have often in thofe of Chefter
and Stafford.

Geniftella aculeata, Park. Not fo frequent this way
as about London. Abundantly about Horton,
near Malpas, Chefhire, and between Dolgelle and
Feftiniog.

Gentianella fugax autumnalis elatlor, Centaurii mi-
noris foliis, R. Syn. Variat floris colore, carneo,
coeruleo, albo. On the bank at Clomendy in
Llanveras, Denbighfhire. It feems to differ only
in fize from Gentianella autumnalis Centaurias
minoris foliis Park.

Geranium batrachoides, J. B. In the field, which is
next above the bridge, called Pont-llong, and be-
tween the rivers Alen and Terrig in this townfhip,
Leefwood j on the bank at Clomendy in Llanveras,
and in the church -yard of Llanveras, Denbigh-
fhire, and mofi abundantly about the Derbyfliire
end of Burton-bridge.

Groffularia, Park. Not unfrequently in hedges and
thickets and upon walls.

Helenium, five Enula campana, J. B. I have feen it
in a few fields in this county j in fome wafte places
about Frelh-water, and elfewhere, in the Ifle of
Wight; but no where fb plentifully as in the
fields and lanes about Aber in Carnarvonfliire.

Herba Paris, J. B. Sparingly in a wood in Treithin,
and in one in Broncoed, both near this place, with
4, 5, and 6, leaves.

Hippofeiinum five Smyrnium vulgare. Park. ^ In
“ mofi: places of England.” Ger. It is certainly
very rare, I have feen of it only in the two inner
courts of the cafile of Ludlow, Salop ; near St,

Edmund’s-

[ 37+ 3

Edmund’s-bury, in a field at the angle between
two roads leading to Newmarket and Farnham,
where it grov/s abundantly; between the tov/n
and cliff of Harwich, as mentioned -by Mr. Dale;
and Iparingly by the Thames-fide between the
planks fupporting the bank at Slangate, Lambeih.

llorminum fylv. Lavenduls flore, C. B. “ In gla-
“ reofis frequens.” R. Syn. In this part of the
kingdom I have fecn it only on Denbigh cafile hill.

Hypericum pulchrum Traji, J, B. Plentifully on
the hills about Cader Uronwen, Denbighfhire.

Hypericum maximum, Androfa:mum vulgare diftum
■R. Syn. In a thicket at Hays, Salop, and elfe-
where; but not common.

Hypericum elegantiflimum non ramofum folio lato,
J. B. Upon an hour’s fearch, I found only two
plants of it, where Mr. Ray obferved it near
Denbigh.

Juniperus vulgaris baccis parvis purpureis, J. B. I
have not feen it more Northward than between
Woodlfock and Enfion, though I have heard that
it grows on fome mountains in Wales; nor could
I find Juniperus Alpina, J. B. upon Snowdon,
where we read it grows.

Laureola, Park. “ In fylvis et fepibus fatls frequens,”
R. Hift. Though frequent in fome counties; I
have not feen it this way.

Liguftrum, J. B. “ In fylvis, vepretis et fepibus fre-
“ quens.” R. Hifi:. It feems to be rare in thefe
counties. In fome hedges about Bridgenorth,
Salop; between Ivetfea-bank and Canock-heath,
Staffordfhire. I have feen only three or four fhrubs,
and thefe in one hedge, in this county of Flint.

Litho-

. [ 375 ]

Lithofpermum majiis ereftiim, C. B. ** Ad vias et
“ fepes.” Cat. Angl. I have met with it but
twice in this county, and not often elfewhere.

Lychnis, Saponaria dida, R. Syn. Among the ruins
of the monaftery at Greenfield in this county ; on
the caftle-hill at Denbigh; by the road- fide be-
tween Llanamonerch and the new-bridge, Salop,
and in a gravel-pit near the end of St. Edmund’s-
bury, toward Sudbury.

Lyfimachia purpurea trifol. caule hexagono Spigel.
Ifag, Much more frequent than the quadrangular
about Ince, Thornton, Stoke, and Stanny, Chefhire.
Some of the ftaLks are pentagonal, and have their
leaves fingly at the joints, alternate. The quad-
rangular have only two oppofite leaves. I have
alfo obfeived fome diftindtly heptagonal ; appa-
rently only fo, with four leaves at a joint : but I
fufpedl that they were in reality odlagonal. All
the other varieties frequently rife from one
root.

Lyfimachia lutea, J B, By Thornton-brook in two
places between the Mill and Ince-common, Che-
fhire. The fide flioots in pairs, in threes, and in
fours: but fo, as far as I obferved, indifferent plants.

Lyfimachia fpeciofa, quibufdam Onagra didta, fili-
quofa, J. B. . Chamaenerion flore Ddphinii, Park.

. Par. On the left fide of the hollow road juft
beyond Knowles-park, between Sevenoak and
Tunbridge.

Mentha cattaria, J. B. It is common in a chalky foil :
but of thefe counties I have obferved it only in
Shropfhire, and there about Shifnal, Norton,
Atcham, Neffcliff, Ofweflry, and on the brow of

the

[ 376 ]

the hill above the river Ceiriog on the road from
Ofvveftry to Chirk,

Mentbaftrum fol. rugofo rotundiore fpontaneum, fl,
fpicato, odore gravi, J. B. By the high- way «lidc
near, and Southward of, this houfe, plentifully.

Menthalfrum fpicatum fol. longiore candicante, J. B.
By the brook-fide, in a field called Maes-Madoc
ilTa, near this place, plentifully.

Mefpilus vulgaris, J. B. Between Tunbridge- town
and wells, and I heard it was common in woods
thereabouts.

Myrrhis major, vel CIcutaria odorata, C.B. magno
femine, longo, fulcato, J. B. Major, five vulgaris,
Park.

In Hafiia circa Calfellas fponte provenirc
Myrrhidem referebat Gilleniiis. Hsec, ut ait
Lobelius, nonadeofrequensaut procera occurrir,
“ fed raro et in pratis, Fertur autem apud Ger-
‘‘ manos in pratis alicubi nafei, Dodonaeo perhi-
bente, ciim apud Belgos hortenfis tantummodo
“ fit.” I. Bauhin.

“ It is thought to grow wild in fome fields In
“ Germany j but I doubt the report.” &c. -Park.
Theat.

Dr. Hill, in Br. Herb, has given a figure of
garden Myrrhis, and alfo one of garden Chervill.
It is hard to know which he intends for this. The
firfl he has left undeferibed : the other he has
given fome account of, under the name of Chx-
rophyllum fativum, which, he fays, is fo called
by C. Bauhine, and, by our gardeners. Sweet Fern.
But Chaerophilum fativum, C.B, is an annual. This,

though

E 377 ]

though the flialks are annually removed, has a per-
ennial root.

“ In the forellof Savernac (Wilts) grows a kind
of fvveet fern.” Brit. Bac. Whatever that may
be.

This grows plentifully here for the length of
about 300 yards on both lides of the brook Terrig,
in a field called Y Parki, and fparingly by the
fame brook, at a confiderable diftance below, in a
field called Maes-Madoc. The foil of a dry fand,
but fometimes overflown, I have alfo feen it
fparingly in the church -yard at Kilken, .in this
county, and abundantly among the ruins of the
Abbey of Llanegwafi or de Valle crucis, in Den-
big hfii ire.

Myrtus Brabantica, five Elceagnus Cordi Ger. On
a bog near the road from Mold to Northop, in
this county ; and on one near the Decoy, between
Ofweftry and Babln’s-wood, Salop.

Narcifllts fylv. pallidus calyce luteo, C. B. 1 have
feen it often in wafte places j but never, as I re-
member, far from a houfe.

Oenanthe aquatica minor. Park. Common in
marfli ditches, and there I’eem to be fome varieties
of it.

Orobanche, five Rapum Geniflte, Ger. &c. “ Not

“ to be found, but where broom doth grow.” Ger.
“ More often where no broom groweth.” Park.
I have not feen it in this neighbourhood, where we
have no broom : but it may be found at Hayes in
Shropfliire, with broom, and very plentifully with
furze, where there is no broom, over the fand rocks
at I nee in Chefhire.

VoL. LXI.

C c c

Pedicularis

[ 3?8 J

Pedicularls pratenfis fl. candidis, C. B. quibufdani
Crida galli flore albo, J. B. Hereabout, and elfe-
where, with the common red fort, fparingly.

Pentaphyllum, vel potius Heptaphyllum, fl. rubro,
J. B. “ No where near London." Martyn on
Tourn. Par. On the bog at Willowbridge, Staf-
fordfhire; and on the mofs near Hampton, Salop.
In pits about Stoke and Stanny, Chefliire, plenti-
fully.

Phyllitis multifida, Ger. I have fometimes feen it
on moiH: and fhady rocks, in this county, and in
Denbighfhire. Whether fpecifically diflindt from
the common fort, or not, I cannot determine; but
in fome places where the common is in great
plenty, and 1 have obfcrved it many years, it has
not varied in any one inflance.

Populus Though Populus tremula, G. B.

feems not to be very common, I believe but fel-
dom planted, I have reafon to think that we have
it of fpontaneous growth ; but I am not fo well
fatisfied with regard to any other fpecies of this
genus.

Pul monaria anguftifol. rubente coeruleo flore, C. B.
foliis Echii L’Ob. Icon. Among the ruins of
Greenfield monaflery in this county.

Pyrafter, feu Pyrus fylveflris, J. B. “ In fylvis et.
“ fepibus paflim.” R. Syn. I have but very
rarely feen it.

Ranunculus montanus Aconki folio, fl. globofo, C. B.
Heileborus niger Ranunculi folio, fl. globofo majore
Tourn. About Dolgelle, Feftiniog, Llanrhwfl,
&CC. in Merioneth and Denbigh fhires, and in the
meadows at Hayes, Salop, plentifully.

4 .

Rhamnus

[ 379 ]

Rhamniis catharticus, J. B. “ Locis fentlcofis, fepi*
“ bus et fylvis non raro.” R. Hift. I have met
with it moft often in our Southern counties ; fel'**
dom in Shropdiire, and not at all in this neigh'«
boLirhood.

Rorella longifolia perennis, R. Hid. fi non Rorelk
longifol. maxima ejufdem ; plentifully, but lefs
fo than Ros foils fol. rotundo, C. B. on the
hillocks, called Triddle-bogs, on the great bog at
Willowbridge, Staffordiliire.

Rofa fylv. frudu majore hifpido, R. Syn. Almofl as
frequent. as the common hep-treCb

Rofa Pimpinellze folio, Ger. fylv. pomifera minor^
C. B. “ In fabulofis et petrofis frequens." R,
Hid. Not generally fo j on Twittenham-common,
among the furze plentifully, and on other com-
mons in Surry : the hedges along the road from
the nth to the 12th mile-done from Worceder
toward Kiderminder, are almod intirely of it j and
’ it is almod all over the rocky-hill by the North-
wed fide of Denbigh.

Rubus Idasus fpinofo frudu rubro, J. B. Very com-
mon in thefe, and I have often feen it in woods
and thickets in fome of the Southern counties.

Rufeus, Park. “ groweth generally throughout this
“ land, in copfes and upon heaths and wade-
grounds.” Park. On the fides of the road, fre-
quently, between Bromly-town and common, and
between that common and Farnborough, Kent.
It has not been my hap to meet with it ellewhcre.

Sambucus vulgaris. Park. “ groweth not wild, but
“ is planted in all places, to ferve, &c.” • Park. It

■ is certainly wild in woods and thickets, and not

C c c 2 ' unfre-

[ 380 J

unfreqnently even in the clifts of rocks and upoa
walls.

Sambacus humills, five Ebulus, C. B. At Fern-hill
near Whittington, and about Whittington-callle,.
Salop ; about a mile from Hamifead toward
Wolverhampton, fparingly j on Tamworth caftle-
bank, plentifully j on the walls of Colchefter-
cafile ; in the ditches at the entrance of Long-Mil-
ford (from Sudbury) ; in Durfon-field near North-
ampton, and on Slaton-hill at the crofiuig of
Watling-ffreet, between Northampton and Da-
ventry ; between Newport and Carefbrook-callle,
Itle of Wight ; fparingly by the ditches between
Kennington-common and the Afylum. Mr.
Blackfione, in his Specimen Botanicum, fays,
“ near the upper gate in Cuper’s-gardens ab-
undantly.” 1 fearched diligently, both within
and without the gate, September 16, 1759,
found not one plant of it ; but within I found
fmall plants of Sambucus vulgaris among the large,
in vaft abundance ; yet I hardly think he could
miftake one fpecies for the other.

Sedum minimum, fl. mixto ex albo et rubro, Merr..
On rocks, walls, and dry banks, almofi: throughout
Carnarvon and Merioneth fiiires; and on and about;
Caftell dinas-bran, near Llangollen, and in other
parts of Denbighfhire adjoining to thofe two
counties.

Senecio hirfutus vifcidus major odoratus, Ji B. On.
dry banks, walls, and rocks, at Ince, Chefliire.

Solanum lethale. Park, Within the remains of Ha-
vv ar den- call le, and abundantly in and about Hope
in this county j about the Abbey de Valle crucis,
2 and

[ 38i ]

and at Vron, and other places near Chirk-caftle,
Denbighfliire,. and by the brook under the North-
weft fide of the town of Denbigh,

Sorbus fylv. foliis domefticae fimilis, C. B; Ornus
Dod. live Fraxinus fylv. Park. “ In montofis
“ et uliginofis in Cambria et Septentrionali Anglias
parte.” R. Syn. I may add, in the South too,
having feen it in abundance even in the moft
fouthern parts of Kept and Suflex.

Sphondylium majus aliud laciniatis foliis, Park.
“ found by Mr. G. Bowles in Shropfliire, as 1 take
it.” Park. On both fides of the dingle, in' the
lower part of the wood, at Hayes, near Ofweftry j
it feems to be as common as Sph. vulgare; than
which, fcarcely any weed there is more fo, though
in other parts of that wood, where the common
fort is no lefs plentiful, this is hardly to be found.
1 have not feen it elfewhere. The apparent dif-
ference is fo great, that I cannot but fufpecft them
to be fpecificalJy diftin(5t. 1 have the feeds of
both now upon trial.

Parkinfon’s figure of this plant is very bad, and
I know none other of it.

Taxus, Park. “ This groweth in many places of this
“ land ; but planted in all, whether at home, or
“ abroad.” Park. It is very common, of natural
growth, not only in woods and thickets, as well as
in hedges, but upon rocks and walls.

Telephium vulgare, G. B. Fan from being univerfal.
Abundantly about Llangollen, and in Carnarvon
and Merioneth (hires.

- Tilia — I do not believe that any fpecies of this

genus is wild in this part of the iftand, however it
be in other parts». Tithy-

I 382 ] .

'Tithymalus linifol. Cam. An Tith. fegetum llnifol.
R. Syn. With the oats hereabout.

'Trachelium majus Belgarum, Park. In (hady places
hereabout, and eliewhere in Mold’s-dale ; but moft
abundantly in a field here, called y Parki,
through which the Terrig runs ; alfo about Egluy-
feg and Llangollen, Denbighfifire.

Trachelium majus fl. purpureo, Park. Par. In Shrop-
Ihire toward Tenbury, as well as beyond, in Wor-
•cefter and Hereford Ihires, plentifully 5 in thickets
among the rocks by Clomendy in Llanveras,
Denbighfliire.

I am not certain of Trachelium minus, Park,
which is • faid to be common : but there are cer-
tainly in this ifland, and even in this neighbour-
hood, many fpecies of this genus, that I cannot
find to, have been defcribed or mentioned.

Trichomanes, five Polytrichum, J. B. “ In petris
“ iimbrofis et rofcidis, inque aggeribus umbrofis et
“ muris antiquis magnus ejus per toiam Angliam
“ eft proventus.” According to my obfervation,.
it is rare in moft of the Englifti counties ; but
common hereabout, and much more fo in fome
• parts of Wales. The walls of the bridge and the
walls and roofs of fome houfes at Bethgelert in
Carnarvonftiire, are almoft covered with it.

• yaccinia nigra vulgaris. Park. Frequent on moft
heathy hills j but, as far as I have obferved, more
on dry than wet. It is fcarcely two inches high
on the moft barren ground toward the top of
Snowdon, with an extremely fmall leaf, having
frequently a large red excrefcence, the nidus of an
infeift.

Vaccinia

. [3^3 ]_

Vaccinia rubra buxeis foliis, Park. On the fummlt
only of the mofl; pointed of tbe Camp-hills,
StafFordflfire, in a dry gravel. This too is very
minute in all its parts upon Snowdon, and fo it is-
about Cader Vron-wen, Denbigh.

Verbafcum, fi. albo parvo, J. B. Abundantly along
the roads about Gresford and A6ton, Denbigh-
fhire.

Verbafcum nigrum, fl. parvo luteo, apicibus pur-
pureis, J. B. By the highway and park-hde, al-
mofl: oppofite to Shavington (vulgb Shenton) hall,,
Salop, for about loo yards, plentifully; rather
above a mile beyond Hamflead, toward, and near.
Bar, Staffordfhire ; in many places between Sud-
bury and St. Edmund’s-bury ; at the defcent from-.
Gerard’s Crofs, and alfo in many places between
the Chalk-hills, fhort of Loud- water, and a mile-
or two beyond Weft-Wickham, Bucks.

Viburnum, Park. “ In fepibus paffim,” R. Cat,,
Angl. I have not obferved it more Northward
than about Southam, and between Stratford upon,
Avon and Henley, Warwickfhire, and Ibmewhat
(hort of Hifham, Northamptonfhire.

Viola montana lutea grandiflora, C., B. Pretty plenti-
fully on the mountains about Llanarmon, Dyffryn.
Ceiriog, Denbighfhire, and thence about half way
to Oiweftry ; fparingly about mid-way between.
Ruthin and Llangollen ; between Bala and Felfi-
niog, in forne places, and abundantly between
Feftiniogand Dolgelle.

Virga aurea anguftifol. minus ferrata, C. B. Plenti-
fully throughout the park at Willowbridge, Staf-
fordfhire, and in rocky places at Ince, Helfby, and
- Frodfham,.

[ 384 ]

■ Frodlliani, Chelhire j alfo, but a mudi more
humble growth, on dry Tandy banks about Deref-
bury, Norton, and Halton, Cheihire.

Virga aurea latifol. Terrata, C. B. With the former
at WHlowbridge, but lefs frequent.

Ulmus . I have not been able to ailure my-

felf that any fpecies of this comes up fpontaneoully
with us. I need not except the cafe of fuckers ;

. they being, till removed, but parts of trees, and
many of the kinds, frequently planted, are fo pro-
. dudliv^ of fuckers, even from the extremities of
the roots, that one might expedl thefe trees to be
much more general than they are. It is certain,
there are many very extenlive v/oods without any
of them. , I have often fown the feeds of fome
kinds (that have vifible feeds, which, I think, is
not the caie of all) and ever without fuccefs : but,
having been informed that fuch have been raifed
this wav, I mention my difappointments only as
ibme kind of tedimony, that they are not apt to be
increafed from feeds that cafually fall, and I have
not obierved fuch oifspring.

Umbilicus V’^eneris, Ger. Much more common in
Shropthire, Staffordlhire, Chefliire, and in thjs
county, than more Southward ; dill more in Den-
bighlhire, and on almod every rock and old wall
in Carnarvon and Merioneth Ihires.

Umbilicus Veneris minor, Ger, Umbilicus Veneris,
2. Hid. des Plantes de I’Europe. Alter Cam. in
Matth. 6c Matth. in Diofe. Cotyledon minus
montanum Sedi folio L’Ob. Icon. 469, where the
figure of this and that of Umbilicus Veneris are

j _ ■ • • * « *

tranfpofed. This is a fpecies of jSaxifraga. An

Saxifraga

C si^s ]

Saxifraga Sedi folio anguftiore, ferrato Tourn. ? X
believe, it is not now to be found on Biellon-caftle,
Chelhire, where Gerard fays he found it.

In this Catalogue, I have thought it needlefs to
mention, except comparatively, the particular native
places already pointed out by others. I have pafTed
over the maritime plants, unlefs found alfo in inland
places ; becaufe fuch as I have obferved, are not pe-
culiar to any part of our coaft ; and I have endea-
voured to avoid a needlefs multipicity of fynonyma,
uhng generally the fhorteft name, if fufficiently de-.
fcriptive, or that ufed by the author, whofe icon, or
defcription, Teemed to me to be the beft ; and there-
fore I have not adhered to any one fyflem.

Upon the whole, it may be difficult to determine
what plants, if any, arc originally Britifh.

With regard to biennials, if there has been im-
memorialiy a conftant annual flowering in wafte
places, or in ground that does not appear, or is not
known to have been cultivated for the pur-
pofe, it may perhaps be reafonably prefumed that
they are the natural and fpontaneous prodiid: of
fuch places j for, in this cafe, I underftand natural
and fpontaneous, according to common acceptation,
to be fynonymous, and applicable to any feminal pro-
duction, however happening, or effected, without the
affiflance of art, whether from feeds depofited there,
or in that foil, at the creation, or from fuch as are
conveyed by the wind, by birds, or any other cafual
means, Otherwife, in ftriCtnefs, there may be no fuch
thing in nature as a fpontaneous produ(Sion ; for as
to the old doctrine of equivocal generation, I fup-
VoL. LXI. D d d pofc

[ 386 ]

pofe it to be univerfally exploded j though I do not
difpute that the ftamina, or firft rudiments, have
exifted, in the parent plants, from the beginning of
all things, the vegetative principle being latent, till
prepared to exert itfelf.

And upon the firft conjedure, a difficulty may
arife.

It is, perhaps, not eafy to conceive that the fe-
cundity of feeds, once perfeded, can be retained inert
through many ages. Our experience feems to fliew,
that there are fome kinds of feeds, that, at a certain
age, or nearly fo, either vegetate or perifh ; that, if
kept out of their proper matrix, or in it at too great a
depth, beyond that time, whatever we do with them
afterward, will not grow j and if there be really fuch
(fo depofited ab origine) thofe kinds cannot, even in
that fenfe, and in that cafe, be faid to come up
fpontaneoully.

Befides, if the feeds were fo depofited in the earth,
and in a perfed ftate, fo numerous as they muft be ;
the larger kinds, efpecially, could not efcape our
notice.

As to the antediluvian nuts, cones, and ftone-fruits,
that, we hear, are fometimes found at vaft depths
within the earth, however they may fuit the cabinets
of the curious, I fear they are too antique to be

•

in the other way, the feeds may be conveyed,
from whatever diftance, in different years (for aught
we know they are in every, year), to the places where
we fee the plants; and not only thither,. but to many
places, that are not proper to receive and. cherifli^
them.

prolific

But

It

C 387 ]

It Is evident that the oak, afh, and other bur
moil; common trees, are not naturally increafed in
any other way, except fuch as are produdive of
fuckers at a confiderable diftance from the flems ;
and many of thefe do not generally perfed their
feeds : to fay nothing of inferiour plants, that fome-
times, in the phrafe of gardening, lay themfehes.

But thofe fuckers, till parted from the parent trees,
and removed from the place, are not often better than
underwood, which may be one reafon, why thefe
kinds do notincreafe fo extenfively as the former.

And if our forefathers had not induftrioufly raifed
and increafed (if not previoufly introduced) the moft
common and moft ufeful trees, perhaps we ihould
not obferve them to increafe naturally more, or have
found them more numerous, than many that we
know to be exotic, and yet are as eafily increafed,
and do of themfelves increafe as faff, proportionally,
and are as hardy, as any trees we have.

Yet it is not to be expeded, that thefe of exotic
origin, more than thofe that have been long familiar
to us, flaould increafe alike in all foils, or in all
counties, fince there are fome foils that are far from
being general.

Mr. Da Cofta, in his Nat. Hift. of Foffils, obferves,
that “ Chalk is found chiefly in the South-eaft part
“ of this ifland,” fo that, “ if a ^raight line were
drawn from Dorchefter (in Dorfetlhire) to thecoaft
•“ of Norfolk, it would almofl; include our chalky
ftrataj” and I believe his obfervation to be juft,
except that, though the line be drawn even to the
moft Weftern part of that coaft, this foil extends
conftderably beyond it, into Wiltfl;iire.

D d d 2 We

[ 388 ]

' We know, that of all foils this is the moll fa-
yourable to beech, white-beam, juniper, viburnum,
traveller’s-joy, and to many of the herbaceous tribe;
tiiOLigh not only fuch, but many foreign plants, will
increafe alfo in foils that are not the moll fuitable
to them.

In the woods here*, and at a diftant place, I find,
not unfrequently, feedlings of the Scotch-pine (which
whether indigenous of Scotland, or not, may be
doubtful), fpruce-fir, horfe-chcfnut, walnut, and
perhaps more than I can at this time recolledl. Of
the four kinds mentioned, fome trees, notwith-
fianding the tread and the browfing of cattle, now
grown to a confiderable height, I am certain were
not planted. Of the three firft there are many not
far off, that were planted, and probably may in moft
feafons bear perfedl feeds : but of the walnut I do
not know that there is, or has been, within half a
mile of the firfi-mcntioned woods, a tree that has
produced a nut mature enough for vegetation. It is,
however, cafy to conceive, that the nuts may have
been brought from a much greater difiance by- birds,
or other animals, and dropped accidentally, or
hoarded and forgotten, or perhaps not needed.

In a fhrubbery, many years left to nature, I have
obferved very numerous progenies of various foreign
fhrubs, both from the feeds and roots ; and it is well
known to gardeners, that many of' their once choice
flowering herbs are apt to multiply in the way
of fuckers, while the feeds of others fow themfelves
fo plentifully, , as not eafily to be kept within
bounds. .

4

N

C 389 ]

It, therefore, feems to me not unlikely, that all
thefe kinds, and many more perhaps yet unimported,
may in future ages be fo far naturalized as to be
deemed indigenous of this land.

But this conjedure, and the former, are offered,
with fubmifTion. .. I am, .

SIR,.

Your moft obedient »,

and moft humble* fervant,-

Leefwood,
Dec. 24^, 1770.

R. He Waring^,

XLII. A

[ 39° 1

XLII. A Catalogue of the Fifty Specimens of
Plants^ from Chelfea Garden : prefented
to the Royal Society^ for the Tear 1770,
purfuant to DireBion of the late Sir
Hans Sloane, Bart, frotn the Society of
Apothecaries London : By Stanefby Al-
chorne, Member of the faid Society.

I

Read Dec. 6, 240 1 /I d T H U S A, Cynapium, Lin.

/I j Spec, plant. 367. i.

Cicuta minor petrorelini fimilis. Bauh.pIn.i6o.

5402 Ajuga, reptanSy ftolonibus reptantibus. Lin.
Spec, plant. 785. 4.

Confollda media pratenfis ccerulea. Bauh. pin,
260.

2403 Anemone, nemorofay femlnibiis aeutis, follolis

inciiis, caule unifloro. Lin. Spec, plant.
762. 15.

Anemone nemorofa flore majore. Bauh. pin.
176.

2404 Anemone, ThaliStroideSy foliis caulinls fimpllci-

bus verticillatis, radicalibus duplicato-ter-
natis. Lin. Spec, plant. 763. 21.

Ranunculus nemorofus aquilegiae foliis virgl-
nianus afphodeli radice, Pluck. Aim. 310.
tab. 106. fig. 4.

£405 An-

[ 391 ] , . . _

2405 Antirrhinum, bipunSlatum, folila iinearibus

glabris, jnferioribus quaternis, caule eredto
paniculate, flojibus fpicato-capitatis. Lin.
Spec, plant. 853. 13.

Linaria lutea parva annua. Bauh, hift. III. 457.

2406 Antirrhinum, Oroniium, corollis ecaudatis, flo-

ribus fubfpicatis, calycibus digitatis, corolla
longioribus. Lin. Spec, plant. 860. 36.
Antirrhinum arvenfe majus. Bauh. pin. 2 12,

2407 Apium, graveolenSy foliolis caulinis cuneifor---

mibus, urnbellis feffilibus. Lin. Spec, plant.

379- I-

Apium paluftre live Apium. officiharum..
Bauh. pin. 154.

2408 Berberis, vulgarisy pedunculis racemofis. Lin,

Spec, plant. 471. i.

Berberis dumetorum. Bauh. pin. 454.

2409 Bryonia, alba,- foliis palmatis, utrinque callolb--

fcabris. Lin. Spec, plant. 1438. i.

Bryonia alba baccis nigris. Bauh.. pin. 297..

2410 Bu-x.\JiS^fempervire?2S. Lin. Spec, plant. 1394. i.
Buxus arborefeens. Bauh. pin. 471..

2411 Gentaurea, Cyanus^ calycibus ferratis, foliis

Iinearibus integerrimis, infimis dentatis, Lin.
Spec, plant. 1289. 14.

Cyanus fegetum. Bauh. pin. 273.

2412 Cheiranthus, Cheiri, foliis lanceolatls acutis

glabris, ramis angulatis. Lin. Spec, plant.
924. 2.

Leucojum luteum vulgare. Bauh. pin.. 202,
241-3 Chryfanthemum, Leiicanthemum, toliis am-
* plexicaulibus bblongis, fuperne ferratis,
inlime dentatis. Lin. Spec, plant, 1251. 4.

Beilis

[ 392 3

Beilis fylveftris caule foliofb major. Bauh.
pin. 261.

2414 Convallaria, n)erticillata^ follis verticillatis,
Lin. Spec, plant. 451. 2.

Polygonatum anguftifolium ramofum, Bauh.
pin. 304.

3415 YXWCiz'y NyBelea, Lin. Spec, plant. 1662. i.
'2416 Eryfimum, ojicinale filiquis fpicae adpreflis,
foliis runcinatis. Lin. Spec, plant. 922. i.
Eryfimurh vulgare. Bauh. pin. 100.

2417 Tragaria, vefcaj flagellis reptantibus. Lin.

Spec, plant. 708. i.

Fragaria vulgaris. Bauh. pin. 326.

24 1 8 Glecoma, h^eracea^ foliis reniformibus crenatis.

- Lin. Spec, plant. 807. i.

Hedera terreftris vulgaris. Bauh. pin. 306.

2419 Halefia, tetraptera^ foliis lanceolato-ovatis, pe-

tiolis glandulohs. Lin. Spec, plant. 636. i.
Halefia frudtibus membranaceis quadrangulatis.
Phil. Tranf. LI. 931.

2420 Helleborus, fatidus, caule multifloro foliofo,

foliis pedatis. Lin. Spec. pi. 784. 4. (^,
Helleborus niger trifoliatus. Mor. Hiff. Ill,
460.

2421 Hypoxis, ereBdy pilofa, capfulis ovatis. Lin.

Spec, plant. 439. r.

Ornithigalum herbaceum luteum parvum vir-
ginianum foliis gramineis hirfutis. Pluk.
Aim. 272. tab. 350. fig. 12.

2422 Lamium, alburn^ foliis cordatis acuminatis pc-

tiolatis, virticillis vigintifloris. Lin. Spec,
plant. 809. 5.

Lamium

t 393 ]

Lamium album non foetcns, folio oblongoi
Bauh. pin. 231.

2-423 Lamium, piirpiireum, foliis Gordatis oBtufis-
petiolatis. Lin. Spec, plant. 809. 6.
Lamium purpureum fcetidum folio fubrotundo.
Bauh. pin. 230.

2424 Laurus, 7iobilis^ foliis venofis lanceoLtls p^nis

perennantibus, ramulis tuberculatis cicatri-
cibus, floribus racemolis. Lin. Spec, plant.
529* 5*

Laurus vulgaris. Bauh, pin. 460.

2425 Ligufticum, Scoticimy foliis biternatis. Lin.

Spec, plant. 359. 2.

Ligufticum humilius Scoticum, Pluk. Aim,.
217. tab. 96. fig. 2.

2426 Myrfine, Africana. Lin. Spec, plant. 285. i.
Buxus africana rotundifolia ferrata. Pluk. Aim.

74. tab. 80. fig. 5.

2427 NarcilTus^ mnor^ Ipatha uniflora, ncdtaria

obconico eredto crifpo fexfido aequante petala -
lanceolata. Lin. Spec, plant, 415. 4.
NaroifTus parvus totus luteus* Bauh. pin. 53.

2428 Narciffus, Ffeudo-NarciJfiiSy fpatho uniflora,

nedfario campanulato eredto crifpo aequanta
petala ovata. Lin. Spec, plant. 414. 2.
Narciffus fylveflris pallid us caly ce luteo. . Bauh^
pin- 52.

2429 Ononis, crifpa^ fruticofa,. foliis ternatis fub--

rotundis undulatis dentatis vifcofo-pube-
fcentibus, pedunculis unifloris muticis. Lin';
Spec, plant. loio. 14.

243O' Peltaria, alliacea. Lin. Spec, plant. 91Q. i..

Thlafpii

Voi.. LXLv

E e e.

[ 39+ ]

Thlafpi montanum glafti folio majus. 'Bauh.
pin. 106.

.3431 Potentilla. Anferina^ foliis pinnatis fcrratls,
caule repente. Lin. Spec, plant. 710. 2.
Potentilla. Bauh. Pin. 321.

243^ Primula, veris, foliis dentatis rugofis. Lin.
Spec, plant. 204. i. y.

Verbafculum fylveftre majus fingulari flore.
Bauh. pin. 241.

.2433 Ranunculus, bulhofiis^ calycibus retroflexis,
pedunculis fulcatis, caule eredto, foliis com-
pofitis* Lin. Spec, plant. 778. 25.
’Ranunculus pratenfis radici vcrticilli modo
rotunda; Bauh. pin. 179.

2434 Ranunculus, Illyricus, foliis ternatis integerri-

.mis lanceolatis. Lin. Spec, plant. 776. 17.
.Ranunculus lanuginofus anguftifolius grumofa
radici. Bauh. pin. 18 1.

2435 Rhexia, Virginiana^ foliis feflelibus fcrratis,

calycibus glabris. Lin. Spec, plant. 491. i.
Lyhmachia non pappofa virginiana tuberarise
foliis hirfutis flore tetrapetalo rubello. Pluk.
Aim. 235. tab. 202. fig. 8.

2436 Rumex, acetofa^ floribus dioicis, foliis oblongL

fagittatis. Lin. Spec, plant. 481. 24. L
Acetofa montana maxima. Bauh. pin. 1 14.

2437 Rumex, acetofella, floribus dioicis, foliis lan-

ceolato-haftatis. Lin. Spec, plant. 481. 25.
Acetofa arvenfis lanceolata. Bauh. pin. 1 14.

2438 ^ambucus, mgra^ cymis quinquepartitis, caule

arboreo. Lin. Spec, plant. 385. 3.
Sambucus frudtu in umbella nigro. Bauh.
pin. 456.

2439 Sa

[ 39S ]

2439 Saponaria, orientalisy ■ calycibus cylindricjs

villofis, caule dichotomo eredo patulo.
Lin. Spec, plant. 585. 5.

Lychnis orientalis annua fupina antirrhini folio,,
jflore minimo purpurafcente. Dil. Hort.
Elth. 205.

2440 Scandix, cerefoliiim^ feminibus nitidis ovato,-

fubulatis, umbellis fcffilibus lateralibus. Lin..
Spec, plant. 368. 3.

Gha^rophyllum fativum. Baub. pin. 152.

2441 Scilla, bifolia t radice folida,. dpribus erediuf-

culis paucioribus. Lin. Spec, plant. 443. 6.,
Hyacinthus fleilaris bifolius germanicus. JBauh.
pin. 152;

2442 S\{ymhnumy Sophia, petalis calyce minoribup,

foliis decompobto-pinnatis. Lin. Sp, pL
920, 18..

Nafturtium fylvedre tenuiffime divifum..
Bauh. pin. 105.

2443 Swertia, perennis, corollis quinquefidis, foliis-

radicalibus ovalibus. Lin. Sp. pl. 328. i.
Gentiana paluftris latifdlia.. Bauh. pin. 188.

2444 Syringa, laciniata, foliis lanceolatis, integiis^

diffedifque. Lin.. Spec. pi. 12. 2./^.

Lilac laciniato folio. Mill. Did. pi. 164. 2.

2445 vulgaris, fDliis ovato cordatis- Lin..
Spec. pi. 1 1. I.

Lilac fore faturate purpureo. Mill.. Did.
P- 563V

2446 Trifolium, Melilotus-ccerulea, fpicis oblongis,.

leguminibus feminudis mucronatis caule
eredo. Lin. Spec. pi. 1077. j..

Lotus hortenfis odorata. Bau.h, pin. 331..

E e e 2 ^447 Vinca-.

C 396 ]

2447 Vinca majory caulibns eredis, folils ovatis»

floribus pedunculatis. Lin. Sp. pi. 304. 2.
Clematis Daphnoides major. Bauh. pin. 302,

2448 Viola, canina, cauie adultiore adfcendente,

foliis oblongo-cordatis. Lin. SpcC. plant.

^ *324- 9; .

Viola martia inodora fylvedris. Bauh. pin. T99.-

2449 Viola, hirki, acaulis, foliis cordatis pilofo-hil-

pidis, Lin. Spec. pi. 1324. 6.

Viola inartia hirfuta inodora. Mor. Hid. II..

.P'-475-

2450 Zinnia, multifloray doribus numeroCs. Lin.

Spec. pi. 1 269. 2.

Zinnia doribus pedunculatis. Jacq. Obf. 2.
tab. 40.

XLin. I^ran^

[ 397 ]

XLIII. Obfervatmts made, by appointment
of the Royal Society^ at King George’s
Ifland in the South Sea ; by Mr. Charles
Qreen> formerly A[Jifla7it at the Royal
Obfervatory at Greenwich, and Lieut,
James Cook, of his Majefly s Ship the
JEndeavour,

Read November 2r, 1771*

1769

April ^ 2n anchor In Royal Bay In King

YV George’s ifland.

Fixed upon the North point of the bay, which is the
moft Northern point of the ifland, for the place of obfer-
vation ; here we built a fmall fort, to fecure us againft
the natives, which we called fort Venus : it was not
finilhed and the inftruments fet up in proper order until
the 10th of May, therefore the time for all obfervations
made before this day, was taken by a watch with a
fecond hand, the going of which was afcertained by
altitudes of the fun as often as were necefTary.

The aftronomical clock, made by Shelton and furnilh-
cd with a gridiron pendulum, was^ fet up in the middle
of one end of a large tent, in a frame of wood made
for the purpofe at Greenwich, fixed firm and as low in
the ground as the door of the clock-cafe would admit,
and to prevent its being difturbed by any accident, an-
other framing of wood was made round this, at the
diftance of one foot from it. The pendulum was ad-

jufted

1

[ S98 ]

jufted exa£l]y to the fame length as it had been at Green-
wich. Without the end of the tent facing the clock,
and 12 feet from it, flood the obfervatory, in which
were fet up the journeyman clock and aftronomical
quadrant : this lafl, made by Mr. Bird, of one foot
radius, flood upon the head of a large cafk fixed firm
in the ground, and well filled with wctt heavy fand.
A centinei was placed continually over the tent and
obfervatory, with orders to fuffer no one to enter either
the one or the other, but thofe whofe bufinefs it was.
The telcfcopes made ufe of in the obfervations were —
Two refleding ones of two feet focus each, made by
the late Mr. James Short, one of which was furnifhed
with an objedl glafs microrneter. Thus furnifhed, the
following obfervations were made.

Obferva-

[ 399 ]

^^vatlons of equal Altitudes of the Sun for the Time, niadc with the Aflronomical

Q^drant.

jjjTime per .clock of the Sun’s Liliib paffing the Wires at equal Altitudes.

Obfervatory

Side of

the

Remarks.

•

i

clock.

|r

h / //

f n

/ /;

r n

/ //

/ //

Mean noon

Baro.

Th.

Baro.

Th

9 39 5%

41 43

42 20

44 23

45 00

47 425

per clock.

,30 '8

8 b

-.0 1 9

82

1 no

i 2 04 uf

2 35

CO 57

I 58 53

58 18

55 34i

^50 'b

83

3° 15

82

C. G.

jii 51 38-1

51 39,

51 3«l

51 39

51 39

51 38f

1 I 31 38,7

1

1

1 9 09 08

II 3$

1 2 09

14 00

■14 35

17 01

1

ho 22

8o

30 20

84.

1

jClondy

2 30 0$

29 36'

Cloudy

27 10

24 45

,

30 29 S3'

30 14

88

C. G.

II 50 52

5^ 52I

50 52|

50 53

1 1 30 52,5

9 r I 38

14 04

14 40

16 31

'7 04I

i 19 33

'30 35

89

30 i3js6

I 10

1 2 29 22

26 58

26 24

too late tor ihefe wires.

30 I.

83

qo oq 85

C. G.

50 30

p 31

30 32

II 50 31

9 39 23

42 cS

42 47

44 52

45 30

48 1 6

'30 1 6 87

3^ 14

86

14

Cloudy

I 55 24

;,4 4^"

I 52 00:

30 2086

30 19

88

C

:. G.,

II 30 08

30 08

50 08

11 30 08

jt I

9 15 34

18 05

18 40

20 36

2 1 M

23 44

fl 1

2 23 14

20 43

20 09

18 12

>7 38

15 05

II 49 24

49 24

A 9 24I

49 24

49 24!

49 24I

1 1 49 9I

1

9 27

30 30

31 05

33 09

33 455

36 23

30 19

88

30 15

84

2 10 27

7 5P

7 14

5 9i

4 33f

'30 11

87

iO 00 8i

C. G.

U t iLtJJI

II 49 9I

49 ic> -

49 9i

49 9I

49 9i

II 49 9>55

1

0 {

8 21 02

23 15

23 45

25 27

23 36

28 1 1

None

a ^

Cloudy

14 00::

12 >3:

II 43

Cloudy

good but

II i8

II 48 5i|

4^ 521

4,8 51

48 5°l

1 1 48 51,4

ihc firO,

8 36 3ii

48 47

49 19

41 C5

41 36

43. 53

30 1082

30 lO

84

reft in a

3 01 II

2 59 00::

58 26::

Cloudy

56 o6i;:

53 52:;

30 00 82

30 08 86

confufeJ

B^ng od

n 48 51I

4» 53,3

48’ 32,5

48 Sif

48 32.3

1 1 48 51,2

J

haze C G

9 44 P

47 44

48 23

50 39

51 19

54 17:

I 51 07

48 1 2

47 27 .

45 19

44 36

41 42

1

“ 47 59

47 58

47 55

47 S9

47 57I

47 59-2-

CT|

CO

10 3 39

30 25

81

30 22

84

I 32 17

30 19 82

30 17

87

C

'. G.

II 47 58

‘I 47 58

9 12 24

14 59f

15 34

17 33

17 20

20 43

30 20 84

30 12

83

2 22 27

19 54

19 20

17 20

14 1 1

30 17

B2i

30 1 1

82

C. G.

53

II 47 25I

47 26|-

47 27

47 26^

47 27

II 47 z6|

J

9 30 4^i

33 31

34 07

36 16

36 33

39 421

-

2 03 57

I '5

2 00 39

58 28

57 52

55 05

II 47

47 23

47 23

47 22

47 23I

47 23i

II 47,22,8

Obfcrvatioiis

[ 400 ']

Obfervations of equal Altitudes of the Sun for the Time, made with the Aftrono*

mical Quadrant.

Time

1769

May

Reading ofF

a ^

With flop

per clock 0

h / ff

7 43 17
3 5^ 01

11 47 9

8 05 29
3 28 $2

n 47 io|

f the Su

. f ff

45 26
48 52

47 09
7 39

26 41

47 10

n’s Liml

/ //

45 55
48 26

47 i°i
8 10
26 1 1
47 102-

) palling the
/ //

47 33

46 45

47 09
9 52

24 29
■ 47 io|

Wires a
/ //

48 02

46 16

47 09
10 21
23 59
47 10

t equal
^ n
50 10
44 09
47 9l
.2 33
21 49
47 II

Altitudes.

Mean noon
per clock.

II 47 9f
II 47 10,4

Obferv

Baro.
30 19

30 13

atory

Th.

82|

80

Side 0
, cloc

Baro.
50 12
30 07

‘ the

k.

Th

77?

83

Remarks.

< .

J. C.

•

U 25

10 04 2lf
I 29 ^2

11 46 56I

7 415

2612

46 sf|

8 2^i
25 27
|6 56I

II 02]
22 49

46 55 1

II 5oi
22 03
46 56I

15 16
Cloudy

1 1 46 56,55

30 19
30 07

81X

80

30 15
30 10

8i4

82

J. c.

h 27

8 I^ 59

j 16 51
II 46 25

18 20
14 33
46

18 42

H 7
46 24j

20 351
12 21
46 28A

21 II
1 1 46
46 2 8|

22 20

9 35
46 2yi

II 46 26,7

30 21
30 18

82

84

30 15
30 14

8o|

86

C. G.

G 28

8 41 17
2 51 17
n 46 17

43 45
48 49

46 17

44 9
48 25
46 17

46 0

46 31

46 15!

46 38

45 54

46 16

48 57
43 37
46 17

1 1 46 16,6

30 24
30 20

82

82

30 17

30 17

81 1
86

C. G.

D 29

9 0^ 39
2 26 25
II 46 02

8 18
23 46
46 02

8 44-1
23 20
46 02|

10 48 1
21 17I
46 03

1 1 28
20 39
46 03I

13 57^
18 18
46 2\

I I 46 2|

30 28
30 20

84

79

30 23
30 17

82

88

At ah. 3«*
P.M. woundup
>the clock and
put it forward
10' C7". C.G.

Beading off

^ 50

9 19 13I
2 34 28

II 56 50I

9 36 52
2 16 38

” 56

9 5^ 57
> 57 38
” 56 47i

21 55

31 4^
56 5'l
39 48
«3 47
56 47i
59

54 32
56 494

22 23
31 18:
56 5of
40 i6i
•3 19
56 47l

59 4°i
late

24 23r
29 16
56 49z
42 27I
1 1 07

56 47l
10 02 02i

51 36

56 49?

25 04I

37

56 5o|
43 n
10 24
56 47
2 50
50 48
56 49

27 45

26 o6|
56 50I

45 53
too late

5 50
47 48
56 49

II 56 50I
II 56 46,9
II 56 48,8

30 29
30 24

78

79

30 22
30 16

80

8ii

J. C.

'8 30 09
3 13 01
u 56 35
9 36 08

217 3i
u 56 35l

32 30

20 40
56 35
38 59
'4 13
56 36

33 7
20 04

56 35f
39 29

'3 43
56 36

34 42
i8 27

56 34?
41 39
1 1 32

56 35l

35 I7i
17 53
56 35?
42 2l|
10 51
5^ 36?

37 3'
15 39
56 35
..5 06
08 06
56 36

II 56 35
II 56 36

30 28
30 21

8o4

79*

30 21
30 16

78

82

I. c.

June
11 1

8 24 00
3 28 51
II 56 2Si

25 19
27 33
56 26

26 46
26 06
56 26

28 31
24 21
56 26

29 06
23 46
56 26

31 18
21 34
56 26

II 56 26 .

30 24
30 32

891

30 17
30 20

7^j

84

j. c.

Obfcrv&iioiU

[ +0* ]

Obfervations of equal Altitudes of the Sun for the Time, made with the Aflronomici;|

Quadrant. tj

Tim

1769

June

? 2

; per Clock
h ' n

7 39 46
4 12

II 56 14I
7 54 39
3 57 54f
11 56 i6|

of the S

r //

41 48

10 43

56 iSi

56 52

55 42

56 17

nil’s Limb

t //

42 12
10 18

56 15

57 17

55 17

56 17

pairing

/ /'

43 52
8 37
56 i4|
58 59
53 34
56 i6|

the Wirt

t n

44 24
8 6
56 15
59 32
53 02
56 17

:s at equal

/ //
46 29

6 I

56 IS
8 01 38

50 55
56 i6|

Altitudes.

Mean noon
per clock

II 56 IS
II s^ 16,8

Obferva

Baro.
30 22
30 l8

•

tory

Th.

8o|

81

side of
clock

Baro.

JO 1 2

30 15

the

rh.

7 si
82|

Remarks.

J.C.

h 3

7 36 43
4 15 17
11 56 00
7 46 20

4 5 40
II ^6 00

39 01
13 00
56 oo|
48 32I
3 28
56 oo|

39 25
12 35
56 00
48 57
3 05
56 01

41 03
10 57
56 00

50 38^

I 21
55 59i

41 37
10 26
56 oii
51 10
00 50
56 00

43 42
8 22
56 02
53 15
58 45

s6 0

I I ^6 OOy

II 56 00-,V

30 20
30 20

86i

36|

30 13
30 15

75

98

Note, the clol
was expofed
the fun from-
> or 10 o’clock;
the morning (
4 in the aft'
noon. J. C.

With flop
0 4

With flop

8 II 43
3 39 58
II 55

8 29 50
3 21 50
II 55 so

14 02
37 40
55 51
32 13

19 28

55 5°i

14 26
37 16
55 51
32 38
19 04
55 51

16 12

35 29
55 5oi
34 28

17 13

55 5°i

16 45

34 56
55 50§

35 02
16 39
55 50I

18 ;6
32 45
55 50I
37 i6f
late

II S5 5=>s
II 55 S°i

30 22
30 20

80

m

30 15
30 13

77i

86i

1

The obferva
ons of both 3
flerday and I
day are as gc
as can be mat
J.C.

3> 5

9 II 41
2 39 28
II 55 34l

14 15

36 53
55 34

14 45

36 22|

55 34?

16 47I
34 20
55 33l

17 16
33 52
55 34

19 47
31 21

55 34

// > to reduce
.1 journeyman
^ j clock to the
+ 7 J other clock.

II 55 38.1

30 19
30 17

83

80

30 14

30 15

83

84

C. G.

S 6

8 13 19
3 37 3*5
II 55 ^7f

16 I

44 57
55 29

17 48
33 10
55 29

18 22
32 37
55 29I

20 34:
30 26

55 30

II S5 29

30 18
30 14

79

81

30 16
30 10

80

88

C. G. ’

S 7

8 58 22
2 52 13
II 55 172

00 45

49 53
55 17!

901 12
49 24
55 *8

3 09
47 25
55 17

3 44
46 St
55 17?

6 10::
44 26;:
55 18::

II 55 17I

30 20

30 .17

85

82

30 18
30 16

83

86

C. G.

n 8

7 47 45-
4 02 34
II 55

49 57
00 20

55 8|

Cloudy
3 59 57

52

58 14
55 09?

52 36
57 41

55 o8|

54 40
Cloudy

II 55 09

JO 20
30 17

84

82

30 17
36 14

83

83

C. G,

9 9

9 50 00
I 59 49
II 54 54§

53 02
56 44

54 53

53 35
56 ; I

54 53

56 04

53 46

54 55

56 47

53 02

54 54f

59 48
SO 00
54 54

II 54 54

30 19
30 II

81

79

30 17

30 14

84

83!

C. G.

1

j

0 II

9 57 43
1 51 38

11 ^4 40i

^ Clout

ly in the

afternoon.

•

II 54 40I

30 24

74

30 20

74

C. G. !

i

1

VoLi LXI. F f f Obfervati,

o

[ 402 ]

Obfervatlons of equal Altitudes of the Sun for the Time, made with the Agrono-
mical Qt^rant.

Time per Clock of the Sun’s Limb paffing the Wires at equal Altitudes.

1769

h

r

//

/

\

//

/

//

/

//

r

//

f

//

Mean

noon

June

7

5^

56

55

33

55

36

S7

52:

P

er clock

7)

12

3

56

14

53

35

1 1

54

35

54

34

1 1

54

34.5

9

14

52

17

34

18

02

20

06

20

45

S

2

34

10

31

28

30

59

28

54

28

15

1 1

54

31

54

31

54

30 2

54

30

54

30

1 1

54

3oi

8

34

03

36

31

36

57

38

49

39

23

41

40

51

H

3

14

37

12

to

1 1

45

9

54

9

2 1

late

1 1

54

20

54

20|

54

2 1

54

2>i

54

22

1 1

54

21

8

•5

31

17

52

18

15

Cloudy

20

36

22

47

Cloudy

3 30

04

29

4'

27

52

Cloudy

25

07

h

17

53

58

53

58

53

57

[ I

S3

57.7

8

29

32

31

59

Cloudy

34

16

34

48

37

05

Cloudy

3 15

55:

«5

33”

13

40:

•3

06

late

53

57

53

58

53

57

1 1

53

57.3

9

13

48

16

32

16

59

19

04

19

42

22

»7

©

18

2

33

48

31

05

30

39

28

32

27

55

25

20

1 1

53

48

53

48i

53

49

53

48

53

48I

53

484

1 1

53

1

8

55

55

28

55

55

57

49

58

25

9 00

50

D

19

2

^4

30

5«

30

49

34

48

57

46

33

1 1

53

42I

53

42f

53

4if

53

41

53

41I

1 1

53

41,8

8

13

26

15

47

16

1 1

18

00

18

33

20

47

20

3

33

45

' 31

24

3>

00

29

1 1

28

38

26

25

35.6

1 1

53

3 5-5

53

j5 2

352

53

35^

53

3>2

53

36

II

53

7

49

01

51

»5

51

38

53

22

53

54

56

01

21

3

57

50

55

35

55

1 2

53

27

52

55

50

49

1 1

53

25I

53

25

53

25

53

24I

53

24I

53

25

1 1

S3

25

8

25

23

%

22

3

2 1

14

> Cloudy

in the afternoon.

1 1

53

i8i

1 1

53

i8|

7

57

50

8 00

07

.0

30

2

JS

2

49

4

58

h

M

3

48

10

45

54

45

3>

43

46

43

1 2

4>

01

1 1

53

00

53

00^

S3 oof

S3

004

53

oo4

53

014

1 1

53

ooi-

Obfervatory

Side of the

Remarks.

cJoclt

Baro.

Th.

Baro.

Th

Uj

0

K)

0

7S4

30 15

77

30 '7

8o| 30 12

82

C. G.

30 16

82

30 16

83

C. G.

30 16

81

30 10

80

30 16

82

30 12

87

C. G.

0

0

CO

71

30 04

70

30 lO

83

30 05

80

C. G.

30 26

78!

30 14

79

30 14

76

30 10

77

C. G.

30 >7

74

30 13

72

G

i P •

1

30 12

76

30 10

79

30 12

77

30 I 0

77

30 18

84

30 08

83

C. G.

^0 07

70

30 07

70

30 10

78

30 12

8n

C. G.

30 17

82

30 16

80

C. G.

30 16

80

30 I I

74

30 11

78

30 oS

82

C. G.

Obfervations

L

[ 403 ]

Obfervatlons of equal Altitudes of the Sun for the Time, made with the Agro-
nomical Quadrant.

Time f

1769

June

0 25

>er dock of

h f n
10 06 49
I 39 00

” 52

the Sun’

! n
10 12
3S 31
52 5'l

s Limb

r n

10 50
34 55

52 52I

paffing t
/ n

>3 35
32 10

52 52I

be Wire

t n

14 27

31 20
52 53f

3 at equt

r n

17 SO
27 53
52 5«4

il Altitudes.

Mean noon
per clock.

II 52 52I

Obferv

Baro.
30 18

atory

Th.

84

Side 0
clod

Baro.

30 15

f the

c.

Th.

81

Remarks.

C. G.

^ 27

9 27 17
2 17 S3
3S

30 10
13 01
52 35z

3^ 39
H 33
52 36

32 49
12 21

52 35

33 31
II 39

52 35

36 15

8 56

52 35I

If 52 357

30 14

30 07

78

78

30 13

30 10

78

80

C. G.

July

0 2

8 02 29

3 41 JO

“ 49t

j- Clout

3y in th<

afterno

on.

II 51 49f

30 iS

30 15

76

83

30 12
30 II

75

84

C. G.

> 3

^ o-j 13
2 36 10
II 51 4ji

9 S^
33 34
42f

10 19
33 06
5» 42§

12 21
31 02

51 41I

13 00
30 2^
5‘ 42I

15 3‘
27 52
51 4i|

II 41 42

30 18

30 14

82

81

30 II
30 II

82

86

C. G.

^ 4

7 33 21
4 09 43
II 51 32

35 33
7 31
51 32

35 SS

37 36
5 27
51 3i|

38 07

4 57
51 32

40 13
2 50
SI 31I:

II 51 3i»8

30 II
30 10

7'

84

30 11

30 13

70

84

C. G.

n 6

7 29 44
4 12 35
II 31 09I

31 57
10 24

5‘

32 19

10 03
51 11

34 01
8 19
51 10

II 51 io|

XO 2Z

30 18

72

78

30 13

30 17

71

80

C. G.

h 8

Took down the Clc
the Bob remair

icks^and
ted as at

Obfervj

Greenw

itory j the Pend
dch.

ulum vibratec

1° 55'

on

each S

de t

le Center,

F f f i

Account

[ 404 1

Account of »hc going of the Allronomical clock at King George’s Ifland,
deduced from the foregoing Obfervations.

Day of

Correfled

Clock

Clock

Inter-

the Month

noon per clock

Mean Time

flow for

lofes

val of

M

T.

•

1769

H.

M.

s.

H.

M,

s.

M.

S.

M. S.

Days

May

10

12

13

11
1 1
II

50

so

44,8

S^>3

36*7

I'l

1 1
11

56

55

55

2,8

59,7

59,0

4

5
5

18,0

»,4

22,3

0

0

0

43,4

20,9

22.7

2

I

I

J4

1 1

SO

13.7

1 1

55 58’7

5

45>o

f

?

*7

1 1

49

15,0

1 1

56

1,4

6

46,4

Q

^ >7*

I

18

11

48 56,4

1 1

56

3,4

7

7,0

1

21

23

1 1
1 1

48

47

3.0

29»4

1 1
1 1

56

12,5

21,4

8

8

9,5

52,0

0

0

42,5

20. C

2

I

24

1 1

47

i4»i

II

267b

9

12,5

0

18,7

I

25

II

47

I, I

1 1

56

32,3

9

31,2

0

2

27

1 1

46

28,1

II

56

45,2

10

17,1

0

14.. 6

I

28

29

II

II

46

46

20,7

6,3

1 1
1 1

56

57

52,4

0,2

10

10

3>,7

53,9

0

22>2

I

The clock

was

put forward

10'

57 •

0

19,0

I

June

30

31

1 1
1 1

56

56

52,5

39,0

1 1
1 1

57

57

8,4

i7,»

0

0

15,9

38,1

0

0

22,2

IQ»0

1

I

1

1 1

56

29,1

1 1

57

26,2

0

57,1

0

I q>6

1

2

1 1

5^

18,9

1 1

57

35-6

I

16,7

0

2C»C

I

3

4

1 1
1 1

S^

SS

3,2

53,3

1 1
1 1

57

57

45,4

55,6

1

2

42,2

2,3

0

0

20,1
2 ^0

1

I

5

1 1

5S

40,8

1 1

58

6,1

2

25,3

0

20,8

I

6

1 1

SS

30,9

1 1

58

17,0

2

46,1

0

22-^

I

7

1 1

SS

19,8

1 1

5«

28,2

3

8,4

0

7Q,2

1

8

1 1

Si

1 1,0

1 1

39,6

3

28,6

,*>

26,5

1

9

1 1

54

56,1

1 1

58

51,2

3

55,;

0

2

j I

1 1

54

42,3

1 1

59

14,9

4

32,6

0

18,7

1

12

1 1

54

35,8

1 1

59

27,1

4

51,5

0

16,4

1

*3

1 1

54

3>,8

1 1

59

39,5

5

7,7

0

22,2

I

14

1 1

54

22,1

1 1

59

52,0

5

29,9

I

2,0

3

*7

1 1

S3

58,1

0

0

30,0

6

31,9

0

22,0

I

18

1 1

S3

48,9

0

0

42,8

6

53,9

0

19,8

I

19

1 1

S3

42,0

0

0

55,7

7

•3,7

0

to, ?

I

20

1 1

S3

35,6

0

I

8,6

7

33,0

0

23,6

1

21

21

24

1 1
1 1
1 1

S3

S3

S3

24,8

18,2

0,0

0

0

0

I

I

I

21,4

34,2

59,6

7

8
8

56.6
16,0

59.6

e

0

0

19,4

43.6

20,q

1

2

I

25

1 1

52

51,7

0

2

12,2

9

20,5

0

2

27

1 1

52

34, J

0

2

37,1

10

3,0

I

45,6

5

Ju!y

2

1 1

51

47,5

0

3

36,1

1 1

48,6

0

18,9

I

3

1 1

5*

39,7

0

3

47,2

12

7.5

0

20. Q

1

4

1 1

51

29,6

0

3

58,0

12

28,4

0

42, c

2

6

1 1

5^

7,7

0

4

18,6

13

10,9

Daily
lofs of
clock

S.

20,9

22.7
20^5
20,6

20.8
21,2
20,5

18.7

22,9

14.6

22,2-

i9>o

IZyZ

19.0

19.6

20.1

23.0

20.8

22.3

20.2

26.5

18.7

18.7

16.4

22.2

20.7

22.0

19.8

19.3

23.6

*9.4

21.8

20.9
21,2
21, r

18.9

20.9
21,2

Hence the daily rate of the clock’s lofing on mean time, by a mean of
thefc 40 refults, is 20,8 feconds. By the firft and lall days obfervations
compared together, the clock loft 19' 49, "9 on mean time In 57 days,
which is at the rate of 20, "8 8 or 20,^9 per day. The fwing of the

pendulum

[ 40S ]

pendulum on each fide of the perpendicular during this time, varied
between i° 50' and l° 5 5'.

Remark. The fame clock, when fixed up at the Royal Obfervatory
at Greenwich, before the voyage, with the pendulum of the fame length,
got at the rate of 1' 45,8" per day, on mean time, between April 19 and
July 18, 1768. Therefore the force of gravity at Greenwich is to that
at King George’s Ifland, as 1000000 to 99707];. N. M.

Obfervations of meridian zenith diftances of the fun and fixed ftars for
finding the latitude of the Obfervatory.

Day of

Name of the

Meridian

Latitude

Mean

the month

objeft

zen. did.

South

1769

D.

M.

S.

D.

M.

S.

May

6

Sun’s lower limb

34

33

7

17

29

17

May

^7

Sun’s upper limb

38 39

10

17

27

52

May

28

Ditto

38 so

0

17

29

9

29

Ditto

38 59

G

1-7

29

2

30

Ditto

39

8

12

17

29

26

31

Ditto

39

16

21

17

29

1 1

June

"r

t

Ditto

40

3

32

17

29

29

8

Ditto

40

9

0

«7

28

42

'

9

Ditto

40

13

a

•7

27

51

//

10

Ditto

40

17

0

17

27

54

. 0

1 1

Ditto

40

21

0

17

27

21

S>i7

28

20

12

Ditto

40

26

0

28

42

13

Ditto

40

29

0

17

28

28

15

Ditto

40

34

0

n

28

14

17

Ditto>

40 36 30

17

27

10

18

Ditto

40

38

30

17

27

59

>9

Ditto

40

39

0

17

27

48

t

20

Ditto-

40

39

30

17

27

54

22

Ditto

40.39

30

17

28

27

25

Ditto

40 44 56

17

27

48

27

Ditto

40

30

0

17

27

33

'

June

21

37.

53

0

'7

30

29

«

22

» Arflurus

37

5°

0

17

27

29

’ 17

29

0

July

24

37

51

40

17

29

9

4

37

52

0

17

29

29

June

24

27

1 « Lyras

56

56

3

3

20

0

'7

17

29 53
29 33

]

17

29

43

June

24

28

■

• y Aquilae

27

27

00 0

17

17

28.

29

45

13

1

17

28

39

June

28

X

Aquilae

^5

44

30

17

28

20

17

28

20

June

28

0 Aquila;

23

19

0

17

28

30

17

28

30

June

24

28

]

« Cygni

61

61

56 0
^4 40

17

17

29 36
28 16

28 56

The

[ 4o6 ]

1'lie fup and foregoing ftars pafled the meridian to the North ; the
' following liars palled the meridian to the South above the pole.

Day of
the month

Name of the
objeft

Meridian
zen. dill.

Latitude

South

Mean

T769

D. M. S.

D. M. S.

a ! n

June 23

Fomalhaut

1 3 20 0

17 29 37

17 29 37

June 2;

.-e Crncis

4.4 20 0

17 28 44

28 44

June 23

y Cruois

38 19 0

17 29 50

17 29 50

June 21
23

j '/3 Crucis

40 54 30
40 54 45

17 30 56
17 30 21

j 17 30 28

June 22

1 a Centaurl

42 22 0

42 21 40

17 29 59
17 30 19

J 17 30 9

June 21
24

27

1 (3 Centauri

41 44 10
41 44 26

41 44,32

17 30 9
17 29 53
17 29 47

|i7 29 56

June z.

24

1 B Gruis

30 33 40
30 3.5 0

17 30 18
J7 28 r8

I 17 29 3«

June 23

B Hydri

61 r i 5

17 29 54

17 29 54

June 24
28

j « Pavonis

39 57 3^>
39 44

17 28 5

17 28 57

1 27 28 31

I

The mean of the lev’en mean refults from the fun and fix liars, to the
North, gives the latitude ry® 28' ^1" S. The mean of the nine re-
fults from the nine liars to the South, gives the latitude 17° 29' 38" S.
The mean of thefe two means is t7° 29' 15" S. which may be taken
for the latitude of the obfervatory.

N. B. Before any obfervations were made with the quadrant, the
line of collimation was adjulted, by means of a diftant objeft, by inverting
the quadrant.

Remark. It mull be confefled, that the refults of thefe obfervations
(moll of'which were made by Mr. Green) differ more from one another
than they ought to do, or than tliofe do made by ptlier obfervers, with
c]uadrants of the fame fixe, and made by the fame artill, the caufe of which,
if not owing to want of care and addrefs in the obferver, I don’t know
how to allign. N. M.

Lonar

C 407 ]

Lunar Obfervations for the Longitude.

Month

d

«

Time per
clock

Alt, or Z.D.
of 0 or ;jc

Alt. or Z.D.
of the S

Dilt.of S a.0
or J) and 4:

Whether
.41f.or Z.D.
and whatLimb

Error of
Quadrant

Apparent
Time cor.

Longitude
given .

Mean of
each days
fets

1769

April

D

30

16

h / n

22 17 30
22 18 46
22 27 54

0 ' //

49 34 00
31 10 00
52 16 40

0 / //

54 30 50
32 00 10
49 52 50

» / //

S7 31 30
26 40
23 55

0’s Alt. L.L.
D ’s Alt. U.L.

/ n j

]) an. 0— 2 30
5 — 5 30

h i n
22 23 40
37 24
46 24

0 / n

149 23 15
20 20
25 45

•j

0 / ff

23 ic|

May

Regains

$

9 52 57
10 02 34
10 12 57

27 29 40
24 58 20
22 34 20

79 54 00
77 5‘ 40

73 21 CO

’s N. L.
52 33 00
52 38 10
33 01 03

4: ’s Altitude
S ’s Alt. L.L.

4c ^ 2 00

•

lo 03 19
1 2 36

23 19

148 39 00

149 14 13

39

H9 17 3^1

Antares

$

x6

10 44 26

10 59 00

11 09 48

25 17 17
22 07 40
19 51 00

68 14 00
64 33 00
62 27 00

♦ F. L.

46 44 27
40 00

37 CO

’s Zen. Dili.
S ’s Alt. L.L.

4c’sZ.D.-}-2 00

to 54 48
11 09 22
II 20 10

H9 34 15
49 15

07 50

“I

'1?

M9 20 3c!i

^ R.egulus

*7

8 05 46
21 54
30 03

47 28 30
44 35 00
43 06 40

26 33 10
23 23 30
21 II 30

64 29 30

34 55
38 10

4c ’s Altitude
D’sZ.D.U.L.

4c ’s Alt. — 2 00

8 1621
22 20
40 38

H9 57 30
43 30
150 30 15

' '}

'50 03 43 3

1]) and 0
'?

26

21 28 51
42 29
55 34

38 22 00
40 31 20
42 25 40

26 35 10
24 03 30
21 03 40

100 37 03
30 45
24 40

G’s Alt. L.L
S ’s Alt. U.L.

O’s x41r. — 6 00
S ’s Alt.— 5 00

21 43 22

21 55 59

22 09 04

148 or 45
21 43
27 30

548 17 30, -ii

IS and 0
CG

28

22 24 35
29 51
39 >9
44 4^
51 33

43 50 00

46 24 00

47 21 op

47 52 20

48 22 20

32 16 30
31 06 00
28 37 20
27 40 40
26 08 20

75 25 3C
23 50

’20 10
18 20
15 4c

0’s Alt. L.L.
D’s Alt. U.L.

S — 4 00

S and 0 + I 00

t

22 38 30
43 46

53 14

5^ 43

23 03 28

149 52 00
30 00

4‘ 45
3c 30

21 50

/I

'1
‘‘ '!

149 33 09 '

Aquilse
. S

29

18 49 32

56 38

43 12 20
41 56 20

52 33 40
34 06 40

67 03 30
05 '26

4c ’s AFituce
J’s Alt. L.L.

S an i 4c -j- I 30
S ’s-Alt. — 4 00

18 32 44
59 50

'49 54 15
50 15

149 32 13d

and 0
D

29

22 10 57
18 03
25 28
30 46
35 53

42 36 20

43 36 20

44 29 00

45 lo 20
45 48 00

45 37 40
44 05 -40
42 32 20
41 28 50
40 28 20

62 31 50
20 20
27 40
25 20
23 50

O’s Alt. L.L.
S’sAit.U.L.

I) ’s Alt.— 4 00
]) and 0 + I 30

22 I 4 09
21 15
28 46
33 5S
59 05

1 30 03 1 5
149 36 30
28 1 3
42 30
34 30

■t ■

lit

149-41 24.;

1 June
p S and 0

p

1 2

4 18 53
28 1 2

37 56

13 36 00
II 37 00
9 39 50

42 32 20
40 36 40
38 24 00

III 32 30

31- ic
36 2C

O’s Alt. L- L.
1) ’bZ.D.U.L.

J ’s Alt. — 3 CO
D and O + i 30

4 24 17

33 5^
43 20

131 03 GO
130 19 30
1*8 2 0

150 33 4c p

P

13

3 17 21
22 54
29 43
44 3^
50 48

25 56 40
24 35 50
23 23 40
20 25 20
19 07 00

66 39 40
63 03 20
63 33 20
60 01 40
58 34 4c

122 20 .45
24 20
26 50
32 10
3i CO

O’s Alt. L.L.
D ’sZ.D.U.L.

,

3 22 53
28 23

35 M
50 08

36 20

!i48 43 30
149 35 20
2 2 2 0
08 13
29 00

l^

i.-

1 49 ‘ 5 4 if

5 . *■ Morul /,

[ 4o8 ]

Lunar Obfervatlons. for the

Longitude.

h ,, Month

, 1769

Spica

h

■ , k Fomalh.

I

I « Aquilae

’ h

'■.r

'■'I

I .!

Note. Every line of the Lunar Obfervadons is the mean of three, which we call a fet
iVe take three or five fuch lets at a time, and calculate the mean of each feparately. The
ground where all the Altitudes were taken, is 13 feet 6 inches above the horizontal level :
:he zenith diflances are all taken with the Aftronomical Quadrant. Thefe diftances of the
Moon from the Sun and fixt liars, were obferved with a brafs Hadley’s fextant, fitted with
;dge-bars, made by Mr. Kamfden.

>N

.TJ

Q

Time per
clock

Alt. or Z.D.
'4 0 or

Alt. or Z.D.
of the J)

Dift.of ]) a.0
or ]) and >}t

Whether
Alt. or Z. D.
and whatliimb

Error of
Quadrant

Apparent
rime cor.

Longitude

given

Mean of
each Days
Sets

h

t //

£> f

n

0

/

//

0

/ //

/

n

h

t

//

0

/

//

0 >

//

10

09 3+

47 59

40

14

26

40

55

33 20

4: ’s Altitude

4c ’s Alt. 4 ^

00

10

15

40

149

00

51

20 14

45 26

10

I 2

14

00

36 50

J ’sZ.D.U.L.

©and 4: 4 I

30

26

20

'7

30

<7

28 34

43 30

00

10

36

20

40 00

34

40

39

CO

149 18

55

* N. L.

13

27 30

46 46

00

68

20

00

63 08 20

4; ’s Zen. Did.

'3

3 3 46

.50

O!

IS

38 49

44 20

26

65 53

00

5 10

D ’s Alt. L.L.

P and 4: 4 I

30

45 05

26

00

iS

46 56

42 36

00

64

>5

20

3 30

1 2

10

15

150 12

30

*

F. L.

15

10 21

51 09

20

27

08

40

51

oi 00

’s Altitude

4e’s Alt. — 3

00

IS

17

26

150

15

30

20 04

49 5‘

40

25

24

40

3 03

I)’sZ.D.L.L.

P and 4c 4 >

30

27

09

149 52

00

24

27 32

48 22

40

24

02

00

4 47

34

57

46

00

149 57

50

21

46 12

38 41

20

30

49

20

79 45 3«

21

53

37

149

29

00

54 20

39 53

40

29

08

00

42 20

0 ’s Alt. L. L.

P’s Alt. — 3

00

22

01

45

34

IS

26

59 42

40 39

00

28

00

10

40 20

D’s Alt.U.L.

P and 041

30

07

07

23

15

22

4 03

41 12

20

27

05

00

38 10

1 1

28

33

30

7 4iJ

41 40

00

26

17

20

0

0

IS

13

10

IS

149 26

03

20

36 16

26 56

00

50

01

20

66

54 10

20

43

47

149 09

45

44 07

28 23

20

48 56

20

50 30

Alt* La. i-i.

P ’s Alt. — 3

00

51

38

43

00

37

50 3‘

29 31

40

48

00

40

49 20

p’s AU.U.L.

P and © 4 1

30

58

02

12

IS

55 3'

30 25

20

47

14 40

47 26

*

21

03

02

27

45

59 52

31 09 40

46 34 40

45 40

07

23

30

00

149 24

33

21

13 57

33 43

20

40

28

00

39

06 10

O’s Alt. L.L

21

21

44

149

52

30

1

. .

30

23 52

35 24

00

40 4; 40

02 07

p 'sZ.O.cent.

31

39

150

14 45

30 12

[36 2S

20

41

00

20

00 10

*

37

59

10

‘5

150 05 50

i

I

Mean of thefe Obfervadons gives
George’s Idand to be in Long.
149® 36' 38^' W. of Green-i
wich Obfervatory, at J ’s fort.

1!

Obfervatiopitf

[ 409 ]

Obfervations of the Eclipfcs of Jupiter’s Satellites, with refleding Tele-
fcopes of 2 Feet Focus, and the Longitude of the Obfervatory thence
deduced.

1769

Time

clock

jer

Apparent time

cor.

h

/

//

h ' K

May

10

10

02

30

i6 11 I

16

03

3C

Capt. Cook

16

12

I

12

10

27

55

10 37 6

10

28

05

Capt. Cook

10

37

16

27

1 1
1 1

44

44

04

05

II 57 39 '
Capt. Cook

II 57 40
pverv clear

1 1

47

15

12 00 51

44

1 1

48

08

Capt. Cook^

1 2

I

June

4

TO

41

19

10 45 31

10

41

28

Capt. Cook

10

45

40

7

02

45

7 08 19

7

02

45

Capt. Cook

7

8

16

18

27

21

14 33 36

H

28

09

Capt. Cook

14

34

24

20

8

55

15

9 I 43

2J

8

46

45

8 53 22

8

47

44

Capt. Cook

8

54

21

July

27

10

48

45

10 56 15

4

12

42

40

12 51 16

6

7

09

20

7 18 16

7

09

25

Capt. Cook

7

18

21

Phenomena and Sat.

Emerf. of the ifl; Sat.
Ditto

Second Satellite

Third ditto
Firft ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Second Satellite
Firft ditto
Ditto
Ditto

Time at Green,
per Naut. Aim.

Long. W. of Green,
in time

20 44 39

9 59 4

17 6 31

9 58 14

24 31 4*

9 57 41

19 0 2

9 58 19

20 ^3 43
22 47 33
17 16 05

9 57 28
9 56 17
9 57 47

Eclipfe of the Moon.

June 18 8

CO

5

8

24

M

00

II

52

30

1 1

58

44

1 1

52

10

1 1

58

24

II

55

37

12

I

48

11

55

10

12

I

21

Beginning of the eclipfe
End of the eclipfe
Ditto by Capt. Cook
The D clear of the penumbra
Ditto by Capt. Cook.

Mean of the feven obfervations of
the firft Satellite, rejefting thofe of
the loth and 12th of May, as too
near Jupiter’s oppofition to the Sun,
gives the longitude of Venus’s Fort
9*' 57' 50"= 149° 27' 30". Add
20" for the correftion of the times in
the nautical almanack, as found by
the obfervations of March 29 and
April 12, at Greenwich, the true
longitude will be 9** 58' 10"=
149° 32' 30".

Ggg

VoL. LXI.

Tranfit

[ 410 ] .

TranTit of Venus by Mr. Green, with a reflecting telefcope of 2 feet
focus, magnifying power 140 times.

Time per

clock

h / //

9 21 45

Light thus on the O’s limb, Tab, XIV. fig. 1,

22 00

Certain, fig. 2.

39 20

Firft internal contaCI-of ? ’s limb and the© fee fig-4.

40 00

Penumbra and 0 ’s limb in contaCl, fee fig. 5.

r Firft contaCl of penumbra, undulating, but the 1

3 °5

1 thread of light vifible and invifible alternately J

10 53

Second internal contaCl of the bodies

27 30

Second external contaCl

28 16

Total egrefs of penumbra, o’s limb perfeCl

App. time

J

une

2

21

25

40

21

25

55

21

43

15

21

43

55

June

3

3

14

3

3

14

51

3

31

28

3

32

14

Tranfit of Venus by Capt. Cook, with a reflecting telefcope of 2 feet focus,

and the magnifying power 140.

Time per
clock

h t n

•\

App. time
June 2

9 21 50

39 20

40 20

3 10 15

10 47

27-24
28 04

r The firft vifible appearance of ' ? on the G ’s
I limb, fee fig. i.

f Firft internal contaCt, or the limb of ? feemed
I to coincide with the g’s, fig. 2.

/ A fmall thread of light feen below the penum-
I bra, fig. 3.

f Second internal contaCt of the penumbra, or the 1
1 thread of light wholly broke J

/ Second internal contact of the bodies, and ap- |
I peared as in the firft J

Second external contaCl of the bodies
Total egrefs of penumbra, dubious

21 25 45

21 43 15

21 44 15
June 3
3 H 13

3 H 45

3 3^ 22
3 32 2

The firft appearance of Venus on the Sun, was certainly only the penumbra,
and the contaCl of the limbs did not happen till feveral feconds after, and then
it appeared as in fig. the 4th ; this appearance was obferved both by Mr. Green
and me; but the time it happened was not noted by either of us ; it ap-
7 peared

1.

I

!

C 4” ]

peared to be very difficult to judge precifely of the times that
the internal conta£ls of the body of Venus happened, by reafon
of the darknefs of the penumbra at the Sun’s limb, it being
there nearly, if not quite, as dark as the planet. At this time a
faint light, much weaker than the reft of the penumbra, appeared
to converge towards the point of contadi, hut did not quite
reach it, fee fig. 2. This was feen by myfelf and the two other
obfervers, and was of great affiftance to us in judging of the
time of the internal contadls of the dark body of Venus, with
the Sun’s limb. Fig. the 5th, is a reprefentation of the appearance
of Venus at the middle of the egrefs and ingrefs, for the very fame
phaenomenon was obferved at both : at the total ingrefs, the
thread of light made its appearance with an uncertainty of feve-
ral feconds ; I judged that the penumbra was in contact with
the Sun’s limb 10" fooner than the time fet down above ; in
like manner at the egrefs the thread of light was not broke off
or diminifhed at once, but gradually, with the fame uncertainty:
the time noted was when the thread of light was wholly broke
by the penumbra. At the total egrefs I found it difficult to
diftinguifli Venus’s limb from the penumbra; which of courfe
made the fecond external contadl a little doubtful, and the pre-
cife time that the penumbra left the Sun could not be obferved
to any great degree of certainty, at leaft by me. Some of the
other gentlemen, who were fent to obferve at different places,
faw at the ingrefs and egrefs the fame phaenomenon as we did j
though much lefs diftindt, which no doubt was owing to their
telefcopes being of a lefs magnifying power ; for the penumbra
was vifible through my telefcope during the whole Tranfit ; and
Dr. Solander, whofe telefcope magnified more than ours, faw it,

I have reafon to think, diftindter than either Mr. Green or my-
felf; though we both of us faw enough to convince our fenfes,
that fuch a phaenomenon did indifputably exift, and we had
a good opportunity to obferve it, for every wifhedTor favour-
able circumftance attended the whole of that day, without one
fingle impediment, excepting the heat, which was intolerable :
the thermometer which hung by the clock and was expofed to the
fun as we were, was one time as high as 119®. The breadth
of the penumbra appeared to me, to be nearly equal to f th of
Venus’s femidiameter.

G g g 2

Tranfit

[ ]

Tranfit of Venus by Dr. Solander, with a 9 feet refle£ting

tclefcope.

Timepei

clock

h ' >'
9 22 II

9 39 33
9 40 07
3 27 5^
3 28 15

Firft external contadt plainly convex, a
wavering haze feen fome feconds before
Ingrefs, light feen glimmering under Venus
? ’s free from the O ’s limb
? *s true limb out
g ’s atmofphere out

App. time

21 42 28
21 44 2

3 3* 49
3 32 13

Obfervations of the Tranfit of Venus, made by Mr. Charles
Green, with Dollond’s micrometer fitted to a refledling tele-
fcope of 2 feet focus.

June 2 1769.

In.

pts.

ver.

In.

pts.

ver.

0

10

24'

1

0

10

5 )

0

10

24

' Venus’s di-

0

10

/ Venus’s di-

0

10

24/

^ ameter mea-

0

10

42 I ameter mea-

0

15

^ fured off the

0

10

4 r fured on the

0

10

24

i fcale.

0

10

4 1 fcale.

0

10

24 1

0

10

5 \

0

10

24.

1

0

10

4 J

Meano IQ 24,14 Mean o 10 4,50

Half the difference of thefetwo means is + 9,82 ver. = + 8,4''
the correction of the adjuftment of the micrometer to be added
to all obfervations made on the fcale ; and half the fum of the
two means is 10 pts. 14,31 ver. zz 54,97" Venus’s apparent
diameter.

After the above meafurements of Venus’ diameter, I fixed my
telefcope on an equatoreal ftand, which was ferewed down to a
large calk filled with fand and water ; and by repeated trials a
day before, an objeCl (as the fun) would move on along the wire
a quarter of an hour without any fenfible difference. Thus
equipped, I took the following obfervations, a careful perfon
noting the time by the clock and another writing down. By re-
peated

[ 413 3

peated trials fome days before, I found the telefcope at diftimfl vifion, when it ftood at
O on the fcale j therefore I put it to this before I meafured Venus’s diameter.

I read them all off myfelf and faw each written down.

Time by
the clock

Apparent

time

Mcafure by
micrometer

D°,red.&cor.
in min. & fee.

H

M

s

H

M

s

In. pts.

V.

M

s

22

35

28

22

39

24

0

50

18

3

57-A

22

41

0

22

44

56

0

5°

15

0

0

S4»8

Difference of declination between the

22

45

34

22

49

30

0

SO

12

3

52.3

►North limb of Venus and the North limb

22

5° 54

22

54

50

0

50

20

3

59»i

of the Sun.

22

57 44

23

I

40

0

50

8

3

4«:8

J

Dilfance of the Eallern limbs of the Sun

23

6

47

23

10

43

I

75

2

12

37>7

and Venus in lines parallel to the equator;

23

II

5

23

15

1

I

75

18

12

51^4

,or rather the tranflation of Venus, in order

23

14 51

23

18

47

I

80

7

13

3’3

to produce an artificial internal contact with

the Sun to the Eafi.

23

18 36

23

22

32

2

35

19

17

8,5.

Diftance of the Weftern limbs of the Sun

23

23

21

23

27

17

2

30

i6

16

44,5

^and Venus in lines parallel to the equator.

23

25

49

23

29

45

2

30

0

16

30.8

J

23

31

9

23

35

6

0

55

24

4

23,8

Difference of declination between the

23

35

50

23

39

47

0

60

3

4

27,3

^Northern limbs of the Sun and Venus.

23

40

9i

23

44

6

0

60

5

4

29,0

23

45

2

23

48

59

3

75

12

27

0,5

Difference of declination between the

23

47

53

23

51

50

7

kJ

75

27

2,2

► South limb of the Sun and the North limb

23

50

0

23

53

57

0

0

75

7

26

56,2

J

of Venus.

1

I

I now took my telefcope from the equatoreal (land, and placed it on its own proper

ftand and took the following obfervations.

June 3

.

1769

0

2

10

0

6

7

0

80

3

5

52,7

Neareft diff. of G ’s

N.

limb

from

? ’s

S.

limb

0

7

53

0

1 1

5°

0

0

75

2

26

51,9

Greateft difi. of G ’

s S,

limb

from

? ’s

N.

limb

0

1 1

42

0

IS

39

0

80

2

5

51,8

Neareft difi. of G ’s

N.

limb

from

? ’

s S.

limb

0

14

17

0

18

14

3

75

3

2b

52,8

Greateft dift. of G ’

s S.

limb

from

¥ ’s

N.

limb

0

18

19

0

22

16

0

80

0

5

50,1

Neareft dift. of Q’t

N.

limb

from

¥

s.

limb

0

20

14

0

24

1 1

3

70

16

26

42,5

Greateft dift. of O’i

;S 1

imb from

¥ ’s

N.

limb

0

23

13

0

27

10

0

80

t

5

5S>2

Neareft dift. of G ’s

N.

limb

from

¥

S.

limb

0

25

281

0

29

25

3

70

18

26

44-2

Greateft dift. of G ’

sS.

limb

from

¥ ’s

N.

liub

0

27

37

0

31

34

0

80

5

5

54,4

Neareft dift. of G ’s

N.

limb

from

¥ ’

s S.

limb

T

me

[ 4H ]

Time by
the clock

1 Apparent
time

Mcafure by
micrometer

D°.red,&cor.
in min. & fee.

H

M

s

H

M

S

In. pts

. V.

M

s

0

29

35

0

33

32

3

70

20

26

45»9

0

34

18

0

38

*5

0

80

5

5

54'4

0

36

59

0

40

56

3

70

19

26

45,1

0

38

c* oX
502

0

42

50

0

80

3

5

52t7

0

40

37

0

44

34

3

70

24

26

49’3

0

42

19

0

46

16

0

80

4

5

53’5

0

44

34

0

48

32

3

70

23

26

48,5

0

46

12

0

50

9

3

75

0

26

50,2

0

48

1 1

0

52

8

0

80

0

5

50,1

0

58

'3

I

2

10

0

75

25

5

4I>6

1

0

55

I

4

52

3

75

10

26

58,8 '

I

3

4

I

7

I

0

75

9

5

36>5

1

5

51

1

9

48

3

75

25

27

3,0

I

«

2l|

1

12

19

0

75

2

5

3°»5

I

10

47

I

14

44

3

75

21

27

8,2

f

12

34

I

16

3*

0

70

21

5

25t4

1

^5

57

t

^9

54

3

80

8

27

18,3 <

I

»7

12

I

21

c

j

0

70

16

5

21, J

1

19

34i

I

23

32

0

70

15

5

20,2

At the

* - O '' I ~ j

aft obfervation 1 looked at

Greateft dift. of 0 ’s S. limb from ? ’s N. limb

1 0. iimotrom ¥ s iimo
N, limb from ? ’s S. limb

was 1 1 3 degrees high.

, I meafurcd the following horizontal diameters of the

With my lelefcope as before
Sun and Venus.

■ 4 35 24
4 35 24
4 40 o
4 40 o
4 35 24
4 35 24
4 40 o

The Sun’s horizontal diameter.

Mean 4 35 24,43 31 27,4

0 10 24 *1

0 10 3

0 10 23I

Venus’s diame- 0 lO 4

Venus’s diame-

0

0

^ tir meafured off O 10 4 |

- ter meafurcd on

4*
0 0

I.H M

0 0

the fcale. 0 10 5 j

0 10 6 '

0 lO 3

the fcale.

Mean o lo 24

Mean o 10 4,16

Half

C 4*5 ]

Half the difference of thefe two means, is -f 9,92 vern. = -|-8,5" the correction of the
adjuftment of the micrometer, which only differs -rVth of a fecond from what was found by
the meafures of Venus’s diameter before. Half the fum of the two means is 10 14,08 =
54,77" Venus’s apparent diameter, which was found before C4,97". The mean of the two
refults is 54,87" or 54,9".

After the laft meafurements of the Sun and Venus’s diameters, I replaced my telefcope on
the equatoreal ftand, and took the following obfervations.

lime by

Apparpnt

Meafure by

D®. red. & cor.

the clock

time

micrometer

in min, & fee.

H M S

H M S

In. pts. V.

M S

1 59 37

2 3 35

0 85 2I|

6 29,9

Dift. of W. L. ofO and ? in lines paral). to the equat.

2 6 32

2 10 30 3 45 0

24 42,0

Dift. of E. L. of 0 and ? in lines parallel to the equat.

2 lO 44

2 14 42'o 05 10

7 2,8

Diff. of declin. of N. L. of 0 and $

2 14 30

2 18 28

3 25 4

23 20.0

Diff. of declin. -of S. L. of 0 and ?

2 17 55

2 21 53

10 2

7 ^7»3

Diff. of declin. of N. L. of 0 and $

2215

2 25 3 3 25 I

23 i7’5

Diff. of declin. of S. L. of G and ?

2 24 7

2 28 50 75 20

5 45.9

Dift. of W. L. of 0 and $ in lines par. to the equat.

2 27 54

2 3* 52.'3 65 0

26 7,4

Dift. of E. L. of 0 and ? in lines par. to the equat.

Here follows the Table of the value of the fcale of the objeCl glafs micrometer, wliich
was delivered in by Mr. Short, together with the telefcope, by which the reduCfions of the
foregoing obfervations were made.

Table for the objeCt glafs micrometer j the focal length of which objeCl glafs is =
482,867 inches.

Inches

Correfponding
angle in
min. and fee.

Dec. of
an inch

Angle in
min. and fee.

Parti of
the ver.

Angle in
feconds

/ //

/

//

n

1

' 7 7.2

>05

0

21,4

I

0,9

2

H *4>3

,10

0

42,7

2

*./

3

21 21,4

.15

I

4.1

3

2,6

4

00

00

"0

,20,

I

25.4

4

3.4

5

00

to

to

I

46,8

5

4.3

.30

2

8,1

6

.35

2

29.5

7

6,0

,40

2

50.9

8

6,8

.45

3

12,2

9

7.7

>50

3

33.6

10

8,6

.55

3

54.9

1 1

9.4

,00

4

16,3

12

10,3

.65

4

37.6

13

1 1,>

.70

4

59.0

•4

12,0

.7 5

5

20,4

1 5

12,8

,«o

5

41.7

10

•I 3,1

.85

6

3.1

17

14.5

,90

6

24.4

1 8

15.4

.95

6

45.8

19

16,3

20

17. t

2 1

18,0

22

18,8

23

‘9.7

24

2^.5

Obfervations

[ 4i6 ]

-Obfervations on the Tranfit of Venus, June 3, 1769, by Dol-
lond’s micrometer fitted to a reflecting telefcope of 18 inches
focus, by Capt. James Cook,

Venus’s diameter, foon after the ingrcfs.

OIF thefcale

On thefcale

In. Dec. Ver.
O 10 4
o 10 3
o 10 4
o 10 4

o 10 3I

In. Dec. Ver.

o 10 4
o 10 6
o 10 6

O lO 5

o 10 si

By thefe meafurements the correc-
^ tion of adjuftment of the micrometer
— o| of a divifion of the vernier, and
? ’s diameter 10 d. 4§ v. = 56,8.

June 2

Time per Gl.

b /

23

23

23

23

I

46

8

36

lO

. H ^

23 24 36

23 26 38
.23 29 38
23 31 54

Appar. Time

In. D. V.

M S

h ! /

23 6 57

3 20 20

28 6,6

23 10 42

3 20 18

28 4,6

23 14 4

3 20 IS

28 1,4

23 18 32

3 20 10

27 56,2

23 28 32

0 55 23

5 8,8

23 30 35

0 60 3

5 14,0

23 33 35

0 60 4

5 i5»i

23 35 5»

0 60 9

5 20,3

Greateft diflajice of f
and O in outer contadl.

Leafl: diflance of ? and
O in outer contact.

OflF the fcale

Venus’s diameter June 3.
On the fcale

In. D. V.

o 10 2

1

2
2

In. D.
O 10

V.

By thefe meafurements the cor-
redlion of adjuftment is — 25 and
Venus’s diameter 0 10 4 =
56,"28.

Mean o lo i|

o 10 6|

The Sun’s horizontal diameter at 0'' 22'.

In. D. V.

2 60 18

16

'9

17

The

C 417 3

The Sun’s horizontal diameter at o'* aa'.

la. D. V.

16

17

20

18

17

20

21

In. D. V.

Mean 3 60 18 From which fubtra£l 2| leaves 3 60 15I

Time per

Cl.

App. Time

Meafure by
micrometer

D°. red. and
corrected

h

t

//

b

/

In.

D,

V.

M

s

1

4

29

I

8

26

3

10

li

^■7

7

17

I

II

14

10

18

27

ii^S

8

33

I

12

30

3

10

23

27

16,3

1

14

16

I

18

*3

0

60

IS

5

25,1

15

45

I

19

42

0

60

IS

5

2S’I

16

55

1

20

52

0

60

9

5

18,8

I

25

25

I

29

22

3

'5

18

27

37>2

I

27

29

I

31

26

0

55

18

5

2,3

1

32

15

I

36

13

3

20

I

27

45G

1

34

12

I

38

10

0

55

4

47^7

1

5

1

40

3

3

20

10

27

54.9

I

38

19

I

42

17

0

55

0

4

43’5

I

40

5

I

44

3

3

20

IS

28

0,1

1

41

48

I

45

46

0

50

21

4

39.4

I

43

24

1

47

22

3

20

22

28

7.4

I

46

c

I

49

58

0

50

IS

4

33’i

The Sun’s diameter at

2 60 18

18

1

1

Grealeft diftance of ?
and O in outer contadf.

Leaft diftance of $ and
O in outer contadt.

Greateft dift.
Leaft diftance
Greateft dift.
Leaft diftance
Greateft dift.
Leaft diftance
Greateft dift.
Leaft diftance
Greateft dift.
Leaft diftance

of the limbs
of the Sun
>and Venus
meafured ex-
ternally.

2^ I o'.

i6|

17

17

20

16

Mean 3 60 i7| from which fubtradl 3I leaves 3 60 13I

VoL, Lxr

H h h

Vcni's’i

[ 418 ]

Venus's diameter.

0 10 2

0 10 8

5 24

6

S 24

8

10 0

8

0

0

0

0 10 7|

By thefe meafurements, the corre£lion of
adjuftment of the micrometer, is — 3I and
Venus’s diameter 10 D. 3I V.:=^6",o2.

The mean of the three feparate dcdu<5tions of Venus’s obferved
diameter, is 56", 4.

A T ABLE for reducing the foregoing obfervations deduced from the
meafures of the Sun’s horizontal diameter, fuppofed =31^ 3*^^*

lacbet

Angle

Decimals

Angle

of an In.

9 99

M S

I

00

.05

0 26,1

2

17 22,2

,ro

0 52,1

3

26 3,3

I 18,2

,20

I 44,2

j25

2 10,3

j3o

2 36.3

»3S

3 2,4

,40

3 28,5

j4S

3 54.5

4 20,6

»SS

4 46,6

,60

5 12,7

5 38.7

j7o

6 4,8

»75

6 30,8

,80

6 56,9

.85

7 22,9

,90

7 49.0

•

>95

8 15,1

1,00

8 41,1

Div. of
Vern.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

*3

H

15

16

*7

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Angle

s

i»o

2.1

3.1

4.2

5.2

6.2

7.3

8.3

9.4

10.4

*1.5

12.5

13.5

14.6

15.6

16.7

17.7

18.8

19.8

20.8

21.9

22.9

24.0

25.0

26.1

N. B. The obfervations made by Mr. Green with DoIIond's
micrometer, particularly thofe concerning the difference of decli-
nation of Venus and the Sun’s limbs, and the diftances of Venus
from the Sun’s limb in lines parallel to the equator, will be better
underftood by confulting a paper intiticd Dire£lions for obferv-
ing the Difterences of Declination &c. with DoIIond’s Microme-
ter, by N. Maflcelyne, Aftronomer Royal, a copy of which was
given to Mr, Green, before his departure from England ; which
will appear in this volume, Obferva-

7

[ 4»9 ]

Obfervatlons on the Dipping Needle.

Time when

Place where.

Dip of the North
or South pOiUt

1768

Sept. 13

In Funchal Bay, dip of N. end of needle

0 /

77 ..

Oilober 23

Crofting the line in long. 30° 18' W. ofGr;enwIch

26 to 28 N. point

1769

January 10

At fea in lat. 52° 54' S. and long. 63° 10' W.

63 S. point

20

Good Succefs Bay in Straits Le Maire

68 51 Ditto

24

On board the fhip at anchor in the above bay

65 CO Ditto

30

At fea in lat. 60° 04' S. long. 74° 10' W.

65 17 Ditto

March 3

Ditto, ditto, 36 49 S. ditto iii 54 W.

65 52 Ditto

13

Ditto, ditto, 30 46 S. ditto 125 28 W.

64 25 Ditto

April 5

Ditto, ditto, 18 25 S. ditto 140 5^

30 00 Ditto

N. B. Each of the above Obfervations is the mean of ten, twelve, or more ;
with the face of the inftrument turned alternately Eaft and Weft : thofe made at Tea
are a little dubious on account of the motion of the fiiip ; but, by means of a
fwinging table we had made to fet the compafs upon, we could, in a tolerable
fmooth Tea, be certain of the dip to a degree, or at the moil two, by taking the
mean of a great number of trials.

1769

May 30

George’s Illand

26 South point Face Eaft

Weft

40

Eaft

Weft

29

29

30 10

31 45
31 00
31 00

30

30 40
30 18
30 2^
30 21

30 40

31 00
30 42

30 45

31 30
31 50

30 16
30 16

30 48

31 45

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Mean 3° 43

H h h ;;

Obfcrrationt

[ 420 ]

j77<5 January ig, in Queen Charlotte’s Sound, lat. 4.1® 5' S. long. 184
3^ W. The dip of the South end of the needle 54° 40'.

Obfervations on the Dipping Needle.

O

t

May I
Botany Bay
Lat. 34 00 S.
Long. 208 37 W.

67 20
66 40

66 5^

67 08

South Point Face

Eaft

Weft

Eaft

Weft

Mean 67 or

July 18

Endeavour River
Lat. 15 26 S.
Long. 214 48 W.

36 K

South Point Face Weft

40

Eaft

06

Weft

35 14

Eaft

35 14

Weft

36 00

Eaft

00

Weft

Day of
the month

1769

June 4
6

9

10

12

*7

18

19

20

Mean 36 o

James Cook.

Obfervations on the Tides at K. Georges Ifland.

Time of low
water

Time of high
water

Height
of tides

The moon pafTes The moon paffe*
the inerid. above the merid. below
the horizon | the horizon

H

M

H

M

Inches

H

M

H

M

6

0 A. M.

Noon

0

36 P.

M.

6

0 A. M

Noon

I

40

P.

M.

7

30 A. M.

2

40

P.

M.

8

0 A. M.

1

43 P. M.

9

3

34

P.

M.

8

41 A. M.

2

10 P. M.

Si

4

25

P.

M.

8

42 A. M.

3

1 5 P. M.

95

1 2

P.

M.

-

4

0 P.M.

Si

5 57

P.

M.

5

oP.M.

7

23

P.

M.

7

41 A. M.

8

^9

A. M.

8

40 A. M.

I

16 P.M.

9i

10

30

A. M.

8

50 A. M.

1 1

40 A.M.

1 0

1 1

38

A. M.

8

10 A. M.

0

15 P.M.

9

0

^7

A. M.

8

0 A. M.

0

30 P. M.

'

w

atcr ftands

water ftands

at

f inches

at

14 inches

1 ^

I

26

P. M.

fOn mark

on

mark

Obfervations

[ 421 ]

Obfervaiions on the Tides at K. George’s Wand.

Day of
the month

Time of low
water

Time of high
water

height
af tides

The moon paffesj
he merid. above
the horizon

The moon pafles
the merid. below
the horizon

1769

H M

H M

Inches

H M

H M

June 21

7 30 A. M.

water at 5 in.

2 4 P. M.

22

8 30 A. M.

water at 5 in

2 50 P. M.

^5

10 15A.M.

5 8 P. M.

27

7 0 A. M.

I2|

6 19 A. M.

28

8 0 A. M.

•3

7 II A. M.

July 2

6 30 A. M.

Noon

II 13 A. M.

3

6 30 A. M.

0 30 P. M.

1

water at

water at

f*

0 15 P. M.

3 inches

I 3 inches

4

7 15 A.M.

I 0 P. M

]

water at

water at

r

I 13 P. M.

3 inches

13 inches

5

7 30 A. M.

2 7-P. M.

water at

3 inches

Hence the mean height of the fides is about lo inches, and the greateft
height fcarcely exceeds one foot, in the middle of this wide-extended
ocean ; which falls far Ihort of what might have been expeded from phy-
fical principles. The caufe of this remarkable differenee deferves farther
inquiry. The time of high water alfo appears to precede the moon’s
pairing the meridian by 45 minutes at a medium, and the time of low
water to precede the fame, by 6*' 31'. But the mean difference of high
and low water, Ihould be 6'’ 12', which fubtraded from b** 31’, leaves
o'’ 19^ by which the time of high water fliould precede the moon’s
pairing the meridian ; the mean of this and o'* 45' is 32', by which the
time of high water precedes the moon’s palling the meridian, by a
medium of all the obfervations. The times of high and and low water
feern to be fubjed to great irregularity on particular days ; no dou-bt
owing to the fmall rife of the water, and the fmallnefs of its force in
confequence, which renders it more liable to be difturbed by the adion
of the winds and other caufes ; part of the irregularity may be attributed
to the difficulty ot obfervmg the time of the liocd or ebb, with any
degree of certaimy. N. M.

N. B. The llland here named King George’s Wand, is called by the
natives Ota-hcite, by which name it wiil henceforth be calkd, the name
of K. (leorge’s Wand having been given before to another ifland in lar.
148. difcovered by Commodoie Byron.

Mr. Green ha-ing died at fea in the palTage home from Batavia,
all the altronpmical and other obfervations were partly arranged by Capr.
Cock, and partly ty the Aftronomer Koyal, from the original manufeript-,
and calculated by the latter. Real

6'

C +22 ]

Read November 21, 1771#

KLIV, V ariationof the Compafs^ as obferved on hoard
the Endeavour Bark^ in a V oyage round the W irld.
Commtmkated by Lieut, James Cook, Cotn?7tander
of the faid BarL ^

N. B. TH‘E day of the month is noted according to the nautical account,
which therefore in all the oblervations noted P. M. is one day for-
warder than the civil account. I'he latitude in is deduced from
the laft preceding meridian altitude of the fun ; and the longitude
in is corrected by the laft obfervations of the diftances of the
moon from the fun and ftars.

Time 1 Lat. in

' 1768

Auguft 8
September 5

6

7

P

A

M. 1

..M. J

P. M. 1
A.M. J

9

ic

II

20

22

North

Long, in

Variation

Weft

Weft from
Greenwich
lannel

Englifli C
C. Fineftre S. by |
W. 6 leagues

42
40 29

37 4
36 46

35 40
34 58

34 20

9

xo

1 1
1 1

^3

'3

50W
1 1
34

58

4

50

How found I Means

14 20

Funchal ifland of Madeira
32 33 33h<5 49

Funchal idand of Madeira
N. 76 E. dirt. 19 leag.

Salvages S. dirt. 9 or 10 leag.

pr. Azimuths

Azimuths
Azimuths
Azimuths
Azimuths
Amplitudes
Azimuths 1
& Amplitudes J
pr. Azim. & 1

pr. Amplitudes J

pr

pr

pr,

pr

pr

pr,

pr. Azimuths

pr, A:^imuths

23 o W,

18 42

21 40
21 4

19 50

21 19

20 39
18 32

17 27

15 30

16 30

17 50

Remarks

From the Downs
to Madeira

Thefe are taken
from Dr. Hebrr-
den, F. R. S. who
rcfidcd upon the
illand.

Time

Time

Lat

in

Lon. In

1768

North

Weft

September

0

f

23

29 40

15

30

P. M. Do.

A.

M.

29

7

15

50

24

P. M. 1

Pico Teneriff N. i8 E
Diftance 140 miles

24

A. M.^

z6

50

17

12

25

P. M.

25

20

18

50

28

J A.M.

20 56

20

40

1 P.M.

19

33

20

50

29

<

P. M.

Ddfober

18

38

21

0

I

jP.M.

15

40

22

0

lAM.

14

35

22

8

by another Compafs

3

12

24

22

22

5

P. M.

1 1

53

22

0

6

A.M.

9

45

22

20

8

r P. M.

9

42

22

19

1 A.M.

8

46

22

4

r P.M.

8

12

22

4

9

1A.M.

8

6

22

*3

10

P. M.

7

48

22

13

^3

P. M.

7

13

22

33

lb

P. M.

6

50

23

46

21

3

4

26

30

22

A. M.

2

0

27

55

25

P. M.

0

55

28

55

C 423 ]

Variation

How found Means

{

pr. Amplitudes
pr. Azimuths
1 pr. Azimuths
J pr. Amplitudes
Ditto
pr. Amplitudes
pr. Sev. Azim.

Ditto
pr. Azimuths

Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Amplitudes

J

}

pr. Azimuths
pr. Amp. 5 59
pr. S. Az. 6 21
Ditto

Ditto 8 12

7 47
Ditto 8 22

8 20

pr. Amplitudes
7 48
pr. Sev. Azim.
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto

Amplitudes '

3 ^3

pr. Azimuths

3 21 .
pr. Am. 2 16 ■
pr. Azimuihs

Ditto 2 33 1

^7

17

17

18
16
16

15

14

'S

12

12

12

10

10

1 1
8

30 W.
00

15
30
30

43
46

58

I

46
43
33

37
o
40

49

6 10

8 Si

9 o
8 o

8 2I|

7 48

8 39
8 54
8 40
4 i

3 17

2 24I

Remarks

Found by taking
the 0’s Azim. at
/equal Altitudes,
before and after-
*' noon.

Paffage to Rio de
Janeiro.

Towards Ri»
Janeiro.

Ttlne

[ 42+ ]

Variation

Time

Lat. in

lion. in

1

How found j

Means

1768

Odober

0 /

0 /

0 /

South

Weft

27 A. M.

2 3

31 0

Ditto

2 48 W.

29 P. M.

3 59

32 30

Ditto

2 25

30 P. M.

5 46

32 48

pr. Sev. Azim.

I 31

31 P. M.

7 30

33 4

Ditto

0 *5

November

r P.M.l

9 22

33

Ditto

0 58

Ha.m.j

Ditto

0 18

2 P. M.

10 3

33 0

Ditto

0 34 E.

3 P*

12 27

33 0

Ditto

0 47

4 P, M.

15 25

33 40

Ditto

I 23

7 P. M.

18 30

36 10

Ditto

4 41

J P. M.
^ lA.M.

20 4

37 ^8

Ditto

5 26

21 16

37 50

Ditto

7 52

J2 P. M.

Cape Forio W.N.W.

dift. leagues

6 40

13 P. M.

f Entrance Rio de Janeiro 1

1 W.N.

W. dift. 5 leagues J

7 34

December

^ fP. M.

25 44

41 4

pr. Amplitudes

8 40

1 A. M.

26 0

41 20

pr. Sev. Azim.

8 23

J3 P. M.

26 34

41 33

Ditto

8 23

16 P. M.

30 20

41 49

Ditto

9 3^

18 P. M.

32 30

42 48

Ditto

II 3

19 P. M.

32 54

43 38

Amplitudes

II 3

20 P. M.

34 34

f5 38

pr. Sev. Azim.

13 44

f P. M.
22<l

36 50

48 32

[ Azim. 15 I '1
\Amp. 15 I >

15 I

LA.M

37 8

49 I

pr. Amplitude J

16 I

f P. M.

37 8

49 0

rpr.Az.i c24't
Amp. 16 5 J

15 45

1 A. M.

36 46

49 2

pr. Amplitude
pr. D®. 16 I2'|

15 30

29 P. M.

41 40

5^ 25

pr. Azimuth >

16 22

t6 32J

pr. D°. 18 44^

18 36

31 P. M.

42 40

60 25

pr. Amplitude ?

1 18 22J

Remarks

}In foundings off
the coaft of
Brazil.

PafTage to Terra dell
Fuego.

In foundings off the
coaft of South A-
mcrica.

Time

[ 425 ]

I ime

iy6g

January

5 P-M.

9 P. M.

10 P. M.

1 1 A. Al.

2! A.M.
22 A. M.

24

25 A. M.

28 P. M.
30 P. M.
February
1 P. M.
3 P- M.
13 P. M.

f P. M.

*51 A M.

Lat. ill

South

48 42

51 30

52 40

54 o

Lon. in

Weft
60 51

63 30

6jj 20
67 30

Variation

How found I Mean

}

57 o

60 10

59 23

58 30

49 ^3
48 56

48 10

21

A’.

M.

44

39

23

P.

M.

39

43

27

A.

M.

39

43

March

4

P.

M.

36

49

8

P.

M.

37

8

9

P.

M.

37

24

10

P.

M.

35

30

1 1

Ditto

34

0

12

Ditto

32

40-

M.

3*

20

23

1 A

M.

30

56

pr. Am. 20 o
'Amp. 20 9
pr. Several Az. ■
Ditto
Ditto

10 leag. from Terra del Feugo J
Strait le Mare Ditto

65 45|per Several Az.
Near fome ifle
on the coaft of
Tertadel Feugo
E. of C. Horne..

56 7

55 40

55 40

•ditto

20 4fE

22

21

24

57

23 30

24

25

21

9

4

69 o
74 26

i

76 45
80 58
89 36

91 27

92 o
103 o
• 05 5^

no 2^

III 54

1 16 8

117 41
119 30
121

123

124 40
123 20

pr.

everal Az.
Ditto

Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
pr. Amp. 2
pr.Azim.2 24

>7}

24 J

Ditto 2
Amp. 2 46J
pr. Several Az.
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto

Amplitudes
pr. Azimuths

21 i6

22

27

24

24

17
12
a I
6
5

o

9

53

4

o

o

o

3®

34

20

I '

z

2 26

13

41

42

I2

23

20

O

HetnaUcs

■ Here the varia-
tion feems to be
afFedled by the
land, as thele ob-
fervations were
well nude.

Paflage from Cape
Horne to Ota-hicee.

( Mean rcfult of
I .many.azim.ihefea
b calm and fmooth.

f Pafrage from Cap4
■j Horne to Ota*
t hitee

VoL. LXI.

li i

1 ime

\

Time

Lat. in

Lon. in

1769

March

0 /

0 f

icJ

rp. M.

South

30 30

126 0

*51

LA. M.

29 36

126 50

i6-

[P. M.

29 32

126 48

La. m._

29 28

127 4

17

P. M.

29 10

127 16

19

A. M.

27 40

129 20

21

A. M.

25 21

129 28

3 2'

Ditto

25 21

129 32

28

P. M .

21 14

127 38

29

P. M.

20 29

127 44

3^

P. M.

19 30

129 lO

April
I P. M.

19 7

131 40

J

r p. M.

18 46

138 0

+ 1

L A. M.,

18 36

139 .10

P.- M.

18 36

139 40

8

P. M.

17 48

143 50

9

P. M.

17 36

14s 30

10

P. M.

17 42

146 i'6

1 1

P. M.

18 0

147 59

Auguft

17 29

149 30

10

A. M.,

17 15

151 41

13

Ditto

21 20

151 15

^5

P. M.

22 8

1-50 55

A. M.

23 37

150 37

.8]

r p. M.

26 10

149 46

lA. m.

26 30

Ditto

23

P. M.

30 43

148 0

24

A. M.

32 40

147 14

27

Uitto

33 8

H7 25

30

Ditto

38 3

147 6

September
5 P- M.

38 29

145 32

*3

Ditto

33 0

153

[ 426 ]

Variation '

Remarks

How found

Means

pr. Azimuths

0 r

3 45 E.

r

Ditto

3 22

pr. 21 Azimuths

I 30

Ditto

2 18

1

Ditto

3 27

Ditto

3 H

Amplit. 3 o\
pr. Azim.3 43/

3 2i|

Azimuth

3-10

Amplitudes

3 56

1

pr. Several Az.

2 27

Ditto

2 25

Ditto

2 32

Ditto

2 54

Ditto

2 54

Amplitude
Several Azim.

3 30
6 32
4. 54

Ditto

Ditto

5 41

' On fliore at Fort’

Ditto

6 30
4 45l

Venus by four of

Meridian line

<

Ur.Knight’scom-
pafles, which

pr. Several Az.

5 50

appeared to be alli

Ditto

? 40

good.

Amplitude

5 37

From the Society
Hies to New Zeland.-

Ditto

6 7

Ditto

8 8

Ditto

7 58

f

Azimuths

7 30

Ditto

7 ^8

Ditto

6 40

Ditto

7 9

Ditto

7 0

Ditto

8 8

Time

[ 427 ]

Time

Lat. in

1769

September

e /

South

JP. M.

29 0

*9 lA. M.

29 0

25. P. M.

33 30

October

3 P.M.

36 50

4 P. M.

37 6

Jp.M.

38 33

Ia.m.

39 0

7 P. M.

39 11

15 P. M.

39 37

17 A. M.

40 0

November

9

36 48

25

35 50

26

35 15

28

35 0

December

8

34 42

10 P. M.

34 40

1 1 P. M.

34 40

25 A. M.

34 0

1770

January

6 A. M,

35 8

JP. M.

38 12

^ 1 A. M.

39 0

14 P. M.

39 40

I ^ A. ivi .

40 30

February

II A. M.

41 0

12 P. Ad .

41 26

14 Ditto

42 8

Variation

Lan. in

How found Means

a ’

159 4'z

159 25

163 40

pr. Amplitudes
pr. Sev. Azim,
Ditto

8 36 E.
8 29
10 48

173 46

174 46

179 o

180 o

180 30

182 30
182 o

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto 12 50 1
Amplit. 12 48 J
I Ditto

Azim. 41
Ampl. 15 5 J

Azimuths
Ditto

13 22
12 48

‘2 59

14 2

15 4i

14 10
10 22

184 12

185 15

Ditto
185 30

Several Azim.
Ditto

Amplitudes
pr. Azimuths

11 9

12 40

13 10
II 45

185 30

186 15

186 45
1 88 o

pr. Amplitude
Azim. 12 40
Ampl. 12 40
Amplitude
Several Azim.

}

12 51

12 40

12 20
II 25

188 o

185 3
Ditto
Ditto

186 o

pr.

Ditto'

Ditto

Ditto

Amplitudes

Azimuths

12 26

'5 o
H 15

13 o

13 5

183 o
184 , o

184 15

pr. Amplitudes
Ditto

Azim. 15 8 1

Amp. 15 o J

•4

14

o

o

4

Remarks

In light of the Eail
coaft of New Zeland.
Eaft coaft of New
Zeland.

On ihore in Mer-
cury Bay, N, W.
coaft.

Off" the Northern
K parts of New
Zeland.

' Weft coaft.

li i 2

Time

C 428 ]

Variation

Time

Lat. in

Lon. in

How found

j Means

1770

I'ebruary

0 /

0 /

0 f

South

17 A. M.

44 0

186 30

Ditto 14 3^i 1
Ditto 14 16 J

14 24 E.

18 Ditto

45 0

186 15

pr.. Amplitudes

15 36

March

I P. M.

47 34

187 30

pr. Azimuths

16 34

4 A. M.

46 30

189 0

Ditto

16 16

/ P. xM.
7 lA. M.

4^ 54

191 0

Amplitude

15 10

47 0

Ditto

pr. Azimuths

*5 5^

9 P. M.

12

191 30

pr. Amplitudes

16 29

15 P. M.

45 0

192 30

Ditto

'5 2

16 Ditto

44 27

191 *5

pr. Azimuths

*3 48

25 A. M.

40 30

186 0

pr. Amplitudes

12 20

April

7 P. M.

37 15

196 40

Several Azim.

13 50

8 P. M.

37 40

197 40

Ditto

13 56

10 A. M.

38 45

202 23

Ampl. II 25 1
Azim. II 20 i

II

f P. xM.

39 ^5

203 40

Amplitude 1

Azimuth J

12 £5

lA. M.

39 23

204 0

Ditto

I2 29

14 P. M.

39 24

204 4

Amplitude

II 28

A. M.

39 23 ■

204 15

Azimuth

11 go

20 A. M.

37 0

2ia 0

Ditto

10 40

21 P. M.

36 35

210 0

Ditto

10 42

22 A. M.

35 35

20Q 2q

Ditto

9 50

24 Ditto

35 35

209 0

Ditto

7 41

rp. M.

35 18

209 I I

Ditto

9 *5

^5|a. M.

34 0

208 50

Ampl. 9 36 1
Azim. ^ 7 j

J 9 2 1'f

26 P. M.-

34 18

208 49

Several Azim.

8 48

May

Ditto

f P. M.
7 1 A. M.

33 50

208 37

• 8 0

33 22

2q8 20

D®. with needles

>7 56

8 P. M.

Ditto

Ditto

Azimuths

8 25

10

33 13

207 20

Ditto

8 0

n A. M.

32 40

206 36

pr. d°. .and Amp.

9 10

18

26 20

206 46

pr. Azimuths

8 40

fP. M.

25 34.

206 45

Ditto

■8 36

'9|a. M.

^5 24

206 38

pr. Amplitudes [
pr. Azimuths j

8 2lJ

Remarks

> £a/l coaftt

I" Weft coaftj

Between New
> Zeland and New
Holland.

CoaftofNew South
Wales on the Eaft
coaft of New Holr
land.

Mean of all the
Compaftis.

Time

C 429 ]

Time

Lat. in

Lon

1770

May

0 /

0

20

P. M.

South
25 12

22 •

fP. M.

24 34

307

L A. M.

24 25

208

26

P. M.

23 24

209

3

June

A. M.

20 20

211

5

A. M.

19 18

212

6

A. M.

19 4

212

rp. M.

19 0

213

7]

LA. M.

18 52

213

9 A. M.
Auguft
23, P. M.

27 A. M.

28 P. M.
September

2 P. M..

3 Ditto

4 P. M.

9 P. M.
10 A. M.

13 Ditto

14 Ditto
17 P. M.
24 Ditto
27 Ditto

1771

January

27 P. M.
February

3 P- M.
7 P. M.
J4 P.'M,

in

59

10 36
to 3

9 51

7 39

7 2

6 18

9 36

9 '50

9 40

9 5P

10 8

1 1 10
III 10

10

IS 52
18 34
21 56

213

20

30

50

15

35

55

Variation

Flow found Means

219 8

220 45

221 5

222 40
222 30
222 10

232 13

232 57

235 45

235 45

236 o
241 30
246 50

256 32
264 36

274 50

287 10

pr. Azimuth
pr. Amplitude
Azimuths
Ditto

Ditto

Amplitude

Ditto

Amplitude

Ditto

Ditto

Amplitude

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto
Ditto
Ditto

Azim. o 12
Amp. o s
Ditto

Amp. I 10
Azim. I 27
Amp. and Azim.

Amplitude
pr. Several Azim.
Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

8 45 E.

8 3
7 50
7 28

57

35

31

25

o

53

Remarks

2 54
2 30

2 SI

2 34
2 4
2 30

o 8|W,

i8|

4

49

44

10

51
56

3 24

4 10

Strait between New.
Holland and New.
Guinea.

Coall of N. Guinea.

A

Between N. Gui-
nea and Tinoor.

Eaft coaft of TI--
tnor.

(fland of Savrc.

} South coaft of
Java.

Time

[ 430 ]

Time

Lat. in

Lon. in

1771

February

0 /

• /

P. M.

South
23 20 -

Weft
297 18

20

P. M.

24 57

304 31

23

P. M.

26 59

311 28

25 «

'P. M.

27 55

314 0

A. M.

28 40

316 0

26

P. M.

28 54

316 30

March
4 P. M.

31 s'

326 30

8

A. M.

34 20

333 c

10

P. M.

35 40

337 10

12

P. M.

34 54

339 0

n n •

April
P. M.

1 able 1
27 12

► ay, Cap
349 30

2-3 1

L A. M.

26 34

250 32

24-

fP. M,

26 12

350 46

L A. M.

25 26

351

28

P. M.

19 50

357 0

29

Ditto

18 30

359 6

5

May

A. M.

15 25

7 0

.7

Ditto

12 30

9 45

9

P. M.

10 24

12 0

*3

A. M.

3 18

17 46

19

Ditto

North
4 20

21 51

23

Ditto

7 40

26 0

26

Ditto

10 38

29 22

31

Ditto

18 25

35 30

1

Tune

A. M.

20 0

36 30

2

Ditto

21 4

38 0

4

Ditto

23 30

40 0

6

Ditto

25 40

43

Variation

How found

pr.Several Azlm.

Ditto
pr. Amplitude
pr. Azimuth
pr. Amplitude
Azimuths

Ditto

Amp. z8 30 "I
Azim. 28 8 J

)r. Amplitude
' Ditto

Amplitude
Azimuth
Amplitude
Amp. and Azim.
Azimuth
Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto and Amp
Azimuth

Amplitude

Azimuth

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Ampl. 5 5

Azim. 6 4

Means

lO 20 W.
12 IS

n 30

24 20

24 o
26 10

25 35
28 19

24 o
22 30
20 30

17

18

17

17

H

13

40

37

30

o

53

13 ICJ
12 50
1 1 00
10 00

7 40
9 40
6 30

5 9

6 40

5 4

4 30

5 34i

Remarks

Java head to the
> Cape of Good
Hope.

By feveral obferva-
tions.

From the Cape of
Good Hope to
England,

7

Time

[ 431 ]

Variation

Lat. in

Remarks

How found

Means

1771

June

0 /

0 /

0 /

North

Weft

7

A. M.

27 22

43 43

20 Azimuths

5 20 w.

8

Ditto

28 30

43 42

Ditto

5 24

•

^ 9

Ditto

29 51

44 9

Amp. 7 3I
Azim. 7 30 J

7 17

■

10

P: M.

30 26

44 IS

Ampi. 9 18 4
Azim. 9 — J

9 9

12

P. M.

32 16

45 14

Amplitude

7 0

A. M.

32 40

45 0

Azimuths

6 55

1

'P. M.

33

44 53

Azim. and Amp.

8 23

...

n\

A. M.

33 S3

44 25

Ampl. 8 15 1
Azim. 8 14 i

8 14I

14

P. M.

34 36

Ditto

Amplitude

8 14,

17

Ditto

38 26

40 20

Azimuth

9 I

isJ

P. M.

39 12

39 0

Azim. 14 13 1
Ampl. 14 18 J

14 i5i

La. m.

39 22

38 0

Amplitude

14 24

30-

\P. M.

43 55

17 16

Azimuth

18 30

1 A. M.

44 30

16 18

Ditto

19 30

July

fP. M.

44 40

15 44

Azimuths

23 0

I ^

lA. M.

44 50

16 10

Ditto

22 50

3

P. M.

45 -

13 0

Ditto

20 36

15 Azimuths 1

4<

P. M.

45 30

10 45

2 Amplitudes J

21 25I

A. M.

45 20

9 37

20 Amplitudes 1
12 Azimuths J

21 10

7

P. M.

45 45

8 38

Amplitude

22 39

J

Extrafi.

[ 432 3

Extfaffc from Capt, Cookes Journal.

Nov. 9 At 8 A. M. Mr. Green and I went on fkore, to obfcrve the
1771 Tranfit of Mercury, which came on at 7'^ 20' 58" apparent
time, and was obfcrved by Mr. Green alone ; 1 at this time
was taking the Sun’s altitude in ordor to afcertain the
time.

f

-if

//

Mr^ Green

J Infiernal contact

12

8

58*1

External contaft

— •

9

55

C. Cook

1 Internal contaft

8

45

[ External contact

—

9

48 J

Lat. obferved at noon 36* 48' 28", the mean of this and yefterday
obfervations gives 36° 48' 5§" South, the latitude of the place of
obferviation. The variation of the compafs was found to be ii® o'
Eaft.

Thefe obfervations were made by the help of a Graham’s watch
with a fecond hand i corre^d by obferved altitudes of the Sun.

XLV. Tran/ilus

[ 433 ]

XLV.' Tranfitus Veneris M Merciirii in
eoru7n Exitu e I^ifco Solis, A^to Me7tjis
Jiinii ^ io?no Novembris, 1769, ob-
fervatus. Commmikated by Capt, James
Cook.

i<^

Read Nov. 2i,l~NSTRUMENTA quse obfervandis
hifce phaenomenis utrilque deftinave-
ram, erant fequentia : horologium nempe Aftroiio-
micum a Domino Shelton fabrefadum, fed pendulo
& anchora Domini Graham inftrudlum : quadrans
porro aftronomicLis, cujus radius eft 2| pedum, a
Domino Dolhid confedus : telefcopium denique
Gregorianum trium pedum, micrometro objedivo five
heliometro inftrudum, atque ab eodem confedum,
quod maxime excellit.

Quod ad pendulum fupradidum, quo fere per
feptennium ufus fum, motus ejus ofcillatorius, qui
motum fobs medium exade fequitur & indicat,
quemque per plures altitudines aequales foils &
fixarum, ante & poft habitam obfervationem denuo
examinavi, in metiendis minutis fecundis vere
eft, et in eo ita uniformiter procedit, ut ab
uno folftitio ad alterum vix tribus fecundis ab illo
.recedat.

VoL. LXI.

K k k

Quadrantera

L 434 ]

Quadrantem porrd probe examlnatum, qui in
ejufmodi quoque obfervationibus magni momenti eH",,
& ab aftronomis vulgd applicari folet, huic ipfe obfer-
vationi eum in finem deftinaveram, ut in horologio'
differentiam temporis elapfi inter mutuos limborum
Iblis & planetarum contadlns ad fila ferica^ in com-
muni vitrorum foco tenfa, habere atqueeo ipfo difFcr-
entiainaltitudinis Sc azimuthi inter foils Sc planetarum
centra determinare poffem ; obfervato enini tem-
pore elapfo inter contadlum limbi foils Sc planetae ad
unum idemque filum, concluditur inde differentia
altitudinis eorum, h nempe fuerit filum horizontale
differentia verd azimuthi inter utrumque eodem modo
concludetur, fi filum fuerit verticale. Denique ex
obfervata ejufmodi differentia altitudinis Sc azimuthi
inter centra foils Sc planetce, ipfam quoque differen-
tiam longitudinis Sc latitudinis inter utrumque, tem-
pore obfervationis habitae, deducere licet.

Sic equidem methodo praedi6fa fitum Sc motum^
Veneris ac Mercurii, non tarn in difco Solis, quam in
ipfa eorum orbita, ope quadrantis determinare ftudui.
Illud ipfum verd prasprimis ope micrometri objedlivi
efficiendum putavi, ut nimirum diftantias planetae a
proximo limbo Solis in ejus difco fucceffive metiri
poffem j a quo elemento caetera pendent : quam qui-
dem methodum prae ccateris exadam praeferendam
duco.

Interim eventus fpem fruftravit; vota Sc conamina
in utroque cafu irrita fuere, neque unicam ejufmodi
five Veneris five Mercurii obfervationem in eorum^
tranfitu obtinere potui j ccelum namque minus fere--
num jam ab exoriente Sole ad horam ufque 0(5lavam
(in tranfitu Veneris) mutabikm valdc faciem pnt-

bebat,.

[ +35 ^

bebat, et allquando nubibus prorfus obdu<^lum erat-s
fed faciem brevi port; mutavit, Solifque imaginem,
quae antea vix per aliquot minuta diftinfte videri po-
terat, nunc ad finem ulque phaenomeni pleno quad
jubare confpiciendam dedit.

Coelo ita favente, exitum Veneris e difco Solis,
telefcopio fupra didlo, clar^, diftinde, nec minus
accurate, hunc in modum obfervari :

1769
4junii
ante me-'
ridiem

Conta£i;us interior five initium exitus
videbatur

Conta£i:us exterior five exitus totalis vifus

h f >f

8 30 13
8 48 31

Eadem coeli facie ferena, eodemque fucceflii exitum
quoque Mercurii obfervare licuit : nempe

10 No '] interior five initium exitus

^ videbatur

Contadlus exterior five exitus totalis vifus

7 33 32
7 35 I t

vembris
ante me-
ridiem J

Tempora in utroque tranfitu hie hdtata, ubique
tempus verum indicant. Cseterum plura de his
videantur in uiBis Sociefatis Scientiarum Batavee^ quse
Uarlemi floret [rz],

Situm geographicum obfervatorii non ita pridem
exftrudi, five ejus latitiidinem Sc longituainem^ exade
(ni fallor) determinavi.

Prior five Elevatio Poll Ant ar Bid in illo, per
plures altitudines Solis meridianas & quidem folftiti-
ales, nec non fixarum aliquot, determinata quam
proxime accedit ad 6° 10'.

Poflerior autem, five dlffereijfla merldlanorum hoc
inter & Regium obfervatorium Parifienfe, per aliquot
immerfiones & emerfiones primi fatellitis Jovis, per
eclipfes binas lunares, atque per occultationem fixae ^

Vol. XII. A. 1770. p. 123.
Kkk 2 ’

Luna,

[ 436 ]

Luna, determinata, inventa fuit 104° 30', five iii
tempore 6^ 58'.

Obfervationes eum in finem habitas, nonduni
quidem in Europam tranfmifi, brevi autem Sc infra
paucos dies ad Societatem Batavam, volente Deo,
tranfmittentur.

Bataviae, in Obfervatorio 1 25 Decembris
reccns exftruito. J 1770.

Johan Maurits Mohrj

V.D.M. Senior, & Socictatis Scicntiarum
Bauvo-Harlemenfis Membrum.

Received

[ 437 ]

Received December 5, 1771.

XL VI. Kepler’s Method of computing the
Moon s Parallaxes in Solar Eclipfes^ de-
monfir ated and extended, to all Degrees of
the Moon s Latitude^ as alfo to the afign-
ing the Moon s correfpondent apparent
Diameter^ together with a co7^cife Appli-
cation of this For77i of Calculation to thofe
Eclipfes ; hy the late H. Pemberton, M*D^
F. R. S. Co7n7nunicated by Matthew Raper,
Efq\ F. R. S,

Read Dec. 5, H E calculation of folar edipfes'

1771. having been generally reputed a very

operofe procels, from the repeated computations,
required of the moon’s parallaxes by their continually
varying during the progrefs of the eclipfe, I was
once induced to confider Kepler’s compendium for
performing this, delivered in his Rudolphine tables, of
which he had given a demonftration in his treatife
entitled jf^jiro77omice pars optica. But this demon-
ftration is perplext, and the method itfelf wants cor-
rection, to render it pcrfeCt. Both thele defedts I
endeavoured to fupply by the following propofitions,,

■ by

C 438 ]

by v.'bichmaybe determined with fufficlcnt exadlnefs
the moon’s apparent latitude, not only in ecliples, but
in all diftances of the moon from the ecliptic.

But to thefe proportions I fliall here premife the
method I have generally uled for computing the
nonagefime degree, and its diifance from the zenith ;
this form of calculation not being encumbered with
any diverfity from the difference of cafes.

L E M M A.

To find the nonagefime, or 90th degree of the
ecliptic from the horizon, and its diifance from the
zenith, the latitude of the place, and the point of the
equinodial on the meridian being given.

In Tab. XV. Fig. i. 2. 3. 4. let A B be the equi-
nodial, A C the ecliptic, D the zenith, D E the meri-
dian, and D F perpendicular to the ecliptic, whereby F
is the nonagefime degree, and DF the diifance of that
point from the zenith. Then from D E, the latitude
of the place, and AE the difcance of the meridian
from Aries, the arch of the ecliptic AF, and the
perpendicular D F may be thus found.

Let I be the pole of the equinodial, and H the
pole of the ecliptic. Then A E augmented by 90®
is the meafure of the angle D I H, or of its comple-
ment to four right angles : And the Iquare of the ra-
dius is to the redangle under the lines D I, I H, as the
fquare of the fine of half the angle D I H, or of half
its complement to four right angles, to the redangle
under the radius, and half the excels of the cofine of
the difference between D I and 1 H, above the cofine
of D H, or the fine of D F.

4

In

Fbaof-Triu^.Tol.XK!.TA£.Xr.^i..l3e.

[ 439 ]

In the next place, the arch A D being drawn, in the
rectangular triangle AED, the radius is to the cofine
ofDE, as the cofine of A E to the cofine of AD j and
in the rectangular triangle AF D, the cofine of D F is
to the radius, as the cofine of AD to the cofine of AF ;
therefore, by equality, the cofine of D F is to the
cofine of D E as the cofine of A E to the cofine of
AF [<3], the arch AF counted according to the
order of the figns being to be taken fimilar in
fpecies to A E : For when AE is lefs than a qua-
drant (as in fig. I ), AF will be lefs than a quadrant;,
and when AE fhall be greater than i, 2, or 3 qua-
drants, AF counted according to the order of the
fig-ns, fhall exceed the fame number of quadrants.
For, fince DE and DF are each lefs than quadrants,
when A E in the triangle DEA is alfo lefs than a
quadrant, the hypothenufe A D is lefs than a quadrant,
when in the triangle DF A the legs DF and F A.
are fimilar, that is, F A will be lefs than a quadrant ;
(as in fig, 1.) but if AE is greater than a quadrant;
(as in fig. 2.) that is, diflimilar to DE, the hypothe-
nufe DA will be greater than a quadrant, and the
arches DF, FA likewife diffimilar, and AF greater
than a quadrant ; alfo in fig. 3 and 4, the arches AE,
AF counted from A^ in confequence, will be the
complements to a circle of the arches AE, AF in the
triangles A DE, ADF.

For an exampje, let the cafe be taken in Dr. Halley’s
aftronomical tables, where an occultation of the moon i
with a fixed fiar is propofed to be computed, the lati-

\ a~\ The fame may be concluded from the f. HD being to .
f.TDas f. HID. to f. IHD,

[ 44° ]

tude of the place being 65“. 50'. 50'^ and the point
of the equinotflial culminating 25°. 36'. 24'', from
the firft point of Aries.

This cafe relates to fig. i. and the computation will
ftand thus,

For the diftance of the nonagefime degree from
the zenith.

Diftance of E in confequnce
from A, the equinoctial point J 25'3^’^4
Add 90- o- °

Gives the angle HID 1 i i;. 36.24

Half HID 57.48.12

HI, the obliquity of the ecliptic!
ufed by Dr. Halley J

ID, the complement of the latitude 24. Q.to

Natural number correfponding o.i 1676
Its double, to be deduCled from 0.23352
the nat. cofmeof ID:/3 1 H(o°40'.io".) 0.99993
leaves the nat. cofine of HD (39. 58. o.) 076641

Therefore DF is 50. 2. o.

For the arch AF

Coftne of DF, or fine of HD (co. arith.)
Cofine of the latitude, or fine of ID
Cofine of A E

Cofine of thelong.of the90thdeg.(54°.56'.24".)

L. Sines
9.92749
992749
9.60041

0.6; 190

9.06729
Sum, thrice
rad. deducted

0.19223
9.61 i9r
9‘95SI0

9.75924

The arch HD might have been computed by the
verfed line of the angle HID. But I chufe the me-
thod above ; very few logarithmic tables having the
logarithmic verfed fines. Sir J. Moore, and Sherwin
have given indeed fuch tables, but they are imperfcdl,
extending only to a quadrant.

o Moreover,

[ 441 i

Moreover, if* a table of natural fines Is not at hand,
the arch AD may be found logarithmically thus [^?].

Take half the film of the four firQ lo- 'j
garithms in the preceding computation ol ^ 19.53364.
H D, viz. ]

Dedudt the fine of half DI co IH 7.76675

the remainder

This remainder fought in the table'
of logarithmic tangents gives the cor-
refpondent fine

This fine deducted from the firdi
number leaves the fine of half HD, that i
is, 19°. 59'. o". J

PROPOSITION I.

1 1.76689
9.99994

In fig. 5, 6. Let BCA be the ecliptic, E the moon
appearing in the ecliptic in C, from the place of the
earth whofe zenith isZj B the nonagefime degree,’
the arch ZB being perpendicular to the ecliptic,
ZE C the circle of altitude ; E D the moon’s latitude,
the arch DE being perpendicular to the ecliptic CB-j
and DC the parallax in longitude : then D E is to the
horizontal parallax, as the fine of Z B, the diftance qf
the nonagefime degree from the zenith, or the altitude
of the pole of the ecliptic, to the radius ; alfo DC is
to the moon’s horizontal parallax as f B C X cof. Z B
to the fquare of the radius.

The arch C E is to the moon’s horizontal parallax
as f. Z C to radius, and D E is to C E as f. Z B to
f. Z C j whence by equality D E is to the horizontal
parallax as f. Z B to the radius.

See Philofophical Tranfadtions, VoU LI. Pi II. p. 927? 928;
VoL. LXI. L 1 1

[ 442 ]■

Again-, f. ZB is to radius as the tangent of ZB to
the fecant of ZB- i therefore DE is to the horizontal
parallax, as t. of ZB to fee. ZB: but DC is to DE
as f. BC to t. ZBj whence by equality DC is to the
horizontal parallax as f. BC to the fee. ZB, or as
h BC X cof. ZB to the fquare of the radius.

COROLLARY.

If the point S be taken 90 degrees from the ap-
parent place of the moon, and the ar-ch SZ, be drawn,
in the fpherieal triangle SBZ, the ef. ZB x cf. BCS,
that is,, ef. ZBxf BC is equal to rad. xcf. ZS :
therefore DC is to the horizontal' parallax as cf. ZS,
or the fine, of the diftance of S from the horizon to
the radius. And if the point S is. taken in conle-
quence of the moon,, it will be above the horizon,,
when the nonagefime degree is alfo in confequence.
of the moon other wife below.

PROPOSITION II.

Let G be the apparent place of the moon out of
the ecliptic in the circle of latitude CK, K being the
pole of the ecliptic, and H her true place. Then
RF, the difiance of the moon from the circle of her
apparent latitude, when fiie is feen in the ecliptic, is
equal to HL, her difiance from the circle of her ap-
parent latitude, when her apparent place is G.

If a great circle EHT be drawn through E and H,
till it meet the circle of the apparent latitude in T, the
four great circles CZ, GZ, CT, ET, interfeefiing
each other, the ratio of f. ZC tof. CE is compounded

. . 2 of

C 4+3 ]

of the ratio of f. ZG to f. GH and of the ratio of
f. SHT to f. ET [a]. But CE and GH being the
parallaxes in altitude at the refpedtive diftances from
the zenith ZC, ZG, f. ZC is to f. CE as f. ZG to
f. GH : therefore the fine of HT will be equal to the
fine of ET, and the arches HT, ET together make a
femicircle ; whence ET is equal to HL,

COROLLARY.

The arch KH being drawn, the parallax in lon-
gitude, when the moon is in H, will be to HL as
rad. to f. KH, or the cofine of the latitude ; and EF,
or its equal HL, to CD as f. KE to the radius.
Therefore the moon’s parallax in longitude, when in
H, is to the parallax in longitude, when fhe appears
in the ecliptic, as the fine of KE to the fine of KH,
that is, as the cofine of the latitude, when the moon
appears in the ecliptic, to the cofine of her latitude
in H.

PROPOSITION III.

When the moon appears out of the ecliptic, if her
latitude is fmall, the difference of the moon’s latitude,
when the moon appears in the ecliptic under the fame
apparent longitude, if both latitudes are on the fame
fide of the ecliptic, otherwife their fum, will be to
the moon’s apparent latitude, nearly as the fine of the
moon’s diftance from the zenith, when appearing in

[a] Ptolem. Almag. L. i. c. 12. Menel. Spheric. L. iii. pr. z.

L 1 1 2

the

{[ 444* J

Hie ecliptic under the fame apparent longitude, to the
fine of the correfponding apparent dlftancca

Fig. 6. When the moon appears out of the eclip-
tic in G, the four great circles CZ, GZ, CT, FT, in-
terfecfling each other as before, the ratio of f. CZ to f..
ZE will be compounded of the ratio of f. CG to fi
EHj or of CG to EH in thefe fmali arches, and of
the ratio of f. HT to f. GT, which lafi ratio, when
the latitude is fmali, and HT near a quadrant, is
nearly the ratio of equality. Now in the triangle
EKH the arch EH exceeds the difference of KE and
KH, that is, the difference of the latitudes, when both
the latitudes are on the fame fide of the ecliptic, and
their fum, v/hen the latitudes are on. the oppofite fide?..
But here the excels will be inconfideraWe. There-
fore if an arch X, be taken, wlpfe fine lhall be to the
fine of the difference, or fum of the latitudeSj^ as f.
ZC to f. ZE, X flaall be nearly equal to CG, the ap- .
pjirent latitude in Gi

COROLLARIES,

1. If the arches DE, BZ be continued to K, the-
pole of rile ecliptic, the four great circles CB, CZ>
DK, BK, will interfecf each other, and f. .BD will
be to the fine of BC" in the ratio compounded of the
ratio of f. ZE to f. ZC, and of f. DIG to f. EX, the
kaft of which ratios, the arch DE being fmali, and
DK a quadrant, is nearly, the ratio of equality :
therefore f. BD is to f. BC nearly as f. ZE to f. ZC i,
fo that f. BD will be to f. BC nearly as the difference-
of the moon’s true latitude, when fih'e appears in G,
from her Latitude DE, wherewith (lie would appear
4' in

[ 445 1

in the ecliptic, if the points H and E are both on the
fame fide of the ecliptic, or as the fum of thofe lati-
tudes, when H and E are on different fides of the
ecliptic, to the moon’s vifible latitude.

1. The moon’s apparent diameter, is to her hori-
zontal diameter, as the fine of her apparent diftance
from the zenith to the fine of her true diftance.
Therefore, when the moon is in C, her apparent-
diameter is to her horizontal diameter as f. ZC to
f ZE, and f. ZC being to f. ZE nearly as f. BC tOv
f BD •, the moon’s apparent diameter in C will be tO-
her horizontal diameter nearly as f. BC to f. BD.

Again, the ratio of f. CGtof. EH is compounded'
of', the ratio of f. ZG to f ZH, and of the ratio of
1. CT to f. ET ;• and is alfo compounded of the ratio
of f. ZG to f. ZEs and (f the ratio of f GT to
f. TH ; but the fine of ET is equal to the fine of TH;
the arches ET'and TH compofing a femi-circle ; alio .
the fine of CT there differs little from the fine of GT j-t
therefore f ZG is to f. ZH, tliat is, the moon’s appa-
rent diameter, when in G, to her horizontal diameter,^
nearly as f. ZC'tof. ZE, or nearly as f. BC to *
CBD.

3. In all latitudes of the moon, EH will not greatly ,.-
exceed the difference, or fum of the moon’s latitude,-
jnH,, and the latitude wherewith fhe would appear
in the ecliptic. Therefore the ratio of f. ZC to f. ZE .
being compounded of the ratio of f CG to EH,,
a.nd of the ratio of f. IIT to f. GT, if X be taken, .
that its fine be to the fine of tffe difference or fum. of.
the latitudes, as f. ZC to ZE, f X will be nearly to .
f. CG-as f. HT to f. GT. Elence the difference of:
f. X, and f. GtC will be to f. CG, nearly as the differ-

[ 446 ]

ence of f. HT and f. GT to f. GT, HT not lenfibly
differing from TL. Now FT and TL together
make a femi- circle, and the fum of FG and GL is
twice the difference of TL from a quadrant, and the
difference between FG and GL equal to twice the
difference of TG from a quadrant, alfo the difference
between the fines of TL and TG is equal to the
difference of the verfed fines of the differences of
thofe arches from quadrants ; and moreover the redt-
angle under the fines of two arches is equal to the
reftangle under half the radius, and the difference of
the verfed fines of the fum and difference of thofe
arches : therefore the difference of the fines of X and
of CG will be to the fine of CG as the redfangle
under the fine of half FG and the fine of half GL to
the redf angle under half the radius and the fine of
GT, and in thefe fmall arches the difference of X and
CG will be to CG nearly as the redlangle under the
fines of FG and GL to the redlangle under twice
the radius and the fine of GT, or even twice the
fquare of the radius, this difference being to be added
to X, when the moon’s apparent latitude, and that by
which fhe would appear in the ecliptic, are on the
fame fide of the ecliptic, otherwife dedudled from X
for the final corredlion of the apparent latitude. And
in the laft place this corre(ftion will be always fo fmall
in quantity, that in computing it CF may be fafely
fubftituted for GL.

4. Moreover, the excefs of the moon’s apparent
diameter, when feen in G, above her apparent diame-
ter in C, bears a lefs proportion to her horizontal
diameter than the rcdlangle under the fine of her

horizontal

C 447 ]

horizontal parallax, and twice the fine of half the ap-
parent latitude CG to the fquare of the radius.

The fine of CE is to the fine of ZC as the fine of
the horizontal parallax to the radius ; and CE, the dif-
ference of ZC and ZE, being very fmall, the differ-
ence of the fines of thofe arches may be efteemed
to bear to the fine of CE, the ratio of the cofine of
ZC to the radius ; and thus the difference of the
fines of ZC and ZE, will be to the fine of ZC as the
rectangle under the fine of the horizontal parallax and
the cofine of ZC to the fquare of the radius. And
in like manner the difference of the fines of ZG and
ZH, will be to the fine of ZG, as the redtangle under
the fine of the horizontal parallax and the cofine of
ZG to the fquare of the radius. But f. ZE is to
f. ZC as the moon’s horizontaf diameter to her ap-
parent diameter in C, and f. ZH to f. ZG as the
moon’s horizontal diameter to her apparent diameter
in G. Therefore the difference of the apparent
diameter in G from the apparent diameter in C, is to-
the horizontal diameter, as the redfangle under the
fine of the horizontal parallax, and the difference of
the cofines of ZC and ZG, to the fquare of the,
radius. But in the triangle CZG, the difference of
ZC and ZG is lefs than the third fide CG : therefore
the chord of the difference of thofe arches, and much
more the difference of their cofines, will be lefs than,
the chord of CG, or twice the fine of half CG,
Hence the ratio of the augmentation of the apparent
diameter in G to the apparent diameter in C, will bc‘
lefs than the redfangle under the fine of the horizon^-
tal parallax and twice the fine of half CG, the appa-c-
r.cQt latitude, to the fquare of the radius,.

Morar

[ 44S ]

More accurately, the chord of the difference of ZG
and ZG being to the difference of their cofines, as the
radius to the cofine of half their fum, the difference of
the moon’s apparent diameters in C and G may be
confidered as nearly bearing to the horizontal diameter,
the ratio of the parallelopipedon, whofe altitude is the
fine of the horizontal parallax', and bafe the redlangle
under the chord of CG and the cofine of ZC, to the
cube of the radius ; the cofine of ZC being to the cofine
of ZB, the dilfance of the nonagefime degree from
the zenith, as the cofine of BC, the apparent diflance
of the moon from the nonagefime degree to the ra-
dius. But this difference can never be any fenfible
quantity,

5. When the moon is in the longitude of the
nonagefime degree, the parallax in longitude ccafcs,
and the apparent latitude is the difi'erence of the
moon’s apparent diffance from the zenith, and the
diflance of the nonagefime degree from the fame.

But now fince DC is to the horizontal parallax ns
the redlangle under the fine of BC, and the cofine of
ZB to the fqiiare of the radius ; if an arch be taken to
the horizontal parallax as f. BD x of. ZB to the fquare
of the radius, this arch will differ but little from the
parallax in longitude, and is ufed by Kepler as fuch ;
however, it ought to be correefed by adding it to BD,
and taking an arch to this in the proportion of tlie
fine of BD thus augmented to the fine fimply of BD ;
and this laft arch will be equal to the parallax in
longitude without fenfible error.

Again, DE taken to the horizontal parallax as the
fine of ZB to the radius, is conlidercd by Kepler as

the

[ 449 3

the moon’s parallax of latitude in eclipfes ; but this be-
ing deduced or added as the cafe requires gives EH,
which being augmented in the proportion of the fine of
BD-|-DC to the fine of BD, gives truly the apparent
latitude without fenfible error, when the latitude is
fmall : But, when greater, requires to be corredled by
adding together the logarithmic fine of the latitude now
found, the fine of EH and the logarithm of DE,
tht fum of which is the double of the corred:ion re-
quired.

In the laft place the moon’s horizontal . diameter
augmented in the proportion of the fine of BC to
the fine of BD exhibits the moon’s apaprent diameter.
And here the calculation will proceed thus :

In the example above chofen for computing the
nonagefime degree.

The moon’s longitude is given from T 6l*. 2/38"
The longitude of the nonagefime
degree was found above to be

Therefore BD = 7. 6. 14^
~ -its fincj

BZ, as found above, 50°. 2'. 0''. its cofine
The horizontal parallax in feconds

9.09226

9.80777

3-52387

» ■ O / //

4.25

This added to BD gives 7. 10. 39

Its fine

2.42390

9.09673

Diff. from the firft fine

This added to the log. of 4'. 25", gives the*
log. of 4'. 28", for the moon’s parallax in lon-
gitude, fuch.as is derived from the parallax in
altitude by the parallactic angle, , J

447

2.42837

VoL. LXI.

M m m

Again,

C 450 ]

Again,

The fine of ZB. 50*. at'. 0".

Horizontal parallax 55' .4)", = 3341 feconds
Their fum, rejedingthc radius, gives DEr=42'.4o"
The moon’s latitude 4*. 50'. 18"
Their fum, (EH) the lat. being fouth, 5®. 32'.58"

Its fine

From the preceding calculation
For the apparent latitude, were the T o
moon’s. lat. fmall J ^ ‘

But the moon’s latitude being here
great, the numbers markt A, B,C,
being added together, give twice
the correction.

Its half o9 .o'.iz"
This deducted from N®C, thci
moon’s latitude being fouth, r
gives for the apparent lat. ^

Laftly,

From the moon’s horizontaN
parallax her horizontal dia- V
meter is ^

The number from the firft calculation
The moon’s apparent diameter 1856^" or3o'.j6i"

► 0*^. o'. 2 4"

5^36'. 1 3|"

o‘.3o'.37i"
or 18371"

9.88447

3.52387
3.40834 A

8.98546 B
447

8.98993C

1.38373

3*26423

I 447
I 3.26870

NOW In folar eclipfes the moft regular method of
treating them would be to confidcr the vifible way of
the moon from, the fun, as a line of continued curva-
ture, which it really is ; and as it differs not greatly
from a ftreight line, an arch of a circle may fafely be
ufed for it. But’ to form a computation in the fpherc
upon this principle would require a procefs fomewhat
intricate j but all the particulars ufually inquired into
in folar eclipfes may readily be affigned graphically with
fcale and.compals after'this manner. •-

Firft, find the time nearly of the conjunction of the
luminaries, without being felicitous to, triveftig.ate the

time

C 4SI ]

time with exaftnefs. To this point of time affign in
fome crude manner the moon’s parallax in longitude,
by which a time may eafily be*afrumed, not very
diftant from the vifible conjun(5lion. This may very
.commodioufly be performed inftrumentally by the
propofition, with which I ihall conclude this paper.
' To this point of time compute the place of the fun
and moon, alfo for an hour before and after, or rather
for fuch an interval'of time as may include the whole
^ipfer-and not too much exceed, of which an efti-
mate.^may eafily be made by the forementioned pro-
pofition here fubjoined. But all thefe places of the
luminaries may- be deduced from the calculation for
finding the true conjundtion, by means of the horary
motions^' In’ the next place, to each of thefc points
of time compute the diftance from the zenith and the
place inithe ecliptic of the nonagefime degree. Then
from each pofitioii of the nonagefime degree, compute
by the method deferibed, the moon’s parallax in lon-
gitude, her apparent latitude, and apparent diameter.

” Fig. 7. After this, affuming upon anyftraight line,
as AB, the point C for the fun, from thence lay down
for the three points of the ecliptic, for vyhich the pre-
ceding computations were made, the three diflances
CD, CE, CF, which fhall be the meafures in feconds,
taken from a fcale of equal parts fufficiently large, of
the diftances of the moon from the fun in each, com-
pounded with their refpedtive parallaxes in longitude,
ib as to reprefent the refpedlive apparent diftances of
the moon from the fun in longitude. Upon thefe points
eredtthe perpendiculars DG, EH,,FI, for the moon's
correfpondent apparent latitudes, and deferibe through
thefe three points thearch of a circle, asreprefentingthc
vifible way of the moon from the fun during the ecUpfe.

M m m 2 Then

[ 452 ]

Then If from C the line CK be drawn from the
centre of this circle, K will be the place of the moon
at the greateft obfcuration. The beft method for
alligning this point K is to defcribe the arch of a
circle to the center C with any interval, whereby it
may cut the arch GHl, as in N and O; for the
point K bifefts the intercepted arch N KO. Again,
if CL, C M be applied from C to the arch I H G,
each equal to the fum of the femidiameter of the fun,
and apparent femidiameter of the moon, L will be the
place of the moon’s center at the beginning, and M
the fame at tlie end of the eclipfe.

In the laft place, for finding the time, when the
moon fhall be in each of the points L, K, M, mea-
fure the chords of the arches HG, HL, HM, HI,
as not fenlibly differing from the arches themfelves.
Then A denoting H L or H M, and B the fum of G H
and H I, the time fought for the greater chord may be

confidered equal to X the time of

the moon’s pafling from G to H, or from H to I.

The time for the leffer chord will be^x 3^

2O ^£>1 J3

X the time above named j and in the laft place, the
time of the moon’s paftage between H and K equal

to

HK_Hk

b GHc/jHI

' X

2IJ 2^

B

X the time fpecified.

This calculation I deduced from Sir Ifaac Newton’s

Differential Method j and in the laft cafc' — ^or

K

X , &c. is to be taken, as K fliall fall within the
greater or leffer of the arches G H, H I : but for the
moft part the term may be wholly omitted.

If

[ 453 ]

If this method be applied to the occultation of a
ftar, the diftances CD, CE, CF muff be the paral-
laxes in longitude computed according to the firfi: of
the preceding proportions united with the refpedlivc
diftances of the moon from the ftar in longitude, con-
tracted in the proportion of the cofines of the moon’s
latitudes, or at leaft of the flar’s latitude to the ra-
dius. Alfo the moon’s apparent latitudes mult, for the
moft part, be corrected by the third corollary of the
third proportion, and the apparent diameters, if the'
correction could amount to any fendble quantity, by
the 4th corollary.

t

THE proportion, I made mention of above for efti-
mating the diftance of the true conjunction from the
virble, is this. Fig. 8. In any circle, whofe diameter
is AB, let the arch AC meafure twice the comple-
ment of the declination of any point in the ecliptic
CD 5 in like manner meafure twice the complement
of the latitude, and AD, BD being drawn, let DE
be the verfed fne of the diftance in right afcenhon, of
that point of the ecliptic from the meridian taken to
a radius equal to the perpendicular let fall from C
upon the chord AD j then BE will be the hne of the
diftance of the point affumed in the ecliptic from the
horizon,’ to a radius equal to the diameter of the
circle.

Therefore, if the diameter of the circle be the mea-
lure, upon any fcale of equal parts, of the moon’s ho-
rizontal parallax, and the point taken in the ecliptic
be 90° diftant from the moon’s apparent longitude
the right afcenfion and declination of this point be-
ing 6rft taken from tables of right afcenhon and decli-

na.tion»

C 45+ ]

nation, BE, found as above, will be the meafure of
the parallax in longitude, as afligned in the Coroll, to
Prop, I. and if the point afTumed in the ecliptic be
po° diftant from the moon’s true place, BE will ap-
proach near enoughv to that parallax for the purpofe
intended, "

After the fame ipanner may the parallax in longi-
tude be found for any other time aflumed. Alfo if
the arch AC be taken equal to twice the comple-
ment of the obliquity of the ecliptic, that is, BC
equal to twice that obliquity, BE will be nearly equal
to the parallax in latitude, provided DE be taken equal
to the verfed fine, to the like fcale, as before, of the
complement of the right afeenfion, of the point of the
ecliptic on the meridian. And thus may be found
the fittefi: interval of time for the three calculations of
the parallaxes, Sec. I have above propofed in general
an hour ; but in great eclipfes it would be beft to af-
fume this interval fomething greater, and in fmall
eclipfes lefs.

Moreover thefe conftrudlions may be performed
with very little trouble, any fmall fe^or being fufii-
cient for the purpofe.

XLV. Of

f

[ 45S ]

XLVII. Of Logarithns^ hy the late William
Jones, Efq\ F, R. S. Communicated hy
John Robertfon, Lib, R, S,

Read Dec. ^ | i H E following paper on the nature
^771* Jl^ conftrudion of Logarithms,

was communicated to me many years fince, by that
eminent Mathematician the late William Jones, Efq.

. The familiar manner in which he explains their na-
ture, and the great art with which he obtains the
modes of computation, not being exceeded, if
equaled, by any writer on this fubjedt, may claim a
place in the Philofophical Tranfadions, to be pre-
lerved among the multitude of excellent papers, of
which that mod invaluable work is a fafe repo^
fitory.

Of Logarithms.

I. Any number may be exprefled by fome Angle
power of the fame radical number. .

For every number whatever is placed fomewhere
in a fcaleof the feveral powers of fome radical num-
ber r, whofe indices are m—iy m—2y m — &c.

where not only the numbers r”, 5^0.

are exprefled j but alfo .any intermediate number x
is reprefen ted by r, with a proper index z,

VoL. LXI. - M m m 4

The

[ 456 ]

The index z is called the Logarithm of the num-
ber X.

2. Hence, to find the logarithm z of any num-
ber X, is only to find what power of the ‘radijca!
number r, in that fcale, is equal' to the number x ;
or to find the index z of the power, in the equation
X —r^.

3. The properties of logarithms are the fame with,
the indices of powers ; that is, thp fpm or difference
of the logarithms of two numbers, is the logarithm
of the produdl or quotient of thofe numbers.

And therefore, ?i times the Jogarithm of any num-
ber, is the logarithm of the nih. power of that number..

4. The relation of any number Xy and its loga-
rithm z being given; To find the relation of their
leaft fynchronal variation x and z
Put 1 radical number of any fcale, and

n

9=T+-n

Let j y — ~-

Then / x—xz fliews the relation required,.

For x = r'^=i-{-r^"'»

Now, let X and z flow lb that x becomes x~^x, at
the fame time as z fhall become

Then x x= i i x i

=xy. i-\-zq-\-lzf -\-^zq^-\-\zq*y^c.
Therefore x=zxz'aq-\-lq^-\--^q' -{-\q*y bcc.

7=zxza=:x zx~* Confequently /'x=zxz.

[ 457 ]

5- If as in the common logarithms

of Briggs’s form,

Then a will be found to be 2,302585092994, &c.
And/— .... 0,43429448190325, &c.

If I =y, the form will be that of Napier’s lo-
garithms.

6. Let B, 6, be the logs of the numbers a:, ia
the form /=— ,

a

And N, N, the logs of the fame numbers, in the

form (b~—,

»

Then B?=N/; Ba=Na; BI^=NBj

For B:N::(/x-:?X :: B: N:: 5;i:: B:N.

If ;c = 10 5 B — 1 j rr: 2,30258, &C. |
or / — 0,43429, &c. j a = <p = I .

Then N == B x — = 2,30258, &c.

=: B X j = 2,30258, &c. X B.
6 = X = 0,43429, &c. X

VoL. LXI.

N n n

7, Putting

[ 458 ]

7. Putting ^ <UJ N=r -.

Then z~ log. of :v, or the log. of g + Vy will be
= + &c. x/>

q .iq—^q 4? 5^

:= +N- |N^+ iN^+4N’-^N^&C.y/.

For .i = L, AT = L, 5^ + -i; = 7'x — = /x

iv <v V* d/

-q q" ~ q^ - q^

j See. X J •

8. In three quantities p, g, r, increafing by equal
differences, the logarithm of any one of them being
given, the logarithms of the other two are alio given.

Forj \zt v — q —p—r — q\ ;

q q q

P, Q^, R, the logarithms of />, y, r.
q

I. L=?=(L,-^=)(i-Pz=/xN + |N^+;-N^-f

For L, — ^ — =/ X

q — V q' — V

II. L,r=:(L/-^=)R— Q=/x N-iN'+^-N'— i N-+,N',fcc. =/X.

For L. l±Z=fy.

q q V

,IM.L,:=:2/xV4-X = R-P-2/xN -^-;N^_}-.'N^ + -;-N/+^-N^6CC.=:z2/Z.
Where N ^ ^

Or, I.

r + p

L, t±f = R _ p

For I

p q—V

q V

2/Z. ,

V

2/

q 'V

q q — V V

9. Hence,

[ 459 ]

9, Hence, in two quantities, r the greater, p the
lefs.

Putting A=2yNj B=AN% C=BN*>

D=:C'N^&c.

And S== A + 4.B+ ;C + |P, &c.

Then L, 1 = S j Or R — P == S.

P

Or, putting N = ^ ; A =r /'N, 6cc.

Then L, — — 2 S.

P

Where ^ — i j N — - ~ - ; let A — 2 y~N, 6cc.
Then L, r = S.

Or, in this cafe, puttingN— Aj B— AN% &c.
Then L, r = 2/S.

Where p=i, and f~i : let A= 2N, &c.

/• + 1

Then L, r S.

I

N n n 2

10. la

[ 4^0 ]

ro. In three quantities'/^', q, r, increafing by equal
differences, the logarithms of any two of them being
given, the'Iogarithm of the third is alfo given. '

I. For L, ii = 2/xV — X = 2Q^^F4-R

&e: = 2/Y.

Where N = I^.

r + p

Or L, --if— = 2/Y — 2Ci~P4n?^

pr qq — VV ^ ^ ‘

Becaufe L, — ^-1 — 2 fx — — —

qq — VV qq — vv

II. Putting N = = (where ‘um) — - — ;

qq+pr qq + rp ^

A=/N} B=r:AN^ 6cc.

Then L, ”=2S=:2Q-’R^; Or 0_i±Z=S.

pr I ^ ^

For fince vv — qq — pr ■=. i ; put qq for r y pr for y.
Then r — pz=.qq — pr — vv=. \ 1 r-\-pz=.qq-\-pr»

III. Putting N=-=:A, &CC. a—\.

And M=^A-f 6cc.; S=|R-f-P; A=:|R-P,

Then Qj= 2 + ^

For — P— yv — a; R — Pzrr2jfZ=:2A; '

but I -j- M 1= p > Therefore, 6cc.*

2 2

II. Any

C 46X ]

II, Any numbers A $'> many ratios

b, c, &c. compoled of them, the difference of whofe
terms is i ; as alio the logarithms A, B, C, &c. of thofe
ratios, being given : To find the logarithms P, Q, R, &c,
of thofe numbers, where the form is i.

For inflance, if p~2, §'=3, ^=5,

Now, the logs A, B, C, of thefe ratios, c, being found,
the log. of either 2, 3, 5, or of any number compounded
of them, may be found diredlly, by making each fuccef-
fively equal to a^yby^c’^.

Thus, for the log of io=:2.5.

2 .V 2 «

Let ab^c^ = 1 x X -i-

3 y y s5 s5

2 3-5 3 -2

3* ''.2~3^ X X 5* *.3—*'. 23 *1=2.5,

Therefore 3^-3* — i x 3^^~->'— *x i.

Confequently aj/^^x — 3s — 1=0; 2x — -y — z:^o; 2z~y-iro
Therefore at = lo 3 y— 135 z — j i
and a^° x X ff = (2 x 5 =) lo*

Therefore 10 A -|- 13 B 7C=;log. of 10, to the form r.

Or, fince — Tj b z=z — ^ c —

2^ 3.5 3.2^

Therefore A-r2Q—3Pj B— 4P— Q^R; C—2R-Q-3P.
Confequently P=:3 A-f-qB-f-^Cr^log. of 2 "I

Q= cA-}-6B-|- 3C=:log. of 2 ito the form i.
R=7A+9B+5C^log. of 5J
Therefore P-j-R— loA-pi^B-j-yC— =log. of (2 X 5—) to.
And J^P, y^Q, yR) are the logarithms of 2^ 3, 3, relpec-
tively, in the fcale of logarithms whofe form is /.

VoL. LXI. N n n 3 XLVIII. An

\

[ 46* ]

XL VIII. An Inquiry into the V alue of the
ancient Greek and Roman Money: By
Matthew Raper, Efq\ F. R, S.

Introduction.

Read Dec. | 1HE firfl writers, who, after the-
J|_ revival of learning in Europe, made
the Greek and Roman money an objedl of their in-
quiries, took great pains to colled: and explain fuch
pafTages in antient authors as related to it ; but very,
little to difeover its true value. In fo much, that
fome of them have fuppofed the Roman Aureus to
have been lieavier than the Greek Philippic (i) >
and others, that the Denarius was heaver than the
Attic Drachm ; but moft of them agreed in this,, that
the two laft mentioned coins were exactly equal.
All which, opinions are proved to be erroneous by
the coins themlclves now« in being.

(^i); S«e Gronovius, de pecunia veteie, 1. ii. c. 8*

[ 463 J

Our learned coiintrynian John Greaves, was, I
believe, the firft who difcovered that the Attic
Drachm was heavier than the Etenarius (2). He
teems to have examined a g;reater number of Greek
and Roman coins than any other writer on the fub-
jed. His balance turned with, the 80th part of a
grain (3); and his weights were corredly adjudcd-
to the Englifh ftandard (4), as appears from the
comparilon the Royal Society of London caufed
to be made, in the year 1742, of the Troy Ounce
with that of Paris, which was found to agree
precifely with what Greaves had fo long before
determined (5).

His care and diligence in weitrhins: the coins, and:
his fidelity in reporting them, have never beea
doubted; but he is not always fufficientJy explicit
as, where he fays he had perufed many hundred
Denarii Confulares, and found the befl: of them to
•amount to 62 grains Englifh (6); it is probable he
found many fuch, for there are many of this weight
and upw'ards in that noble repofitory the Britifh
jMufeum ; but when he fays in the Erne paragraph,
that, weighing many Attic Tetradrachms, he found,
the befl of them to be 268 graij}?, he may mean
only one, for very few come up to that weight.
Nor hath- he given a particular defeription of this

[2) See the d&dication of hts hrifeourfe of the Roman Fotit and
Denarius,, printed in the year 164,7, and reprinted, with other of
his works, by Dr. Birch, in 1736.. I quote the original edition,
which contains 134 pages numbered after the. dedication. That
of Dr. Birch, begins at p. 18 1 (excluding the dedication), and.
eiids at p. 356. (3) Ibid. (4) See his Difeourfe, P. 61.

(c) Philofophical Tr.an factions, N° 465, (6) p. 61.

heavy

[ 464 ]

heavy Tetradrachm, but Teems to think the weight
of that coin was in all ages the fame, which pro-
bably it was not.

He allows that fiiver is more liable to be overfizcd
at the mint than gold (7) ; yet he determines ilie
weight of the Attic Drachm from the Tetradrachm
to be 67 grains (8), though no gold coin, he ever
Taw, comes up to it by a quarter of a grain in the
Drachm (9).

He hath likewife made his Denarius above half
a grain heavier than any he had perufed, to agree
with Villalpandus’s weight of the Congius (1);
which led him to fuppolc, that the Roman Aureus
was juft double the weight of the Denarius (2), con-
trary to the expreis teftimony of Pliny. And he
hath not given a clear account of the Confular
Aureus.

In the year 1708, John Cafpar Elfenfchmid, of
Straiburg, publiflied his book de ponderibus & men-
furis veterum, 6cc. He is an. accurate and a faith-
ful writer, but wanted materials. He ufed Paris
weights, which feem to have been correcftly ftzed to
that ftandard. Having feen no Roman gold older
than the reign of Tiberius, which was nor too im-
perfedt to difeover its original weight (3), and find-
ing the moft perfedl Confular Denarii to be very
unequally fized, he took a mean from a pretty large
heap of fuch as he thought unexceptionably perfect.,
rejeding fome, which, though apparently fo, were

(7) P. 103. (8) P. 66. (9) P. 72.

(1) Compare p. 94 and 120, with p. 61. (2) P. 103.

^3) Eifenl'chmid, p. 34.

very

[ 465 ]

very deficient in weight, and thence determined the
weight of the Confular Denarius to be 74.* Paris
grain?, equal to 604..^ Troy (4). But, as he hath
jrct told us what number of pieces his large heap
contained, nor the weight of the heavieft and lighteft
of them, his conclufion is not fatisfadlory.

Having no perfeft Greek coins, either gold or
filver, except one very ancient Attic Tetradrachm
weighing 333 Paris grains, he derived the weight
of the Attic Drachm from his Denarius, by a pro-
portion between the Roman Pound and the Attic
Talent, mentioned in the 38th book ofLivy’sHiftory,
which happened to agree with the weight of his an-
cient Tetradrachm, giving a Drachm of 83I Paris,
grains, equal to almoft 68_ i Troy (5). : '

Neither be nor Greaves have taken notice of the
Roman Scrupular gold coin, nor made fuch ufe of
the Conftantinopolitan Solidus, as might be expedled,
from the great number now remaining in the moft
perfect prefervation, though the latter hath given the
weights of 29 of them.

Greaves, very juftly, obferves, that, gold coins
“ are not fubjecT to be confumed by time and ruft,
“ but only ex inter trimento ; and therefore we may
‘‘ the fafelier give credit to them. And becaufe
“ the difference, though but of a grain, is of fome
confideration in gold, the mafters of the mint ufe
to be more circumfpedl about them : whereas, in
“ filver coins, fince it is hardly worth the pains to
Rand precifely on the cxcefs or defedt of a grain,
“ there are few of thefe fo exadt, but either exceed

(4) P* 33* (5) P- 40 and 42.

VoL, LXI. O o o ‘‘or

[ 466 ]

“ or want in the very mint one or two grains, and
“ fometimes more (6).”

I found, the heaviefl: of twenty new guineas, of
the year 1768, frefli from the mint, to outweigh
the lighted; grains. The didrachmal gold of
Philip and Alexander is about 4 grains heavier than
our' guinea j and I never found the difference be-
tween any two of them, that appeared to be perfedt
and unworn, amount to two grains. The filver,.
likewife, of thefe two Princes is more corredtlv fized,
than any other ancient filver money I have leen.

The Roman Confular Aureus is between 3 and 4.
grains lighter than a guinea, and is not fo corredtly
fized as the Greek gold ; but much more fo than
the Denarius, which is fo unequal, that the Roman
mint-mafters feem to have contented themfelves, with ,
ftriking a certain number of pieces out of the pound
of filver, with very little regard to their equality.
Therefore, as far as the difcovery of the weight of
the Roman pound depends on their coin, it muft
be obtained from the gold alone.

Eifenfchmid fuppofes, that gold coins may have
loft a fenfible part of their original weight, though
no appearance of wear can be difcovered on them,,
even with a glafs (7), On the contrary, I have
found guineas of'George II, and Ann, wdaofe wear,
on themoft prominent parts of the head, was vifiblc
at the firft' glance of the naked eye, which were
above ftandard weighty therefore, where no appear-
ance of wear, or other diminution, can be difcovered

i

(6) Greaves, p. 103. (7) Eifenfchmid, p. 34, 35.

on

[ 4^7 ]

on a coin, I fee no reafon to fuppofe it hath lofl any
fenfible part of its original weight.

In the following dilcoufe, I have colledled the
moll authentic evidence I could find, 'of the weights
of the Attic Drachm and the Roman Denarius > part
of which I have taken from that very valuable pub-
lication of the Pembroke collection of coins. But,
valuable as it is, it would have been more fatif-
faCtory to the accurate perufer, if the Noble Editor
had diftinguiflied the degree of prefervation the fe-
veral coins were in, and given the weights of the
molt perfect, nearer than to half a grain.

In the year 1759, by the favour of the learned
and ingenious Dr. Gowin Knight, Principal Libra-
rian of the Britifh Mufeum, I weighed a confidera-
ble number of the moft perfeCt Greek and Roman
coins in that noble Repofitory.

The fcales I ufed were good workmanfhip, of the
' common conftruCtion, made by Read j the beam 8
inches, and they turned freely with lefs than the
20th part of a grain. To avoid any error, I weighed
each piece in both pans. My weights were moft
accurately fized; and, upon comparing the Troy
ounce I ufed, with that in the archives of the Royal
Society, in an exquifite balance of my late much
efleemed friend. Dr. Henry Pemberton, it was
found to be ^ of a grain heavier, which I have al-
lowed for in the following difcourfe.

This effay hath received very confiderable ad-
ditions from the ineftimable treafury of ancient coins,
in the pofiTeflion of the learned Matthew Duane
Efq; who moft obligingly afiiftcd me in taking the
weights of fuch as were for my purpofe. And it

O 0 o 2 was

[ 468 ]

was from the coins in this collodion only, that I
difcovered the Eginean Talent to have been the
money-ftandard of Macedon, before Philip changed
it for the Attic.

Dr. Hunter, likewlfe, very politely favoured me
with the infpedtion of his curious cabinet of ancient
coins, fome of which I fliall have occafion to men-
tion in the following difcourfej as well as fome
brought from Greece, by my learned friend James
Stuart, Efq; who, it is hoped, will foon favour the
Public with the fecond volume of his Antiquities of
Athens.

§ I . Of the Attic Drachm,

*■

THE Greek coins were not only money, but
weights. Thus their Drachm was both a piece of
money, and a weight ; their Mina was i oo Drachms
as a fum, and the fame number as a weight ; and
their Talent contained 6o Minas, or 6000 Drachms,
both by weight and tale. .

This way of reckoning 100 Drachms to the Mina,
and 60 Minas to the Talent, was common to all
Greece ; and where the Drachm of one city differed
from that of another, their refpedive Talents differed
in the fame proportion (8).

Of all the Greek cities and free ffates, both in
Europe and the leffer Afia, that of Athens was the
mod famous for the finenefs of their filver, and the

(8) Pollux, L. IX. c. 6. § 86.

juftnefs

[ 4^9 ]

jullnefs of Its weight (9) : Xenophon -tells us, that
whitherfoever a man carried Attic filver, he would
fell it to advantage (i). And their money deferves
our more particular attention, both becaufe we h^ve
the mod: unexceptionable evidence of its ftandard
weight; and what little we know of -the money of
other Greek cities, is chiefly by comparifon with
this.

The current coin of Athens, was the fllver
Drachm, which they divided into 6 Oboles, and flruck
filver pieces of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Oboles, of half an
Obole, and a quarter of an Obole (2). Their larger
coins above the Drachm were, the Didrachm, the
Tridrachm (3), and theTetradrachm ; which lafl: they
called Stater, or the flandard.

It does not appear that they coined copper till the
26th year of the Peloponnefi’an war, when Callias
was a fecond time Archon (4^. It was foon after
publickly cried down; and the conclufion of the pro-
clamation was to this effedt, that, filver is the lawful

(9) See Ariftophanes, Ranse ver. 733. Polybius, in Excerpt.
Leg'. § 28. AoTWffav Js AIVwAoj dfiyvpi'tiv ’ArlixS

X. T. A. and § 35. ’Apyup/a Jotw ’Avt/o;^©> ’At7jkou

a^ffov, X. T. A.

(1) Xenophon arep) mpocrc^uu. c.. 3. Ka» ot xpyvpiou

xaXrjv ipiTToptxv E^ayo'.crtv’ oVoo yap- dv ttuXuo-iv auxo, -sravTap^ou
■stAhov tou xp^ai'ov XxjU^ochc\j(riv.

(2) The piece of 50 gr. in P. II. T. 48. .of the Pembroke
coliedlion, feems to be a Pentobolon and the firft in that plate
a Hemiobolion. Mr. Stuart brought both half and quarter Oboles
of filver from Athens.

(3) Pollux, L. IX. c. 6. § 60, There is a half Tridrachm of
^Alexander in the Britifti ?vluleum.

(4) See the Schol. on ver. 737 of Ariftophanis Ranse.

money

, [ 47° ]

money of Athens (5). But they Teem to have had
copper money not long after; for Theophraftus,
I^emohhenes, and fome of the Comic Poets, quoted
by Athenaeus and Pollux, mention theChalcus, which
was the name of the copper coin (6). Many pieces of
Attic copper are now in being (7); and Vitruvius fays,
they coined copper Oboles, and quarter Oboles (8).

Authors differ in the value of the Chalcus ; fome
fay, it was the fixth part of an Obole (9), others the
Sth (i)i Pliny (fpeaking of it as a weight) the loth
(2) ; and Vitruvius, in the place before quoted, fays,
ibine called the quarter of an Obole Dichalcon,
others Trichalcon. According to Polybius, it feems
to have been the Sth part, for he makes a quarter of
an Obole equal to half a Roman ^^5(3); but the De-
narius palling for 16 AJJes^ and the Drachm for 6
Oboles, if a quarter of an Obole was equal to half an
the Denarius fliouldbe greater than the Drachm,
which it never was. Polybius, therefore, gives this

(5) Ariftoph. Ecclef. ver. 8iO and the following.

(6) Theophraft. Tsip\ ccttovoix;, and Demoft.

henes c. Midiam. Athenxus, L. III. c. 32. and elfewhere. Pol-
lux, L.-IX. c. &. § 65.

(7) Pembroke Coll. P. II. T. 48.

(8) Vicruv. L. III. c. 1.

(9) Suidas, V. ’06oX«f. V. TacXccvrov. and one of the fragments
in the appendix to Stephens’s Greek Thefaurus, col. 217.

(1) Pollux, L. IX. c. 6. § 65, 67. Suidas, v. TertxpTfifjio^iov,
The fragments aferibed to Galen and to Cleopatra in Stephens’s
Greek Thefaurus, col. 215, 217. That aferibed to Diofcorldes
fays, the third part. Thefe fragments fpeak of it as a weight,
not a coin.

(2) Pliny, Nat. Hift. L. XXI. near the end ofthelall chapter.

(3) Polybius, L, II, p. 103. of Cafaubon’s edit.

for

. [ 471 J

for the neareft value of half an As in Greek money,
as it was if the Obole paffed for 8 Chalci j but had
it paffed for lo, he would have faid one 5th of an
Obole, which is nearer to the true value of half an As',
or had it paffed for 6, he would have faid one fixtb,
v/hich is ftill nearer j in either cafe, he would not have
-faid one fourth, as neither 1 o nor 6 admits of that di-
vifion. But though, when Polybius wrote, the Obole
might pafs for 8 Chalci, it is not impoffible that at
different times, or in different places, it may have
paffed for 6, 10, and i2.

It is a common opinion, that the Athenians coined
gold, for which I can find no good authority j and^
from the bed: information I have been able to get,
there does not appear to be any Attic gold coin now
remaining, that was flruck while they were a free
and flourifhing people.

The lexicographers, indeed,, tell us, the Xpv<r^g
^ArjiKog: was equal to the Daric (4), and fpeak of
gold mines at Laurium (5); but no ancient writer
mentions fuch a coin, and all agree that the mines at
Laurium were filver (6).

A paffage in the Frogs of Ariftophanes is, I be-
lieve, the only pofitive proof that can be produced
from any ancient author in favour of this opinion.
In ver. 732 of that comedy, he mentions anew gold
coin. The fcholiaft on this paffage tells us, that in

(4) PqUux, L. IX. C..6. § 53. Suidas, v. TAau^, v«
Harpocratio,. v.

(5) Suidas, V. FAau^i Hefychius, v. Aaupaa.

(6) Thucyd. L. II. § 55. and L. VI. § 91. Xenoph.
zirpcad^v. Strabo, *L. IX. p. 399, and Paufanias at the.

beginning of his hrft book.

-2 the-

[ 472 ]

.the Archonfhip of Antigenes, the Athenians coined
their golden images of Victory ; and the author of the
treatife ne^i epfzlweiccgy § 298, praifes an orator for
the happy choice of his expreflion, when he propofed
this expedient ; but he neither mentions the orator’s
name, nor the time when this happened, nor whether
the Athenians followed his advice j though the fcho-
liaft’s fhort quotation from Philochorus ieems to im-
ply that they did. But if in ver. 732. above men-
tioned, for we read agree

better with ver. 737. where the Poet calls this money
•srovviptx and the fcholiaft on thefe words fays,

perhaps the Poet means the copper money of Callias }
and this comedy was aded in his fecond Archonfhip,
when that copper money was coined.

That they had ho gold coin at the beginning of
the Peloponnefian war, appears from the account
Thucydides gives of the treafure then in the Acropolis,
which conffted of fiver in coin, and gold and fiver
bullion (7) j but he would certainly have mentioned
gold in coin, had there been any.

Therefore the apxocTov vopcia-ptoc. of Ariftophancs
could not be gold, nor the bale Kocjvov of equal

value with the Daric ; whence I conclude, KOjvov
to be the true reading ; and that it was the
copper money above mentioned, which was after-
ward cried down.

Athenaeus tells us that gold was extremely fcarce in
Greece, even in the time of Philip of Macedon ;
but that, after the Phoceans' had plundered the

(7) Thucyd, L. ji. §13. *'

Pythian

C 473 ]

Pythian temple, it fhone forth among the Greeks
(8). Philip conquered thefe Phoceans, and put an
end to the holy war, as it was called.

About the time this war broke out, he took the
city Crenides, on the borders of Thrace, which he
enlarged, and called Philippi, after his own name ;
and he fo improved the gold mines in its diftrift,
which before were of fmall account, that they pro-
duced above a thoufand talents yearly, and enabled
him to coin gold, which he called Philippics (9).

What Athenceus fays of the fcarcity of gold, may
be true, if confined to Macedon, and the poorer
flates of Greece ; but muft not be extended to
Corinth or Athens; for though Thucydides does not
fpecify the quantity of gold that was in the Athenian
treafury at the beginning of the Peloponnefian war,
it was, probably, not inconfiderable ; for the gold
about the flaiue of Minerva weighed 40 talents,
which valued (according to Herodotus) at 1 3 times
its weight in filver, will be found to amount to above
120,000 pounds fterling.

There is a gold coin in the Britifh Mufeum, of
elegant workmanfliip, with the head of Minerva on
one fide, and the owl and oil bottle on the other,
the infeription AGE, and under the oil bottle the let-
ters MH. It weighs 109I Troy grains; but being a
little worn, it probabl}^, when new, came up to the
juft weight of the Roman Imperial Aureus. Whence
we may conclude, that, when this piece was ftruck,
the Athenians had reduced their money to the

(8) Athenaeus, L. VI. p. 231. See Diodorus, L. XVf. p. 527.
Stephens’s edit. (9) Diodorus, L. XVI. p. 514.

VoL. LXI. Ppp Roman

[ 474 ]

Roman ftandard, and that their Drachm was then
equal to the Denarius. But I cannot find there is
any Attic gold now extant, that was coined before
Greece became fubjedt to the Ronians.

The Perfian Daric Teems to have been the gold
coin beft known at Athens in ancient times. This
they called Stater (i), probably becaule it was the
ftandard to which their Drachm was onVinallv
adjufted, which the Lexicographers tell us was half
its weight (2).

Though Greaves fays, the Daric is ftill found in
Perfia, it is certainly very fcarce, and perhaps of
doubtful antiquity.

For want, therefore, of the Daric, we mufi: have
recourfe to the gold of Philip, who took either that
coin or the Attic Drachm for his ftandard j as will
appear, when I come to compare his money, and
that of his fon Alexander, with the Attic filver.
This he probably did, with a view to his intended
invafion of Alia ; for the ancient fiandard of Macedon
was very different from that of Athens, as I fliall
fhew hereafter.

Philip and his fon Alexander coined gold of 4, 2,
I, and half an Attic Drachm. Mr. Duane hath a
coin of Berenice, the wife of the fecond Antiochus,
weighing a quarter of a Drachm. In the Pembroke
cclledion is a gold medal of Lyfimachus, of 8
Drachms; and Mr. Duane hath another of the like
w'eight. But the Daric or was didrachmal,

(1) Herodotus, L. VII. § 28. and Thucyd. L. VIII. §28*
call it STarii/) ^xpetnoi.

(2) Pollux, L. IV. c. 24. Hefychius, v. X^uo-ouf.

5

and

[ 475 ■]

and there are more of that ipecies now remaining,
than of any other.

In the Britifli Mufeum are three gold coins of
Philip, which have all the fharpnefs ot new money
frefh from the mint. The heavieft of them weighs
above 132I. Troy grains. A fourth, in the fame
colledion, hath a hole punched through it ; but in
other refpedts, feems as perfect as the red, and is the
heavieft but one, of the four. There is likewife, a
double Philippic of Alexander, perfedt and unworn,
which weighs 265 grains.

There are two more of Philip, in this colledlion,
each weighing 132 grains, one of Alexander, of
1324, and another of 131-fj hut thefe are all a
little worn, therefore I fhall make no ufe of them.

Mr. Stuart brought home a Philippic, which,
though not fo fair in appearance as the bed in the
Britidi Mufeum, weighed 133-ro- grains.

Out of feven of the mod perfedt gold coins of
Philip and Alexander, in Mr. Duane’s colledtion,
four weighed 133 grains each. He hath a mod
beautiful coin of Alexander of Epirus, brother to
Olympfas, the mother of Alexander the Great,
weighing 1324. grains; the workmandiip is exqui-
dtely fine, and as perfedt as when it was fird druck.

Greaves tells us, he bought at Alexandria a Phi-
lippic of Alexander, which he thought the faired in
the world, weighing exadtly 133^- Englifii grains.
But, to bring it up to the dandard of his Tetradrachm
of 268 grains, he luppofes it might want half a grain,
either by time, or the mint (3). His mentioning

(3) Greaves, p. 7a.

P p p 2

the

[ 47^ ]

the mint fhews, he could not difcern any appearance
of wear upon it, therefore 1 fuppofe it was perfedt.

He found two of the fame weight in the pofTeffion
of Sir Simonds D’Ewes.

He bought another at Conftantinople, which
weighed 13-^ grains; with which comparing one of
Sir John Mariham, he found the latter a grain
deficient.

He quotes Snellius for two gold coins, one of
Philip, the other of Alexander, eacii weighing 179
Dutch grains, which, he fays, anl'wer to 1341 Englifli
(4). But in this he is miftaken, for they anlwer to
no more than 13244. (5). Snellius, to favour an ilf
founded hypothefis ot his own, fuppofes they had
loft fomewhat of their firft weight (6), but does not
fay they had any fuch appearance; and as they out-
weigh the heavieft in the Britilh Mufeum, it is pro-
bable they were perfedl.

In the Pembroke coIle6Hon are two gold coins,,
one of Philip, weighing 134 grains, the other of

(4) P. 71.

(5) Eilenfchmld. p. 16. fays, Budelius, who was mafter of the

mint at Cologne, found the money-ounce ufed in Flanders and
the United Provinces, to weigh 5794 Paris grains (equal t04754
Troy) and that Gafi’endus found it but 577. See alfo the
Memoires of the Royal Academy of Science, for the year 1767.
pp. 364, 370. 1 weighed the Dutch half marc of 4 ounces,

from Amlterdam, in an excellent balance, andfound it to weigh
3 ounces, 19 p. weight, and 4 grains Troy; which divided by
4, gives 19 p. weight, 19 grains, or 475 Troy grains, for the
weight of the Dutch ounce. This oiuice contains 640 Dutch
grains ; and

As 640 to 179, fo are 475 to 132^^) the weight of Snellius’s
coins.

(6) See Snellius de re nummaria, Vol. IX, of the Thefaiurus
Antiquitatuni Grsccarum, eg!. 1583.

Alexander,

[ 477 3

Alexander, weighfng 266, which, by their weights,
fliould be perfeft

The diherence between the heavied and the
lighted of thefe pieces fuppofed to be perfedt, does
not amount to two grains in the Philippic; and a
meaiii taken from inch a number of coins, fo
equally fized, mud be very near their original
dandard weight.

In the following table, I have not inferted any
piece, that L had reafon to believe was fenfibly de-
ficient of its original weight. Therefore I have'
omitted Sir John Marfham’s coin of 132 grains,
which being deficient of the lead weight 1 have
found in any perfedf piece, it is mod'probable it was
a little worn. I have likewife omited three coins
in the Pembroke colledtion, of 132 grains each, for
the fame reafon.

The pieces under the letter M, are from the
Britifh Mufeum; thofe under D, from Mr. Duane’a
Golledlion ; that marked S, Mr. Stuart’s ; G, is the
mark for thofe mentioned by Mr. Greaves; Sn. for
the two of Snellius ; and P, for two from the Pem-
broke colledlion. The parts of a grain are given in'i
decimals,-, for. the convenience of adding them..

C 47*^ ]

Troy grains,
Philip , . M. 132,62

with a hole
Alexander . .
Piiilip . . . D.

Alexander . . .

Philip . . . S.
Alexander . G.

Philip . . . Sn.
Alexander . . .
Philip . . . P.
Alexander . . .

132,23

I32,OJ{

132,46

265,3 '

133

133

^33

133

132*5

132.5

265.5

133,7

133,5

133,5

133,5

133

132,85

132,85

134-

266

24)3190,09

Mean Philippic 132,92

As none of thefe pieces can have increafed theii*
original weight, but, on the contrary, fome may
have loft a fmall part of it, we may fairly conclude,
that the ftandard weight of the Philippic was not lefs
than 133 Troy grains j but probably fome what
greater*

In

[ 479 ]

In the Pembroke colledion is a gold coin, or ra-
ther medal, of Lyfimachus, weighing 540 grains.
Mr. Duane hath another of them, which wants but 24
grains of the fame weight. This piece fliould
weigh 8 Drachms, and is of great importance on
that account, as large weights and meafures are
more to be depended on, in inquiries of this kind,
than fmailer. According to this coin the Philippic
fhould weigh 135 grains, and the double Philippic
270 : but none have yet been found to come up to
thefe weights. Some few filver Tetradrachms ex-
ceed 270 grains, but they are very uncommon, and
far the greateft number of fuch as feem mod: per-
fedt, full diort of 266. Neither is the ancient filver
fo corredldy fized, as to (land in competition with the
gold of Philip and Alexander. Therefore, either the
mint-weights of Lyfimachus were heavier than the
Philippic flandard, or his money was lefs carefully
fized: or, laftly, this piece, being intended rather for
a medal than a coin, was purpofely over fized..

The filver coins of Philip and Alexander confirm,
what the lexicographers tell us, that the golden Stater
of Philip, weighed two Drachms.

In the Britifli Mu feu m is a Drachm of Philip,
weighing grains, and another of Alexander of.

66], both perfedt. In the Pembroke colledlion is
one of Alexander, which weighs 67 grains. Thefe*
give a didrachm of 1 34], 1334, and 134 grains.

■Seven.

26;I

266

265I

264^

2641

264

263^

>4)iS55i

[ 480 ]

Seven perfedl tetradrachms of Alex-
ander, out of a much greater number,
in Mr. Duane’s colledlion,give a mean
Didrachm of a little more than 132I
grains, as in the margin ; which
anfwers near enough to the gold
coins, to prove, that the Drachm was
the common flandard, both for the
gold and filver money.

Mean

I (hall now Hiew, that this was the Attic Drachm.

The lilver Stater, or Tetradrachm, is the mod:
common Attic coin now remaining, and fome of
them are in very perfeft prefervation. They all
have the head of Minerva on one fide, and an
owl on the other, with the infeription A0E.
Difenfchmid obferves, that they appear, by the
workmanOiip, and other circumftances, to be of
different ages (7).

The mod; ancient are very rude work (8), of a
fmall diameter and thick. He had one of them in
the mod: perfedl prefervation, weighing 273^ Troy
grains 5 and there is one like it in the Britidi
Mnfeum of 272 -%. grains.

The fecond fort is fomewhat better work, though
rude, and the owl dands in a fquare; but in other
refpefts is like the former. The eighth and ninth
.coins P. II. T. 48. of the Pembroke collection,

(7) Eifenfchmid. p. 44.

(8) See Eifenfehmid’s figure, and c. 7. of P, II. T. 48. of the
.Pembroke colle«dion.

feem

[ +Sr ]

'ifeem to be of this fort. The eighth weighs 266
grains; and by having the weight put to it, and not
to either of the other two in the fame plate, I fuppofe
it is well preferved, and perhaps perfect. Thefe
and the above mentioned have an olive branch
coming from the edge to the owl ; and both, by the
rudenefs of the work, fhould be older than the
time of Pericles, under whofe adminiftration
fculpture flourilhed at Athens.

The work of a third fort is more elegant, though
not highly finifhed. Its diameter is equal to that of
an Englifh half crown. The face of Minerva is
beautiful; the owl Hands on an oil bottle, and is en-
compalTed by two olive branches, and, befides the in-
fcription AGE, hath fome monograms and lymbols
near the owl.

A fourth fort, of the fame lize, is generally higher
finifhed ; and befides the infcription AGE, hath inftead
of the monograms, a name or names about the owl,
perhaps of the mint-mafters, or, as Mr. Stuart con-
jectures, of the owners of the mine that produced
the filver. Thefe like wife have commonly fome
fymbol near the owl. Some of them have a letter on
the belly of the oil bottle, and two letters under it,
as it were in an exergue. They feem to be of a later
date than the laft mentioned ; for none that I have
feen have the E for H, or the O for Xi in the names,
though they retain the E in AGE; but the long vowels
did not come into ufe at Athens till after the Pelo-
ponnefian war, as appears by inferiptions now remain-
VOL. LXI. Qji q ing.

[ 4«2 ]

ing (9), therefore, thefe rauft have been ftruck after
that timei and if any nowremain, that were ftruck dur-
ing that war, they muft be thofe v/ith monograms.

The Attic money is not fo equally fized as the
Philippic filver. Mr. Duane hath a Tetradrachm with
the letter K on the oil bottle, and AI under it, infcribed
MENTXIP MOSXIXIN, which weighs 271 1 grains,
and another with the fame letters on and under the
oil bottle, infcribed KAEOOANHS EniOETHS, in-
as perfect prefervation, which weighs but 265 grains.

An Attic Tetradrachm in the BritiHi Mufeum,
which appears to be but little worn, and not other-
wife diminilhed, weighs but 247I grains.. We can
hardly fuppofe, that this was ftruck to the fame
ftandard as Eifenfchmid’s ancient Tetradrachm of
above 273 grains. That in the Pembroke colledUon,
of 207 grains, hath probably been filed on the edge.

There are, however, a. confiderable number of
Atiic Tetradrachms, that anfwer in weight to thofe of'
Philip and Alexander, as nearly as can be expected,
from coins fo unequally fized. Mr. Stuart brought
a very ancient one from Greece, weighing 265!
grains; Mr. Duane hath one of the like age, which
weighs 2651 ; they are both well preferved, and can
have loft very little of their original weight: one, with
a monogram and fymbol, of 2665 grains; another,,,
infcribed -)-ANI of the fame weight, two of 265
grains, and one of 265I. Thefe anfwer fo^ nearly

(9) See Montfaucon’s Palaeographia Grasca, p. 1 35. and the Mar-
mor Athenienfe, lately publifhed by Mr. Chambeif. The Scho-
liaft on ver. 688 of Euripides’s PhcEnilBe dates the introdu cation
, long vowels into Athens, in the Archonfhip of Euclides.

to

C +83 ]

to the weights of Alexander’s Tetradrachms, that we
cannot doubt of the equality of his ftandard to that
of Athens. And the gold Philippics of him and his
father are fo corre<flly fized, and fo perfect, that the
mean Didrachm derived from them, of 133 Troy
grains, muft be very near its juft weight ; and its half,
66§, that of the Attic Drachm.

§ II. Of the Eginean and Eubdic Talents.

THE Attic was not the only money-talent
ufed in Greece. Hiftorians and others mention the
Eginean and the Euboic Talents. The former
weighed 10000 Attic Drachms, but, like other Talents,,
contained only 6000 of its own j which being fo
much heavier than the Attic, the Athenians called it
'ss'ct^sioiv or the thick drachm This

Talent was ul'ed at Corinth, as appears by a paftage in
A. Gellius, where the Corinthian Talent is valued at
10000 Attic drachms (2): and as Corinth was a
place of great trade, it was probably ufed in moft of
the cities of the Peloponnefus.

If the Attic Drachm weighed 66 1 Troy grains, the
Eginean fhould weigh 1104.; which, to avoid frac-
tions, and becaufe our Attic Drachm is rather under-
fized than otherwife, I fhall call in.

There are Macedonian coins, (truck before Philip
coined gold, that anfwer to this ftandard. One of
Philip, in the Pembrokecolletion, weighs 224 grains,

(1) See Pollux, L. IX. c. 6. § 86 and 76.

(2) A. Gellius, L. I. c. 8.

Q q q 2

Mr.

[ +84 ]

Mr. Du ane hath a filver coin, of cither the firfl: or
fecond Alexander, which weighs 447I grains ; three
of Philip, of 22 I each ; another of Philip, of 223 + ;
and a fifth, 223 The mean Drachm from thefe
fix coins is 1 1 1 ^ grains, wliich comes as near to the
Eginean drachm, as can be expe6ted from fo fmall a
number of filver coins. Therefore, the Eginean
Talent mufi: have been the fiandard of the Macedonian
money, till Philip changed it.

It appears likewife to have been the fiandard of
the Ptolemaic money in Eygpt.. Mr. Duane hath a-
gold coin of the Ptolemies, like c. i. T. III. of the
Pembroke collection, weighing nearly 27! grains;,
Mr. Stuart another, weighing fuppofing each

was a quarterof the Drachm; the former will give it
almoll 110 grains, the latter' io8-| ; but they are
both a little worn. Mr. Duane hath a gold coin of
Arlince, like c. 3. T. III. of the Pembroke col-
lection, which weighs 430 grains; and Dr. Hunter
hath another of the fame weight, vyhich give a
Drachm of 107-J grains. Dr. Hunter hath likewife
a perfect filver coin of one of the Ptolemies, weigh-
ing 221 grains, another of 220, and a third of 109H
but the two laft are a little worn. ‘ The Ptolemaic
gold coins in the Pembroke collection give the
Drachm from 107 to 108 grains. As the piece of
221 grains wants but half a grain in the Drachm of
the Eginean ftandard, and that of 107 but four
grains, we may fairly conclude that Talent to have
been the money ftandard of the Ptolemies. And not
only fo, but that it was originally Egyptian. For
what ftiould inducePtolerny, to relincjuilh the ftandard
cftabliftied by Alexander, and ufcd all over Afia and

the

[ 4^5 ]

tTie greater part of Greece, but that he found the*
Eginean Talent eftablifhed in Egypt, when he pof-
feffed himfelf of that opulent kingdom.

Yet fo imperfeft are the accounts now remaining, of
the ancient weights, that no writer hath mentioned
this Talent, or one like it, as ufed in Egypt. On the
contrary, Pliny tells us, on the authority of VarrOy.
that the Egyptian Talent weighed 8o Roman pounds-

(3) . But this is undoubtedly a falfe reading, and for
lEgyptium we flaould read Eubo'icurn'y for Pliny is
fpeaking of the riches of Afia, where the Euboic
Talent was ufed for weighing. gold ; and we know the-
weight of that Talent was fettled at 80 Roman
Pounds, by the treaty between the Romans and
Antiochus.

The fragment of weights and meafures afcribed to
Galen, makes the Egyptian Mina to weigh 16 Ounces

(4) ; and confequently,- the Talent 80 Roman Pounds.
But this Talent could not be the ftandard of the Pto-
lemaic coins.

There is a pafTage in Pollux which makes the
Egyptian Talent contain 1500 Attic Drachms (5).-
But this is an injudicious interpolation- in the laft edi-
tion of that author..

The fragment afcribed to Cleopatra, and one that
follows it, mention a Ptolemaic Mina of 18 Ounces,,
w'bofe Drachm fhould weigh 75 ^. Troy grains j.. and
Cleopatra fays,there was an Egyptian Drachm, .whichi
weighed but the fixth part of the Attic,

(3) Nat..Hift.L.XXXm. c. 3.

(4) Stephani Thef. Gvxc, t. IV, col. 25.

(5J L. IX,. c. 6. § 86,.

[ 486 ]

''Galen (6) and the fragment afcribed to Dlofcor-
ddes fay, the Mina of Alexandria weighed 20 Ounces,
cr 120 Drachms. By Drachms, Galen certainly-
meant Denarii of 8 in the Oui>ce; for he tells us, that,
in his time, a Drachm was always underftood to mean
what the Romans call a Denarius (7). The Drachm
of this Mina fhould weigh 84 grains.

Laftly, Feftus fays, the Alexandrian Talent con-
tained 12000 Denarii (8). If by Denarii he meant
Attic Drachms, this Talent fliould be jufl double the
-Attic.

None of thefe talents could be the ftandard of the
Ptolemaic money. Though, if Galen’s Alexandrian
Mina weighed 160 ancient Attic Drachms, its Drachm
would weigh io6.1 Troy grains, which comes near
to the Ptolemaic ftandard. But the coins require a
greater weight, and the Eginean Mina diould weigh
1 66.1 Attic drachms.

The Euboi'c Talent certainly came from Afia ; for,
Herodotus tells us, the Kings of Perfia weighed their
gold by that Talent (9). In the fame place he in-
forms us, that the Babylonian Talent weighed 70
Euboic Minas. Pollux fays, it weighed 70 Attic
Minasi(i). Therefore the Euboic Talent lEould be
equal to the Attic. But iElian tells us, it weighed

(6) See the word Mva in the index to Stephens’s Greek
Thefaurus.

(7) Tlpo^nKov oTi xiyouSpj vwj tv Toiovroif oi’KO.friv,

oTTip P'upt,x7oi Sluudpiov ovopccl^ov(Tiv. Galen, L. VIII. De compof.
medicam. as quoted by Gronovius, L. II. c. 6. De Pecun. Vet.

(8) Feftus, De Verborum Signif. v. Talentum.

(9) Herod. L. III. § 89. (i) Pollux, L. IX, c, 6, § 86.

72

[ 4*^7 T

72. Attic Minas (2)} and if fo, the-Euboic Talent'
Ihoiild be heavier than the Attic, in the proportion of
72 to 70.

An article in the treaty between the Romans and
Etolians, recorded by Polybins (3), whereby the lat-
ter were to pay a certain number ofEuboic Talents,
in filver of Attic finenefs, feems to favour this ine-
quality of the two Talents : for, had they been equal, ,
there would have been no occalion to fpecify the
quality of the filver by the ftandard of one country,
and its weight by that of another.

But, if the EuboicTalent was the ftandard u fed in
the commerce between Greece and Afia (as it feems
to have been)* both countries were concerned to keep
it up to its juft weight ; which was a fufficient reafon
for the preference given to it by the Romans, on
account of its authenticity, wliether the Attic Talent
was equal to it or not.

And there is a circumftance very ftrongly in favour
of their equality, which is, that it Philip changed the
inoney-ftandard of his own country, with a view to
the invafion of Afia, (as is highly probable), he cer-
tainly adopted the ftandard ot the Daric, which was
the Euboic Talent, by which the Kings of Perfia
weighed their gold. But his money anfwers to the
Attic Talent, as I have ftiewn above.

Pollux no where mentions the Euboic Talent;
and if he took his eftimate of the Babylonian Talent
from H erodotus, he certainly thought the Euboic
Talent was equal to the Attic.

(2) Var. Hift. L. I. c. 22.

(3} I'y'yi^* Excerpt. Legat. § 28.

But

[ 4«S ]

But the numbers in the account Herodotus hath
given of the revenue of Darius, as they now ftand,,
difagree with each other, and muft be faulty in more
places than one ; and as probably in his value of the
Babylonian Talent as elfewhere.

He tells us, the King of Perfia weighed his filver by
the Babylonian Talent j therefore, that muft have
been reckoned the filver Talent of the empire, and was
probably the ftandard of their filver coin,

Xenophon, in his account of the expedition of Cyrus,
fays, the Afiatic Siglus was worth yl Attic Oboles
j(4). This coin feems to have been the Drachm of
the Babylonian Talent; and if that Talent weighed 72
Attic Minas, the Siglus was really worth but 74.
oboles ; but the place Xenophon here fpeaks of was
near Babylon, where the Attic money was unknown
and confequently undervalued in common currency,
This however (hews, that, if the Babylonian Talent
■was the ftandard for the filver coinage in Perfia, its
weight probably exceeded 70 Attic Minas.

The lame author tells us, that Cyrus paid Silanus
the Ambraciot 3000 Darics for ten Talents. There-
fore, the Talent of filver was worth 300 Darics. And
if 3000 Darics were coined out of the Euboi'c Talent
of gold, 300 weighed fix Euboic Minas: and fup-
pofing the Babylonian Talent to weigh 72 fuch Minas,
the price of gold, at that time, was twelve times its
weight in filver, as Plato, who was Xenophon’s con-
temporary, tells us it was (5).

By the former of thefe paffages, it appears proba-
ble that the Babylonian Talent weighed above 70

(4) Xenoph. Expcd. L. I. (5) Plato, in his Hipparchus. '

Attic

2

C 489 ]

Attic Minas; by the latter, that it weigheJ above 70
Euboic Minas ; and if Pollux took his value of the
Babylonian Talent from Herodotus, as the text now
ftands, andiTlian his value of the fame, from a more
correft copy of that author, or from Ibme better
authority, the Euboic Talent muft have been equal
to the Attic.

§ III. Of the Roman Money.

PLINY hath given the following hiflorical ac-
count of the Roman coinage : “ Silver was firlt

coined at Rome in the 485th year of the City,
when Ogulnius and C. Fabius were Confuls,
“ five years before the fird Punic war. And the
“ denarius was made to pafs for ten pounds of cop-
“ per; the quinarius, for five; and the fefterce, for
“ two and a half. But the weight of the As was
reduced in the firfi: Punic war, when the republic,
being unable to defray its expences, refolved to
“ coin fix AJfes out of the pound; whereby they
“ gained five parts, and paid their debts. The
‘‘ damp of the As was a double-faced Janus on one
“ fide, and the prow of a fhip on the other ; on the
triens and quadrans a boat. After this, when they
were preffed by Hannibal, Quintus Fabius Maxi-
“ mus being diftator {about the year 537], the As
“ was reduced to one ounce, and' the filver denarius
“ made to pafs for 1 6 Affes ; the quinarius, for eight ;
“ and the lefterce, for four. And the republic gained
one half {upon the copper moneyX. But in the pay
VoL. LXl. K r r “of

«c

[ 490 ]

“ of the army, the foldier always receiVed a filver
“ denarius for ten JJfes. The ftamp of the filver
money was a chariot and a pair, or a chariot and
four horfesj whence they were called and

^adrigatt. The As was foon after reduced to half

an ounce, by the Papirian Law. What is now

“ called the VidoriatjWas coined by the ClodianLawj
before which, it was imported from Illyricum as
merchandize: its flamp is a Vidory, whence it
takes its name. The gold money was coined fixty
two years after the fiver, and the fcruple paffed
for twenty fcfterces, which, as the fefterce was
** reckoned at that time [z| Afffes'], made the pound of
“ gold worth nine hundred Jilver denarii (i) [of i6
“ AJjeseach\. It was afterward thought proper to coin
forty pieces out of the pound of gold. And our
Princes have, by degrees, diminifhed their weight
to 45 in the pound (2).”

Thus far Pliny, whofe date of the firfl coinage of
filver is confirmed by Livy (3).

The Denarii now remaining are of various kinds.
The mofi: ancient are the Bigati and ^adrigati^y\v\x\g^
on one fide the head of a woman in a helmet, with

(1) The common reading is feftertios DCCCC, which I fliall
confider hereafter.

(2) Plin. Nat. Hift. L. XXXIII. c. 3. In moft editions of
Pliny before Hardouin, the numbers 40 and 45, are thus writ-
ten X. XL. M. and X. XLV. M. whence Agncola and Snellius
have fuppofed the M. after the former number, to be a miftake
of the tranfcriber for II. and that after the latter for III. But
Hardouin in his note on this pafTage hath fliewn the M. in both
places, to be fuperfluous. In the laft claufe, I read minutijjhne
verOf not minutijffime Nero,

(3) See the epitome of L. XV.

the

C 491 ]

the infcription ROMA, and the mark of the Dena-
rius X or X, and fome few XVI, and a Biga or Qua-
driga on the other. The next to thefe in antiquity-
have the head of Roma, or fome other Deity, on one
fide, and on the reverfe, the name of the mintmafler,
or mintmafiers, with hiftorical or emblematical fi-
gures. Many of thefe have the X or X, which con-
tinued to be the mark of the Denarius long after it
pafied for 1 6 yljjes j whence fome have concluded that
it was reduced again to ten AJfes^ contrary to the ex-
prefs teftimony of Vitruvius (4) ; and Tacitus tells us
that the mutinous legions in Pannonia demanded, to
have their pay raifed from ten AJfes^ to a Denarius.
A third fort hath the head of a Conful or a General on
one fide, with an hiftorical or emblematical reverfe.
Few, if any, of thefe have the mark X or ^ upon
them. Thefe three forts are called Confular Denarii,
as having been ftruck during the republican govern-
ment by Confuls. The Imperial Denarii have com-
monly the head of the reigning Emperor, with his
name and titles on one fide, and fome emblematical
figures on the reverfe, with a fuitable infcription.

The Romans coined their firft gold money by the
Scruple, as appears from Pliny’s account, which is
confirmed by the coins j for he tells us the Scruple
pafied for twenty Sefterces, and the reare gold coins
now remaining with the numerals XX, and XXXX, '
which anfwer to the weight of one, and two ancient
Roman Scruples. Thefe have the head of Mars on
one fide, with the numeral letters denoting their value,

(4) Vitruvius, L. III. c. i. So like wife Volufius Maitianus.
Taciti Anna!. L, i. § 17. & 26.

R r r 2 and

[ 492 ]

and, on the reverfe, an Eagle landing on a Thunder-
bolt. The latter coins of this fcrupular ftandard
are like the Denarii of the age in which they were
flruck ; as was the gold of the different ftandards that
fucceeded it.

The Romans did not ufe the Denarius for a weight,
as the Greeks did their Drachm ; till the Greek phy-
ficans coming to Rome, and finding the two coins
nearly equal, prefcribed by it, as they had been ac-
cuftomed to do by the Drachm in their own country.
Neither did the Roman Pound depend on the weight
of the Denarius, as the Greek Mina did on that of
the Drachm ; but the weight of the Denarius depend-
ed on the Pound.

The antient Roman Pound was divided into iz
Ounces, and the Ounce into 24 fcruples (5). And
we learn from Celfus and Pliny, that 84 Denarii were
coined out of the Pound of filver(6)j therefore, if
we knew the true vveight of the Roman Pound, wc
Ihould thence know that of the Denarius.

There are many antient Roman weights now re-
maining, from under an Ounce to too Pounds j
Ibme of them with infcriptions have the appearance of
Ifandards.

Lucas Paetus, from an antient weight of 10 Pounds,
another of 4 pounds, and a third of i pound, infcribed
EX. AVC.D.CAS. in letters of filver, befides three
fmaller of 3, 6, and 9 ounces, all fix pcrfed and

(5) Varro de Re Ruftlca, L. I. c. lO. Collumella, L. V. c. i.
and Volufius Mcecianus.

T Medicina, L. V. c. 17. Pliny, Nat. HiR.

L. aXaIII. c. 9.

(7) See Thef. Antiq. Roman. Vol. XI. col. 1661.

agreeing

C 493 ]

agreeing together, determined the antlent Pound to
contain ii ounces, lo fcruples, modern Roman
Weight (8). But where he gives the weight of
Vefpaiian s Congius (9), he makes ten antient Roman
Pounds to weigh ^ pounds 6 ounces 10 fcr. 10 gr.
modern weight. The modern Roman ounce con-
tains, like the antient, 24 fcruples, the fcruple 24
grains. ^ Therefore, according to this determination,
the antient Roman Pound Ihould weigh 1 1 ounces,
10 fcr. 154 gi*. modern weight, which is equal to
50124. Troy grains, if the exaa weight of the mo-
dern Roman ounce be 438 Troy grains, as Greaves
reckons it. Bi*t Paetus ufed a Reelyard, which is a
very fallacious inftrument.

Gruter hath exhibited a confiderable number of
ancient Roman weights(i). Such of marble, from
I to I o pounds, as were intire, have neither mark
nor infcripiion. His two heavieR weigh p pounds
8 ounces each, modern Roman weight, which give
an antient Pound of 5081 Troy grains. Such of the
reR as are fuppofed to be intire, make it under 5000.
His lefler weights vary confiderably. The Triens of
RuRicus gives a pound of 5092 Troy grains ; his
Sextans one of 5246. Among the brafs weights are
twoinfcribed AD. A VG VST. TEMP. C.P. One of
five Pounds, weighing 5 pounds 2| ounces, makes
the ancient Pound equal to 5475 Troy grains ; the
other is a Triens, and weighs 3 ounces, 19 fcr. 4 gr.
which gives 4992 Troy grains for the Roman
Pound.

»

(8) Thef. Antiq. Roman. Vol. XI. col, 1619.

(9) Ibid. col. 1635.

(1} Gruter’s Infcriptions, p. ccxxl.

Fabretti

[ 494 ]

t

Fabrettl blcimes PjEtus for n^aklng the ancient
Roman Pound lighter than the modern (2), and pro-
duces ten ancient weights, to prove the contrary.
Three of them are of brafs, and by their infcriptions
have the appearance of public ftandards. One, with
the mark X, weighs 10 pounds ^ oz. 14 fcr. modern
Roman weight, which, reduced to Troy grains, give
5500I for the antient Pound. Another, marked V,
weighs 5 pounds, 2| oz. and gives 5475 Trey grains
for the antient Pound. A third marked II, weighs
2 pounds, I oz, p fcr. which makes the ancient
Pound amount to 5557 Troy grains. His white
marble weight hath no other infeription but the mark
I,- for one pound, and weighs 13 ounces, i| fcr.
equal to 5721 Troy grains. The reft of his weights
are from five ounces to three fcruples, and give an
ancient Roman Pound from almoft 5500 Troy grains
-to above 5780.

At the end of Eifenfehmid’s preface, we find two
AJjes libraleSj one equal to 5407I Troy grains, the
other to 5315I-; and a ^ladrujjis of 21351 Troy
grains, which gives a pound of 5337I.

According to Fabretti’s weights, the ancient Roman
Pound could not weigh lefs than 5475 Troy grains,
which is much greater than can be derived from any
other evidences, as I ftiall ftiew hereafter. But, as
many of the abovementioned weights have the ap-
pearance of public ftandards, I have thought proper, to
take more particular notice of them, than writers on
this fubjed; have commonly done.

Both Villalpandus and Greaves relied on the
Congius of Vefpafian for the ftandard weight of the

(2) Fabretti infeript. p. 523.

Roman

C 495 ]

Roman Pound, not doubting ‘its authenticity, though
the note in Gruter lays, fome have fuTpcded it (ri).
What foundation they had for fuch fufpicion, does not
appeal i but it is very difficult, to counterfeit the
genuine cracks and corrolions of antiquity, in a veflel
of this kind i and Greaves tells us, that while he was
in Italy, there was found, among the ruins at Rome, a
ScMnicongius in brafs, of the fame figure with this of
\efpafian, the lides much corroded with ruff. This
he alfo meafured, and found it to be half of Vefpa-
fian’s Congius (4). But weights are eafily counter-
feited ; and when the remains of antiquity were fo
eagerly fought after, that artiffs found it worth their
while to counterfeit the ancient coins, others mi^ht
counterfeit the weights. ^

The Roman Congius contained ten Pounds weic^ht
of wine (5). Vefpalian’s ffandard is of brafs; Pjetus,
Villalpandus, and Greaves, have given drawings of it;
and Gruter tells us, the infeription was in letters of
filver.

PtEtus filled this veflel to the narrow part of the
neck whh rain water, and weighed it with a ffeelyard.
But this inff rument is liable to great errors ; therefore
his weight, which wants 5I modern Roman ounces
of what Villalpandus found it, is of fmall authority.

Villalpandus filled it to the fame height with fpring
watei , and found it to contain juft ten modern Roman
pounds, which are equal to 52560 Troy grains.

Auzout, filling it likewife to the fame height with
fpring water, weighed its contents twice; and the near

(3) Gruter’s inferiptions, p. ccxxiii.

(4) Greaves, p. ga. in a note.

(5) Feflus de verb, fignif. v. publica Pondera.

agreement

3

[ 496 ]

agreement of its capacity deduced from his weights,
with Greaves’s meafure,by Millet (6), is a proof of their
being very near the truth.

Auzout’s greater weight was 63024 Paris grains,
equal to 516994. Troy j his lefler, 62760 Paris grains,
equal to 514824. Troy (7). It is not laid, at what
time of the year either of thefe weights was taken ;
but the heat in fummer, and the cold in winter,
might have made a much greater difference between
them.

The mean between both is 51591 Troy grains,
which, divided by 10, give 5159 -Vfuch grains for
the weight of tl^dncient Roman Pound.

Fabretti infiffs, that this veffel ought to have been
filled up to the brim (8) j but the part above the
neck feems to have been defigned, either to prevent
the liquor from fpilling when poured out, or for a
fccurity againft the diminution of the flandard, which
Ibch a finifhing rendered imprafticable.

Several objedions have been made to this Pound
derived from the Congius, of which the following
are the moft material.

Firft, whereas the fide of the Quadrantal contain-
ing 8 Congii, fhould be equal to the Roman Foot;
the fide of a cube, containing 8 times this veffel,
exceeds the moft authentic meafures of that foot now
remaining. But, as this relation of the two ftandards
to each other was of an ancient date, when all work-

(6) See Philofoph. Tranf. Vol LI. p. 790.

(y) Divers ouvrages de Mathematique & de Phyfique par
Meir. de 1’ Academic Royale, Paris, 1693, in folio, p. 366.
371.

(8) Fabretti infeript. p. 527.

mznfhip

[ 497 ]

man/hIp was probably very rude and inaccurate al
Rome, we cannot wonder at fuch a driagreeiiaent 5
efpecinlly as both the thape of this veilci and the
infeription fhew it was not adjufted by the foot mea-
fure, but by weight.

Secondly, the fame bulk of any liquor being found
to weigh more in winter than in fummen, we cannot
determine the precife weight of the Roman Pound
from the contents of this vede), unlefs we knew the
feafon of the year in which it was originally adjufled.

Thiidly, Villalpandus fee ms to have made -his ex-
periment carefully (9) ; but his weight exceeds
Auzout s lefler weight by above 1000 Troy grains j
though both Lifed fpring water. Now if two curious
perfons, who endeavoured to difeover the exad:
weight of the antient Roman Pounds could differ fo.
much in weighing the contents of the fame veflei,
can it feetn improbable, that the Roman officer, to
whofe department the adjuffing this Ifandard might
happen to belong, ffiould differ as much from its jufl
weight ? But if he happened to be a perfon of accu-
racy, he would take care, that the ftandard of a
meafure of capacity ffiould not fall ffiorttaf its ancient
dimenfions, which is extremely unpopular 5 and,
though he might endeavour to be exadt, he would
radier chufe to err in excels than defe^a. Thei'efore,
this veffel is more likely to give too great a Roman
Pound, than too fmall a one.

Fourthly, this veffieJ was by law to contain ten
Pounds weight of wine; which being lighter than
water, the weights above-mentioned muft be too

(9) Sev Greaves, p. 02.
VoL. LXR S s 6

great*

C 498 j

great.. But probably the Romans of that unphllo-
fophical age when this ftandard was firft eftablifhed
were ignorant of this difference > and it might not
be generally known, or not attended to, even in
Vefpafian’s time; for Remnius Fannius, who lived
long after, treating of the weights of various liquids,
fuppofes the weight of wine to be equal to that of
water,

Nam librae, ut memorant, beflim fextarius addet,

Seu puros pendas latices, feu dona Lyaei,

And though he afterward tells us that fome wines and
fome waters are heavier than others, he does not fay
that water is in general heavier than wine. And even
at this day, when the fpecific gravities of different
liquors are fo generally known, our books of Phar-
macy call a wine pint of any liquor a pound. There-
fore it is not improbable that this ftandard was ad-
jufted by fpring water in the reign of Vefpafian.

But if it was really adjufted by wine, the difference-
may be conftderable ; for, according to Eifenfchmid's
table of the fpecific gravities of various liquids (i),.
that of pump- water is to Burgundy wine in the pro-
portion'of 371 to 3.55 ; and Auzout’s mean weight
of 5159 Troy grains diminifhed in this proportion,
gives but 49361 fuch. grains for the antient Roman*
Pound.

All the above circumftances confidered,.it fcems
more probable that this ftandard fhould give too great
a Roman Pound, than too fmall a one. But as no-

(1.) Eifenfchmid, p, 174., 175.

' • , ‘ thing

' t m )

’ thing certain can be determined from it, we rnurt
have recourfe to the coins, efpecially the gold, which
though not fo corredly fized as the Greek Philippics*
are much more fo than the filver Denarii.

Pliny tells us, that when the Romans firft coined
gold, they made the Scruple pafs for lo Sefterces.

In the tables VI, VII. and X. of the Pembroke
colledion, we find nine pieces* weighing ly prains
261, 33l>5ii,53> 105, 107 twice?, '

That this was the fcrupular coin mentioned by
Pliny appears from the numeral letters XX for 20
Sefterces, on the fmallefl, and XXX on that of 33 1
grains, which fhould be its double; and all the reft
are multiples of fomewhat between 17 and 18 grains,
except the fecond, which is a Scruple and half.
What the mark ^ X on that of 51I grains denotes,
I cannot tell. Savot* and Hardouin(2) call this
figure vV a V, and fay VX flood for 15; but though
the Greeks often placed their numerals from right to
left, I cannot find that the Romans ever did.

Thefe nine pieces fhould contain 34! Roman
fcruples ; Their weight amounts to 608 Troy grains,
which, divided by 34-, give 1744 for the Scruple;
whence the Roman Pound fhould weigh 507,544.

(2) Savot, P. III. c. 7. Hardoain’s note on Pliny. Thi*
piece is 3 Roman Scruples, which valued at 60 Sefterces of 2-| AJfes
to the Sefterce, was worth i^oAffes, or 9 filver Denarii and 6
AJes^ wanting hut 2 AJfes of 9I Denarii. Now in Ptolomy’s geo-
graphical tables, where the degree is divided unciatifn^ after the
Roman manner ; this charafter ftands for one half; theretore
being placed before the X (as on the coin) it might denote 9^,
as I before the X ftands for 9. But Mr. Duane hath a gold
coin with the fame mark, and of the fame impreftion as this,
which weighs but 45^ grains, though it feems to beperfedl.

S s s 3 But

C 5-co ]

But thefe pieces are toa fmall, and too few in
number, to determine this point. Mr. Duane hath
that of one Scruple, in fine prefervation, weighing
almofl i7§ grains. Mr. de la Nauze hath given the
weight of the piece of 3 fcruples with the mark X*
in the French king’s cabinet, which he fays is exadly
64 Paris grains, (3), equal to 52 1 Troy, and gives
17I grains for the Scruple.

This fcrupular ftanckrd Teems to 4iave continued
till Sulla introduced one which Pliny hath not
mentioned, on account, perhaps, of its fliort duration.
It was probably occafioned by the rife of the value of
gold; for when the fcrupular ffandard was hrn:
edablifhed, gold was worth but about ten times its
weight in filver, as I fliall fhew hereafter; but in
Sulla’s time it was much dearer.

Cicero plainly alludes to this alteration in the coin,
when, fpeaking of his kinfman Marius Gratidianus,.,
he fays, that time the money avas in fucb a JiuSluating

Jiate that no man knew what be had (4.) : and both he
and Pliny relate, that the law Gratidianus made in
Sulla’s abfcnce, from Rome, for the regulation of tlie
coin, was fo popular, that ffatues were ere<5ted to him
in every fireet, and incenfe. burnX before them (5).
The intent of this law feems to have been, to relfore-
the ancient ftaHda-rd'in oppofition to Sulla; for it fo :•
provoked him, that, on his return to Rome, hecaufed
all the ffatues to be thrown down (6), and Gratidi- -

(3) Ai'lemoires de 1’ Academia des Infcriptions, Vol. XXX,.
P- 359-

(4) Cicero de Officiis, L. Ill, § 2O,

f5) Cicero, ibid. Pliny, Nat. Hift, L, XXXIII. c. o.,

6) Pliny, L. , XXXIV. c. 6.

anus

[ ]

anus to be cruelly butchered by the hand of Catir-
line (7).

Three coins in the Pembroke colledtion bear the
name of Sulla, and weigh 166, 167, and 168
grains (8). Bouteroue mentions one of 204. Paris,
grains (9), equal to 1674 Troy. If thirty of thefe
were coined out of the Roman Pound, the heavieft:
of the four pieces gives a Pound of 5040 grains..

The ftandard of forty in the pound, mentioned by-
Pliny, feeins to have fucceeded to this of Sulla, and
continued to the- edablifhment of the monarchy-
under Auguflus; for Pliny fays, Pri?icipes imminiiere
pondus and the two heavieft pieces lean find of this*
ftandard, are, one of Pompey, in whole time it feems*
to have been introduced, the other of Antony and
0(ftavius, ffruck after the expiration, of the Triumr-
virate, which differ but the tenth part of a grain irit
weight. They are both in the Britilh Muleum, ih.-
hne prefervation.. The former is like coin 4 Tab. XI.
of the Pembroke colledlion ; the latter, like coin i u
Tab. XII. Butfuch as bear the name Augulfus, which,
be aflumed with the monarchy, are lighter than thofe
of the Triumvirate.

- Pompey’s coin weighs 1 2 8:| Troy grains, the, other-
328^. Mr. Duane hath both thele coins in fine
prefervation, the former weighing 1261 grains, the
latter 127. Thofe in the Pembroke Collcdtion weigh,
1 25 grains each,

(7) Seneca de Ira, E. HE c. i8'j

(^) Tab. Vllf.,

(9} Recherches curieufes des monuoyes de France. P,a-ris,,
j666. in folio,

The.re-

[ 502 ]

There are befides, in the Britifh Mufenm, two of
125 grains, like c. 2, and 4. in Tab. IX. of the
Pembroke colledlion j one of 1244 3*

all very little worn; and a fourth of 1244 gi’ains,
like c. 4. Tab. VII. which feems to be perfedl. Dr.
Hunter hath two perfeft gold coins, one like c. 3.
Tab. VIII. weighing 125I grains; the other like
c. 2. Tab. IX. which weighs 125!.

Thefe ten coins give a mean Aureus of 1264^
grains.

The Pembroke collection contains forty Aurei, from
Pompey to the end of the Commonwealth. One of
them weighs 127 grains; two 126I; fix 126; and
the reft from 125 1 to 123; except two of 121,
which, being probably fomewhat worn, or otherwife
diminifhed, may fafely be rejected. The remaining
38 added to the ten above-mentioned, give a mean
Aureus of 1 254^ grains.

But confidering that thirteen of the forty-eight
weigh from i28f to 126 grains, and that many of
the reft are probably fomewhat worn, we may fairly
take 1 26 grains for the ftandard weight of this coin ;
and the number of pieces under 1 25 grains, that are
vouched for perfeCl, will not allow it to be greater.

Bouteroue mentions two perfeCt Aurei of Julius
Caefar, each weighing 152 Paris grains, equal to 1 24-^
Troy. And Greaves in his firft Table hath marked
three of Julius for perfeCl, which weigh 122I, 1234-,
tnd 124I grains.

If the Aureus of forty in the Pound weighed 1 26
Troy grains, the Roman Pound muft Weigh 5040.

The weight of this coin was gradually diminifhed
by the Emperors, till in Pliny’s time forty-five were

ftruck

[ ]

flruck out of the Pound. He died in the reigh of
Titus j and the mean Aureus of Greaves's table from
Nero to that Prince, inclufive, is under 1 1 2 grains.
That of the Pembroke ColIe6tionfor the fame period
amounts to 113; but Nero’s coins (contrary to
Hardouin’s reading of Pliny’s text) appear to have
been heavier than thofe of Vefpafian or Titus.

Snellius, in his book De re numaria^ hath given the
weights, of eleven Aurei, from Nero to Commodus,
which he fays were all as perfeft as when they came
from the mint. The lighteft weighed 149 Dutch
grains, the heaviefl 153; which anfwer to iio| and
113I Troy. The mean taken from all the eleven,
is almoft 1 12 Troy grains.

Bouterouefound the Aureus from Nero toSeptimius
Severus, to weigh from 133 Paris grains to 138;
that is, from 109-^ to 1 13I Troy. The mean of
thefe two weights is 1 1 grains.

This ftandard continued beyond the reign of Sep-
timius Severus ; and the Pembroke coins from Nero
to that time, give a mean Aureus of almoft 1 1 2 grains.
But we cannot fuppofe all of them to be perfe<5f.
Greaves’s tables make it 113* for the fame period;
but four of his pieces of Hadrian and the Antonines
weigh from 117I to 12 1 grains; which is an un-
common weight for that age, and might poftibly pro-
ceed from an alteration of the ftandard, which did
not continue long. ^ Excluding thefe four, the reft,
give a mean Aureus of 1 121 grains.

Eifenfchmid weighed a great number of fuch as
feemed perfeft to the naked eye, and found the beft
of them to exceed 136 Paris grains, or 1114. Troy.
Butj upon examining them with a glafs, they all ap-
peared

C 504 ]

peared fomehow damaged ; which, fays he, in' To
^heavy a metal, might amount to the lofs of a grain
or. two (i ). But the lofs of lels than a grain is very
'difcernible, without the help of a glafs.

Upon the whole, if the ftandard weight of the
imperial Aureus of forty-five in the Pound, did not
exceed 112 grains, the Roman Pound will weigh
5040 Troy grains, as we found it from the con-
fular Aureus.

Alexander Sevcrus coined pieces of one half and
one third of the Aureus, called Semifles, and Tre-
inifies (2).;. whence the Aureus came to be called
SoJidus, as. being their integer.

Soon after the reign of ti)is prince, the coinage bc-»
came very irregular, till Conlfantine entirely new
modeled it, by coining 72 Solid! of four Scruples,
oiit of the Pound of gold (3), and for the Denarius
fubfiituting the Miliarenfis, of which I fliall igive
'fome account hereafter.

Greaves’s fecond table exhibits twenty-nine of
thefe Solid! from Confiantine to Heraclius, weighing
from 671 grains to jo\. The mean from the twenty-
nine-pieces is 69 grains, which, multiplied by 72,
gives but 4968 grains for the weight of the Roman

' i

(1) EtfenTchtnicj, p. 34.

(2) Lampridius, in Alex. Severo.

(3) Siquis tolidos appendere voluerit, auri co£li VI folidos
■quaternorum fcrupulorum, noftris vultibus* figuraios, adpendac
pro fingulis unciis, XII pro duabus : eadem ratio fervanda & li
materiam quis inferat, ut folidos dedifl'e videatur. Cod. Theod.
de Ponderatoribus, § i. Again, IlluJ autem cautionis adjicimus,
ut quotiefcunque certa fumma .folidorum pro tituli quantitate
•debetur, & auri mafia tranfmittitur, in LXXII folidos hbra
feraiur accepta. Cod. Juftin. L. X, Tit.70. de Sufceptoribus, § 5.

Pound,

[505]

Pound. But if the ftandard weiglit of this coin
amounted to 70 grains, the Pound will weigh C040,
agreeable to what we found it from the Aurti.

. P^^brohe Colledion contains o of thefe
pieces from Conftantine to Juftinian. Five of them
amount to 70 grains, and 29 to 69 ; the reft are
lighter, even to 64 grams. But we do not know what
prefervation they are in. And uulefs tlie ftandard
weight of this com amounted to 70 Troy grains,
Conftantme s Pound muft have been fomewhat de-
ncient of the ancient Standard.

Having thus given as Compleat an account of the
Roman gold, as I have* been able to collea from
authors of credit,^ and my own obfervation, I fhall
proceed to examine the evidence we have of the
vveight of their filver money.

The C^fular filver is fo unequal, that the Ro-
mans muft have been very negligent in fizing their
^eces.^ Villalpandus tells us, that weighing many
Denarii of the fame form, infcription, and apparent
mapitude, and fo like to each other, that they feem
to have been ftruck, not only in the fame aee but
even on the fame day, he found them to differ in
weight, 5, 9, or lo grains from each other (4).
There^ a piece in the Pembroke Colledion, Coin

Roma, and X,

the mark of the Denarius, on one fide, on the other
(4) Cum plures Denario^ appenderemus ejufdem Form* in.

fcripnonis, & pene magnkudinis, atque ita fimiks, ut non fo!u?n
eoderti tempore, fed codem prorfus die, percuflbs fuilTe conjicerei?
tamen eos deprehendimus quinis, novenis, aut denis grand p^n

t L/ tTr & "“’PH.

P- 357* -t en Roman grains are equal to about 7 f Troy.

VoL. Lxr. T 1 1 "^Csftor

r 506 ]

Caftor and Pollux,, with ROMA In the exergue*-
which weighs 81 grains. Another with the like
imprefs on each fide, and V the. mark of the Qui-
narius behind the head, which weighs 33 grains.

A third in the fame page hath the mark XVI behind:
the head of Roma, a biga on the reverfe, with
ROMA in the exergue, which weighs but 54
grains. As thefe pieces feem to be exhibited, chiefly
on account of their uncommon weight, we muft fup-
pofe the lightefc to be perfect.

In the Britilh Mufeum is a coin like the tenth in.
P. 3. Tab. 2. of the Pembroke Collection, which
weighs above 73 grains. Another like the fecond in
P. 3. Tab. 1 8, which weighs 66| grains; and a
third, which feems perfeCl in all refpeCls, with the
head of Roma and X on one fide, on the other a
Quadriga with the infer! ption C N.G E, which weighs-
but 55 grains.

It is difficult to account for thefe differences in the-
v/eight of the fame coin, efpeclally as Pliny feems to,
have been ignorant of fuch inequalities ; for he tells
us of anEaftern King, that wonderfully admired the-
juftice of the Romans in coining all their Denarii of
the fame weight, though the impreffes ffiewed them
to be the money, of - different Emperors (5). Perhaps
the King only admired the -invention of coining,
which was not known in his country ; but Pliny,
who tells the ftory, certainly fuppofed all the Denarii,
were of equal weight. ,

Perhaps the heavy pieces of 73 and 81 grains .
were ftruck at the mint for private perfons, to give

(5) Pliny, Nat. Hift. L. VI. c. 22.

. aw.iy>-

t 507 )

dway m prefents on Birth»days, and New-year’s, as
v/as the cuflom at Rome j and fonie of them may be
modern forgeries : but the light pieces of 54 and 55
grains, imill have been owing to the negligence or
roguery of the coiners j though fome ofthefe too may
be counterfeits.

The, following Table exhibits the weights of forty-
fix of the faireft Denarii in the Britifh Mafeum,
Such of them as are marked w'ith two dots, ai'e a,
little worn, though very little. The Biga:i and
Quadrigati arc didinguidied by the letters B. aidQ.

66.5 :
66,1

04.15 :

^3^33

63.15 :

63.07 :

63^05

62.7
62,43
62,27

6i,95

61,93

6x,8 ;

61.8

61.73

61.73

61,55

61,52

61.5 :
6r,5

61,35

6i>33

61,2

Troy

Q_

B

Q.

Q,

grams

61.15
61,12 :
61,12

61.1 : Q
61,07 : B

60.85 ;

^0,75
60,5 : B
,60,33 ; B
60,3 ; QL

60.2 B
'60,05

'59,95:

59.15 : B
58,92: (T

58.85 :

58,67 : Q.

58.2

58.15
57’37:
5(5,87:

•56.55 CL

55 >0 CL

46)2803,86 Sum total.

60,95 Mean Dei arius.

T t t 2

The

_ [ 5o8 3

The mean weight of the Denarius from all thefe
pieces is 60,95 grains j therefore, had all of them
been perfedt, it might have exceeded 61 grains. But
the mean from the twenty-one that are fo, amounts
but to 60,92. Either of them comes very near to
what Eifenfchmid found it by the like method;
though he rejeded fome pieces for no other reafon but
becaufe he thought them too light.

But a mean from pieces fo unequally fized is not
to be relied on. And it may be queftioned whether
thole of above 63 grains ever palTed as common coin.
Greaves, who had examined many hundred Denarii
Confulares, fays the bell amounted to 62 grains ; but
had he met with any of 63, or even of 62I, it cannot
be doubted that he would have mentioned them in
fupport of his Denarius of 62^ grains from the
Congius. Therefore the pieces of 63 grains and up-
ward mull be very uncommon, whereas they make
above a feventh part of the number in this table.

Hence I conclude, that the mean derived from this
table is of very fmall authority.

But if we take 5040 Troy grains for the weight of
the Roman Pound, as determined from the Gold
coins ; the fcruple will weigh 17I grains ; the Con-
fular Aureus, 126; the Imperial Aureus^ ii2j and
the Solidus, 70 : all which are probable weights of
the feveral Coins; and the Confular Denarius of 84
in the Pound will weigh juft 60 Troy grains.

And this muft be very near its true ftandard
v/eight; for were we to add only half a grain to it, the
Conlular Aureus would exceed 127 grains, which is
certainly too great a weight for. that coin.

4

Though

[ 509 ]

Though Pliny gives no particular account of any
alteration in the weight of the Denarius, it was un-
oubtedly diminished by the Emperors as well as the
Aureus, though by what degrees is uncertain 5 for
Oalen tdls us, that the writers on weights and mea-
fures ^ffered in the number of Drachms [Dei?arii\
theyaffigned to the Ounce; moftofthem making it
to contain yf, fome but 7, and others 8 (6). The

later writers make it contain 8 Denarii, of 3/ fcruplej
each (7). J t

Gi eaves found by examining many Imperial
Denarii, that from Augustus’s time to Vefpafian
“ they continually almoSl decreafed, till, from being
“ the feventh part of the Roman Ounce, they came
now to be the eighth part : and therefore 96 were
“ coined out of the Roman Libra, whereas before,
under the Cbnfuls, 84. From Vefpafian to Alex.
“ beverus, as far as he had obferved, the Silver con-
tinued at a kind of Stay in reSpedl of weight, ex-
cepting only fuch coins as upon fome extraordi-
“ nary occafion, both then, and in the firSt Emperors
time, were Stamped, either in honour of the Prince
“ or of the Emprefs and AuguSta familia, or elfe in,
memory of fome eminent adtion. Thefe laSt mod:
« ufually were equal to the Denarii Confulares, and
« many of them had thefe charadters EX. S. C, or

Under Severus and Gordianus,

“ the Denarii began to recover their primitive weight,

“ but most commonly with a notable abafement’

‘‘ and mixture of allay (8)..” Eifenfchmid hath

(6) Galen, de med. comp. fee. genera, L. III. c.

(7) Rhemnius Fannius, Cleopatra, Diofeorides,

Sq; Greaves, p. 113. ‘

3-

&c..

C 510 ]

'given'the like account of the Imperial Denarius, and
lays he found its weight from Nero to Sept. Sevcrus,
to be to the Confular Denarius in the proportion of

:? ^ (9)*

Having determined the weight of the ancient
Roman Pound from the gold coins, to be 5040
^Troy grains, it feems requifite to fay fomeihing con-
■cerning the heavy weights exhibited by Gruter and
Fabretti, which are irreconcileabie to every other
•evidence.

Thofe with infcriptions are not older than the reign
“of Auguflus^ but neither bis coins, nor thofe of his
fucceffors, will by any means anfwer to fuch flandards,

Fabretti’s mean pound of 5500 Troy grains, ex-
ceeds Auzout’s mean Pound from the Congius by
above three fourths of the antient Roman Ounce,
though that velTel is greater than can be derived from
the greateft probable meafure of the antient Roman
foot.

The weight of fpring-water contained in the cube
of half that.foot (which was the legal meafure of the
Congius) is thus determined.

According to Eifenfchmid’s Table of fpecific gra-
vities (i), a cubic Paris inch of fpring-water fhould
weigh 374 Paris grains in winter, when liquors are
heavieft. Therefore the cube of half the Paris foot
(or 216 cubic Paris inches) muft weigh 80784 fuch
grains.

The greateft probable meafure of the antient Ro-
man foot, does not exceed 974 fuch parts as the Paris
foot contains 1065:^ (2).

(9) Eifenfchmid, p. 33. (i) Eifenfchmid, p. 175.

(a) See the Difcourfcon the Roman Foot, Phih Trauf.Vol.LI .

' Aud

L 511 ]

And as the cube of the Paris foot, is to the cube of
the Roman foot, fo are 80784 Paris grains, to 61725!
fuch grains, the weight of the fpring- water contained
in the cube of half the Roman foot, .

But 617251 Paris grains, are equal to 50634,
T roy ; therefore the Roman Pound, according to this
calculation, fliould weigh 5063* Troy grains, ex-
ceeding that derived from the coins, but by 23^ fuch.
grains.

If, on the other hand, we take Fabretti’s Pound of
5500 Troy grains (equal to 67045 Paris) and reckon
the weight of a cubic Paris inch of fpring-water 374.;
Paris grains (as before), a Congius of ten fuch Pounds
will require a Roman foot of 1 001 fuch parts as the-
Paris foot contains 106544 which exceeds any pro-
bable meafure of that foot.

Thus thefe heavy weights neither agree wjth the-
Roman money nor with the Congius which is a-
circumftance not eafily to be accounted for,, as the
authorities for the larger Pound are indifputable, and’
we do not know that the Romans ufed two weights
like our Troy and Averdepoids.

The Denarius continued to be the current filver
money of the Empire,, till Cjuftantine fubftituted the:
Miliarenhs in its dead.

The price of gold had been increafing a confider-
able time before his reign, which made a new regu-
lation of the money, necelfary. For this purpofe,,
Conftantine divided the Pound of gold into feventy—
two Solid! (3), which was a more commodious.

(3) See the Theod, and Juftiaian Codes quoted in p. 504.

' numbes^'

[ 5^2 ]

number than either 40 or 45, as It divided the Ounce
and half Ounce without a fradion. He likewife
altered the weight of the filver coin, and fixed the
price of the Pound of gold at 1000 pieces of his new
filvcr, which were thence called Miliarenfes (4). This
he feems to have done in imitation of the ancient
coinage j for when the Aureus of forty in the Pound
paired for 25 Denarii, the Pound of gold palTed for
1000.

^ But It was attended with this inconvenience, that
his Solidus could not be exchanged for its true value
in filver; for 1000 divided by 72 is 134.; but itpalTed
for 14 (5), which was more than it was worth, and
made two prices of gold at the fame time ; one the
legal price of 1000 Miliarenfes for the Pound; the
other, the current price, of 14 for the Solidus, which
muft have occalioned dilputes in the payment of
fmall fums.

To remedy this inconvenience, it was thought pro*
per to alter the weight of the filver money, and hav-
ing fixt the price of the Pound of filver at five
Solid! (6), to coin 60 pieces out of it (7) ; which

(4) M»X»ap)iVjov, TO jj'iXiorov T»k Ta %puo-« x/rpas’ puX») yap c!

P«p.a»o» T« ktu yt^txfpfxxTUtrav to ts6(tov rrii

rpotff iva J'» O.UT8 (ru^vjxi t« fAiXixpn(TKX,f «Vi vojUjTjwa
Xaf^avftv puAiapnina iS . Glollse nomicae, quoted by Gronovius,
L. IV. c. 16. de pecunia vetere*

(5) See the preceeding note,

(6) Jubemus ut pro argenti fumma quam quis thefauris fuerit
illaturus, inferendi auri accipiat faeultatem, ita ut pro fingulis
libris argenti, quinos Solidos inferat. Cod. Theod. Dc argenti
pretio, & Cod. Juftin. L. X. Tit. 76.

(7) Gum publica celebrtntur ofEcIa, fit fportulis nummus
argenteus,— nec majorum argentcum nummum fas fit expendere,

retained

C 5^3 ]

retained the name Miharenfes, though the Pound of
Gold was worth but 864.

A fchguaft on the Bafilics tells us, that << One

n ‘s "'“‘‘th 1 2 Folles {of copperX or

„ “ Miharenfis : therefore izSiliq^s are half

a Sohdus, for the whole Solidus is worth 1 2 Mi-
harenfo, or 24 Siliquas (8).- The R6man Pound

f'ln ‘r^c rj?^ Sihquas (9), therefore there were 72
of th^e Solid! in the Pound; and each of them being
worth 12 Miharenfes, the Pound of fiver which

was valued at 5 Solidi, muft have contained 60
Miharenfes.

How many Miliarenfes Conftantine coined out
of^ the Pound of filver is no where faid j but if the
price of Gold was nearly the fame in his reign, as
when 5 Sohdi were worth a Pound of filver, the
Pound mu/l have been worth 144 Pounds of fiver*
and 1000 divided by 14.^, gives 694 for the number
of^ Miharenfes coined out of the Pound. Therefore
It IS probable Conftantine’s number was either 60 or
70. If the former, each piece fliould wei^h 72 «

Troy grains; if the latter, 72,4. ^

Eifenfchmid found the larger filver of Conftantine
to come up to 90 Paris grains, or 72_!j_ Troy : but
the fmaller (which fhould be its half) feldom a-
mounted to 40 Paris grains, or 3 24 Troy ; which

quam qui formari folet, cum argenti libra una in ar^enteas fexa-
ginta dividitur. Cod. Theod. De expenfis ludorum. ^

^ (8) X,,' ?r, A % Ki,drm f&XH, «V1 .S', W.

TO Tp.,0-0^ .S' ir. riSl .ixsV.o,

voiAKrfj.a, iysi fMXKx,pr,<rtoi Ijroi yn^dria, X(T . Schol. in L XXIII

apud Gro|.ov. L. IV. c. ,6. De pccunia v«erc.

(g) bee Rhemnius I annius, and others,

Voc. LXI. u u u leaves

/

[ S'+ ]

leaves it uncertain whether 69 or 70 of thefc Mili-
arenfes were coined out of the Pound. If 69, the
proportion of gold to iilver was alnaon: 14I to i j if

70, 1 4-7- to I. .

In the Gloffas nomicce, quoted by Gronovius and

others, we have an attenapt to fettle the exchange be-
tween the two Miliarenfes and the Solidus.^ The
Gloffographer, giving an account of the different
fums called Folles, fays, “ There is likewife anotlaer
“ Follis, confiding of the fmaller filver which was
“ paid to the foldiers, and thence called Miliarenfes,
“ each of which is worth Siliquas \of and.

“ the Follis contains i25» which make 218 Siliquas
“ and 9 nummi; or 109 of the Miliarenfes now-
“ current and 9 nummi ; which are worth 9 Solidi^,
“ I Miliarenfis, aud 9 nummi, and the Purfe of

pieces of th.s lefler filver, was called a Follis (i.)

This Glofs appears to come from a different hand
from that before quoted, by the abfurd etymology^
here given of the word MtXiocitria-tov ‘t and the author
did not undefftand his fubjea. For the Miliarerifis.
of 60 in the Pound, was undoubtedly worth 2 Siliquas
of gold, and if Conftantine’s was worth H when
this GlofTographer wrote, the two coins mud have
been in the proportion of 8 to 7, and the exchange

(l) ’£?» <l£ yiM (poXXK (TWOcyoiAiv^ upyv^iuv Xcnluu,

txn St ixarov TUV T018TCV MttIuv ccpyv^i'uv xs^driov fV, Tcm^-

TO/ 0 Se ?)oXXi?, dpyvpix roiavrx fxh a otoj80-i xipxjix or»r), xa*
6'. iiToi, zcpos TO i/ui/ xparav, p-tXtapn(ri« p6 . xa» V8(/-p*8j 6 . 7»-
Kj/*£v« iv ^xpxyjJ-xcn voy.!<r^ji.c^x 6', pti\ixpri(riov tv, xa» 0 . t« toi-

vvv pxe xpyvptx g-v^yclo h; xTroSicrf^ou £Ka, xa'i «t(^ txxheiTO (poT^ig.
Glofhe. nomicae apud Gronov. L. IV. c. i6»

[ 515 ]

made in fmaller numbers without fradllons ; for 7
Solidi being worth 84 of the new Miliarenfes, would
exchange for 96 of Conftantine’s.

But thisFollis of 1 25 Miliarenfes, feemstohave been
intended for a more corredl adjuflment of Conftantine’s
filver to his gold than 14 Miliarenfes for the Solidus;
for it was the true value of 9 Solidi, which, at the rate
of 14 for the Solidus, fhouldhave exchanged for 126,
which was one more than they were worth. And
nine was the leaft number of Solidi that could be ex-
changed for their true value in Conflantine s filver ;
which this gloffographer feems not to have known.
For the Roman Pound containing 1728 Sili^uas,
Conflantine’s Miliarenfis was worth but the thoufandth
part of them, or which multiplied by 125

make juft 216 Siliquas without a fradlion, which were
equal to 9 Solidi. Or, fuppofing the proportion of
Gold to filver the fame when the new Miliarenfes were
coined, as when the old ones were, 1 000 of the latter
and 864 of the former, being each worth a Pound of
gold ; divide both numbers by 8, and we ftiall have
125 of the old, worth 108 of the new, which pafied
for 9 Solidi.

Having mentioned the Follis, I fliall endeavour to
explain what it was. The word is Latin, and it
anciently fignified a little bag, or purfe ; whence it
afterward came to be ufed for a fum of money, and
very different fums were called by that name. Thus,
the Scholiaft on the Bafilics mentions a Follis which
was worth but the 24th part of the Miliarenfis ; the
Gloffe nomicje, one of i 25 Miliarenfes, and another
of 250 Denarii (which was the ancient Seftertium) ;

U u u 2

[ 5i6 ]

and three different fums, of 8, 4, and 2 pound of
gold, were each c'alled a Follis (2,).

The Glofibgrapher laff quoted makes 9 Nummi
equal to | of a Siliqua ; for multiplied by I2j’, is
2i8|, which he calls 218 Siliquas, and 9 nummi-.
Therefore 12 nummi were equal to a Siliqua; but
the fcholiaft on the Bafilics makes 12 Folks equal to
a Siliqua; confequently, this Nummus and the fcho-
liaffs Follis are the fame.

The Scholiaft tells us, the Miliarenfis was equal to
24 Folles of copper, therefore the Ounce of lilver
containing 5 Miliarenfes of 60 in the pound, was
worth 120 fuch Folles.

The Gloffographer, defcribing a Follis of 250
Denarii, fays, it was equal to 312 Pounds, 6 Ounces
of copper (3). The Denarius of that age was the
eighth part of an Ounce, therefore an Ounce of lilver
muff have been worth 120 Ounces of copper.

But according to the Scholiaft, the Ounce of lilver
was worth fo many Folles ; therefore the Scholiaft s
Follis was an Ounce of copper. And this Follis being
equal to the Gloffographer s Nummus, that Nummus
was likewife an Ounce of copper.

By a Refcript of Arcadius and Honorius in the
Theodolian Code, the treafury was impowered to

(2) See the Gloflae nomicae, quoted by Gronovius near the
end of c. 16. of L. IV.

(3) ifiy Xsyo[ACv:^ xai

ibjjoipio, ^KUKocnoi T^T esi xU^xg riS'j x«l nyfiecg ug

£xaV« olwotplx XiTpocv d iyfUg y. Gloflce nomicae,
apud Gronov. L. IV. c. 16.

receive.

[ 517 ]

receive a Solidus for 25 Pounds of copper (^Y w’hich
fees the price of that metal at the 125th part of its
weight in filver. But the fame Refeript in Juflinian’s
Code (5) for XXV libris ceris, hath XX Uhrh aris.
Both cannot be right, perhaps neither ; and the true
reading may be XXIV libris ceris^ agreeable to thefe
commerrtators.

Eifenfchmid found Gonftantine’s copper money to
weigh a quarter of a Roman Ounce (6) j therefore
the Scholraft’s Follis, and the Gloffographer’s Num-
mus contained four of them, as the ancient Nummus
contained four AJjh ; but whereas the Denarius
formerly paffed for four Nummi, it now pafTed for

15, and the writers of this age fay it paffed for 60
Affes (7).

§ 4* Of value of Gold in Greece arid Rome,

Herodotus reckons the value of gold to filver in
the proportion of 13 to 1(1). Plato, who wrote
about fifty years after him, fays it was 12 times the
value of filver (2) j and Xenophon, Plato’s contem-
porary, relates, that Cyrus paid Silanus the Ambraciot
3000 Darics for the ten talents he had promifed

(4) pretia quae a provincialibus poftulantur, ita excioi
volumus, ut pro XXV. libris ^ris, Solidus a polTeffore reddatur.
v-/Oa. 1 heodol. de collatione asris.

(5) Cod. Juftin. L. X. Tit, 29.

(6) Eifenfchmid, p. 141.

(7) Hsro, Epiphanius, &c.

( i) Herodotus, L. III. §95.

(a) Plato in his Hipparchus^

hinx

<

[ Si8 ]

him('?); which being Babylonian talents, agrees
with Plato’s eftimate, as I have flievvn above.

After the conqueft of Afia by Alexander, the irn-
menfe treafures of the Kings of Perfia circulating in
Alia and Greece, reduced the price of gold to ten
times its weight in filver, at which it feeins to have
continued two hundred years, or more.

The Romans did not coin gold till above a hun-
dred years after the death of Alexander : and Pliny
gives the following account of its firft coinage.
Aureus fiummus pojt annum LXII percujjus eji quam
argenfcuSy ita ut fcrupulufn valeret Sejiertiis vicenis :
quod e fecit in libras, ratione Sejiertiorum qui tunc erant,
Seflertios DCCCC (4). Now if the Scruple was
valued at 20 Sefterces, the Pound, inftead of being
worth 900, mufl have been worth 5760 fuch
SeRerces: but if for Seflertios DCCGC, we read
Denarios DCCCC, the account will be clear and in-
telligible. The words ratione Seflertiorum qui tunc
erant, imply that the Sefterce of that age was differ-
ent from the Sefterce of Pliny’s time : but the quarter
of the filver Denarius, or Nummus Seftertius of 4
AJj'es, was the fame at both' times, and we know of
no otlier Sefterce but the ancient one of 2|
Twenty fuch Sefterces make 50 Aflesiox the value of
the Scruple of gold; which multiplied by 288 (the
number of Scruples in the Roman Pound) give
14400 Ajfes for the value of the Pound of Gold.
And reckoning 16 Afes to the fllver Denarius (which
it palled for at the time of this coinage) 14400 Ajjes

('i) X'-nop'ion in his Expedition of Cyrus, L. I.

'4) IMiny N<tt. Hift. L. XXXIll. c. 3*

make

[ 5*9 ]

make juft 900 fuch Denarii ^ which is Pliny’s
number.

That the Romans kept their accounts in copper
Sefterces of 2| long after the filver Seflerce

pafled for 4, appears not only from this paliage, but
irom what Pliny lays of the pay of the Army, that
notvvirhftanding the fiher Denarius palled for 16
A[jes^ it was paid to the foldier for 10: which implies
that the Qncedor’s accounts were kept in copper
money, as all the public accounts probably were.
Caefar is faid to have doubled the pay of the foldiers(5),
and it appears from the account Tacitus gives of the
mutiny of the legions in Pannonia (6), that at the
acceffion of Tiberius to the empire, their pay was
but ten Aff’es a day ; and they demanded a Denarius,
not upon pretence that the legionary foldiers had ever
received f6 much, but that ten Ajfes were not an
equivalent for the dangers and hardfhips a foldier
underwen^ Hence 5 Ajjes appear to have been their
pay before Csefar raifed it ; but if this was their pay
on the Quasftor’s book, they adfually (according to
Pliny) received a Quinarius of 8 AJJ'es^ and Casfar only
nominally doubled it ; which is more probable than
that their pay at the time he raifed it, fliould be
under two- pence three-farthings Englidi a day.
Polybius tells us, that in his time the pay of a Roman
foot foldier was two Oboles a day ; that of a centurion
twice as much ; and that of a horfeman a Drachm
(or Denarius) (7). This muft be underftood of what

(5) Suetonius in Julio, c. 26.

(6) Taciti Anna). L. I. § 17.

(7) Polybius, L. VI. p. 484. of Gufaubon’s edition..

they

C 520 ]

they received, not of their nominal pay on the
Qusftor s booK. Tne foot foldier, therefore, was paid
at the rate of 5^ Jjjfes a day, which, in a country
where a traveller might have his lodging and all ne-
celTaries on the road for half an As would be
great pay, had not their cloathing, arms, and tents,
been deducted out of it, as they were (9). But both
the public and private riches of the Romans were
increahng very taft when Polybius wrote, and the
prices of all the neceflaries of life mufl: have increafed
in proportion, therefore it is probable that the foldier’s
pay was raifed to 5 AJJes on the Quasftor’s book, for
which they received a Quinarius, before Csfar aug-
mented it.

If the Pound weight of gold was worth 900
Denarii, 84 of which were coined out of the Pound
of filver, the value of gold to filver muft have been
in the proportion of 900 to 84, or as lO-^. to i . And
if this was the value of gold at Rome fixty-two years
after their firft coinage of filver, it proves that no
fewer than 84 Denarii were then coined out of the
Pound. Now by an article in the treaty with the
Etolians, about eighteen years after this hrft coinage
of gold at Rome, that people were permitted to pay
one third of their tribute in gold, at the rate of one
Pound of gold for ten of filver (1). Therefore gold
was then but ten times the value of filver in Greece ;
and it could not be much higher at Rome, where
filver was eheemed the more uieful metal, as appears
by the limitation of the fum to be paid in gold, to one

(8) Polybius, L. IT. p, 103.

(9) Polybius, L. VI. p. 484. Tariti Annal. L. I. § 17.

(i) Polybius, Excerpt. Legat. § 28. Livy L. XXXVllI.

third

C 521 }

third of the whole; and Piiny obferves, that the
Romans always required the tribute they impofed on
conquered countries fliould be paid in filver, not in
gold (2) ; therefore it is not probable that gold (liould
bear a tnuch higher price at Rome than eltewhere, as
It would, according to this account of its firft coinage

if fewer than 84 Denarii were coined out of the
1 ound of filver.

There is another pafTage in Piiny relating to the
value of gold, which requires correaion. Speaking
of the Bylhne thread, he fays, ^laternis denarih
jcrtpula ejus permutata quondam, ut auri, repcrio (P)
When 96 Denarii were coined out of the Pound, each
of _ them weighed 3 Scruples ; therefore 4 Denarii
weighed 12 Scruples, which was nearly the value of a
hcruple (^gold when Pliny wrote. But Pliny knew
no fuch Denarius ; for he fays, the lawful weight of
that com was the eighty-fourth part of the Pound :
befides, he fpeaks here of former times. Therefore
for ^^lafernis, we fliould read Terms j for 3 Denarii
of S4 in the Pound weighed 10^ Scruples, which
was nearly the ancient value of a Scruple of gold.

From a pafiage in Tacitus, compared with Sue-
tonius, we learn that in Galba’s time the Aureus pafied
for 25 Denarii j the former fays —ut per Lciem
convivu quoties^ Galba apiid Othonem epularetur, cohorti
excubias agenti vtritim centum nummos divideret-, which
the latter exprefies thus, quoties ccend principem exci-
peret, Aure&s excubanti cohorti viritim dividebat (4)
But 100 Nummi were equal to 25 Denarii ; tliere-

SeltlJob ‘Caffiu; ULV.^

Voi. LXI. X X X foi-e

[ 522 ]

fore when 40 Aurei were coined out of the Pound of
gold, and 84 Denarii out of the Pound of filver, the
Pound of gold paffing for 1000 Denarii, was worth
1 Pounds of filver.

When the Aureus of 45 in the Pound palled for
25 Denarii of 96 in the Pound, the proportional va-
lue of gold to filver was as 375 to 32, or a little under
1 1 1 to 1.

Suetonius tells us, that Caefar brought fo great a>
quantity of gold from Gaul, that he fold it through-
out Italy and the Provinces for 3000 nummi the
Pound (5). 3000 nummi make 750 Denarii j and
750 is to 84, as 844 to I. This was its price as
merchandize, when the market was overfiocked, and
the feller in hafte to difpofe of his goods y but what
etfedl it had on the coin, we do not know*

By the diminution of the Aureus for above half a
century before the reign of Conftantine (6), the price'
of gold appears to have been rifing, till it came to.
above 1 4 times its weight in filver j for five Solidi of
72 in the Pound, being valued at a Pound' of fil-
ver (7), the proportion between the two metals was.
ag 144 to I..

§ V. Of the of the ancient Greek and Roman

money.

IT does not appear that either the ancient Greeks,
©r, Romans allayed their money, but coined the

(^c) Suetonius in Julio, c. 54.

(6); See the Pembroke Collection, from Tab. XX. toXXIV.,

f7) S.ee. Ccxl. Jufiinian. L..X. Tit.. 76.. quoted above.

metals

I

C 523 ]

metals as pure as the refiners of thofe times could
make them : for though Pliny mentions two inftances
of the contrary at Rome (i), the example was not
follovvcd, till the later Emperors debafed the coin :
and his expreffion, rnifceiiiur cera faljce monetce^ (hews
he thought the pra£lice illegal.

Though the ancients had not the art of refining fil-
ver, in fo great perfedlion as it is now pradlifed, yet, as
they mixed no bafe metal with it, and effeemed what
they coined to be fine (ilver, I (hall value it as fuch.

Sixty-two Englifli Shillings are coined out of
1 1 ounces 2 p. wt. Troy of fine (ilver, and r8 p. wt.
allay. Therefore, the Proy grain of fine (ilver is
worth ^V-rths of a Farthing. Hence the Attic
Drachm of 66 1 grains will be found worth a little
more than Ninepence farthing j the Obole, a little
more than Three halfpence ^ and the Chalcus, about
~ of a. Farthing.

Buj, for the redudfion of large fums to Englifli
money, the following numbers are more exa6t.

The AtticgDrachm
The Mif]a . .

The Talent

£• . •S’*

. o . o . 9,286

• 3 • ^ 7 •

• ^3 ^ • 3, •

Hence the Mina exprefied in Pounds Sterling and
decimals of a Pouna will be jT, ^,869 j the Talent
4'' 232,15.

^ The Romans reckoned by J/Jh before they coined
filver, after which they kept *their accounts in Sef-
terces. The word Sefiertius is an adjedive, and figni-

(i) Pi'iny Nat. Hift. L, XXXIII. C. 3. ,?C C. 9.

X X X 2

[ 52+ ]

fies two and a half of any fubdantive to which It re-
fers. In money matters its fubftantive is either As>
or pondus ; and Seftertius As^ is two Ajjes and a
half; Seftertium pondus, two pondera and a half,
or 250 Denarii. (2).

^When the Denarius paded for ten AJJes^ the Sef-
tercc of 2 1 AjJes was a quarter of it; and the Ro-
mans continued to keep their accounts in thefe Sef-
terces long after the Denarius pafled for fixteen Ades ;
til, growing rich, they found it more convenient to
reckon by quarters of the Denarius, which they
called Nummi, and ufed the words Nummus and
Sedertius, indifferently as fynonymous terms, and
fometimes both together, as Sedertius nummus ; in
which cafe, the word Sedertius, having lod its ori-
ginal fignification, was ufed as a fubdantive ; for
Sedertius nummus was not two Nummi and a half,
but a fingle Nummus of four Ajfes.

They called any fum under 2000 Sederces fo
many Seftertii, in the mafculine gender; 2000 Sef-
terces they called duo or bina Sedertia, in the neuter ;
fo many quarters making 500 Denarii, which was
twice the Sedertium ; and they faid dena, vicena,
6cc. Sedertia, till the fum amounted to a thoufand
Sedertia, which was a million of Sederces. But, to
avoid ambiguity, they did not ufe the neuter Seder-
tium in the fingular number, when the whole dim
amounted to no more than 1000 Sederces, or one
Sedertium.

They called a million of Sederces Decies num-
mum, or Decies Sedertium, for Decies centena mil-

(2) See Gronoviiis, Dc pecunia vetere, L. I. c. 4.

lia

2

[ 52S ]

lia nummofum, or Seftertiorum (In the mafculine
gender) omitting centena millia, for the fake of
brevity : they like wife called the fame fum Decies
Seftertium (m the neuter gender), for Decies centies
Seftertium,omittingCenties for the reafon above-men-
tioned or limply Decies, omitting centena millia
Seftertium, or centies Sellertium j and with the nu-
meral adverbs, Decies, Vicles, Centies, Millies, and
the like, either centena millia, or centies, was always
underftood. ^

Thefe were their moft ufual forms of expreffion,
though for Bina, Dena, Vicena Seftertia, they fre-
qu^ently faid, Bina, Dena, Vicena millia num-
mum (3) i and Cicero, in the paffage quoted in the
margin, hath ufed Mille Seftertia, for Decies Sefter-
tium. But Gronovius fays, that expreftion is not to
be found elfewhere, and fuppofes it to be a falfe
reading.

If the Confular Denarius contained 60 Troy grains
of fine filver, it was worth fomewhat more than
Eightpence farthing and a half Sterling j and the

of fixteen to the Denarius, a little more than a Half-
peny.

To reduce the ancient Sefterces of 2| AJfes, when
the Denarius paffed for 16, to pounds Sterling,, mul-
tiply the given number by 5454, and cut off fix'
figures on the right hand for decimals.

To reduce Nummi Seftertii, or quarters of
the; Denarius, to pounds Sterling ; If the given fum
be Confular money, multiply by 8727, and cut off

(3) Suetonius in Julio, c. 3S. Cicero in Verrem, L. T.,

§ 14-

f 526 ]

fix figures on the right hand for decimals ; but for
Imperial money, diminifli the faid prodiid by one
eighth of itfelf.

For example, Cicero fays, Verres had received
Vicks, ducenta triginta quinqe millia, quadringentos
decern^ feptem nummos, or 2.235.417 Sefterces : this
being Confular money, multiply by 8727, and cutting
off fix figures from theprodud:, 19508,484159,
or 19508 /. 9 j. 8 d. will be their value in Engliili
money.

Again, Suetonius relates, that when Vefpafian
came to the Empire, ‘he found the treafury fo' ex-
haufled, that he declared Quadringenties millies, or
4.0.000.000.000 nummi, were wanted to fupport
the Government (4). This was Imperial money,
w'hich, multiplied by 8727, and cutting off fix figures
from the produ6l, gives 349.080.000

One eighth of which, 43.6^5.000

being fubtraded, leaves^. 305.445.000 PountlsSterllng.

But Budajus fuppofes, that for §luadringenties mil-
lies, we ihould read ^adragies fnillies, which re-
duces it to 30.544.500, and is a much more
probable fum.

Il the Miliarenfes of 60 in the pound were fine
filver, and weighed 84 Troy grains, they were worth
46,918918. .. Farthings and decimals, or almofl
1 1 pence 3 farthings Sterling ; and the Solidus paf-
fing tor 1 2 of them, was worth a little more than
1 1 5. 8 d. 3 /.

The Found of gold was worth 864 of thefe Mili-
arenfes, amounting to 40537,94 Farthings and de-

(4) Suetonius, in Vcfpafiano, c. 16.

cimals.

[• 527 ]

elmals, which, divided by looo, give 4o,c_58, or
above lo pence and half a farthing for the value of
Conftantine s Miliarenfis in Englifh money.

Conflantinopolitans kept their accounts in
Solidi, which are reduced to pounds Sterling, by muU

number by 58648, and cutting

oft five figures on the right hand for decimals.

\

Conclusion.

THE Greeks had no money at the time of the
Trojan war 5 for Homer reprefents them as traffick-
ing by barter (i), and Priam (an Afiatic) weighs out
the ten talents of gold, which he takes to ranlom his
fon’s body of Achilles (2).

This ponderal Talent was very fmall, as appears
from Homer’s defeription of the Games at the Fune-
ral of Patroclus, where two Talents of gold are pro-
pofed as an inferior prize to a=mare with foal of a mule..
Whence I conclude it was the fame that the Doriam
Colonies carried to Sicily and Calabria ; for Pollux
tells us,» from Ariftotle, that the ancient Talent of
the Greeks in Sicily contained ’24 Nummi, each of
which weighing an Obole and a half, the Talent
muft have weighed fix Attic Drachms, or three
Darics ; and Pollux elfewhere mentions fuch a Ta--
lent of gold. But the Daric weighed very little more
tl^n 'Our Gmneaj and if 2 Talents weighed:
about 6 Guineas, vve may reckon the mare with foal-:
worth 1,2. j which was no improbable price,, fmee.-

[ 528 ]

we learn from a' pafTage in the Clouds of Arlftophanes,
that, in his time, a running horfe coft 12 Minas, or
above 46 pounds Sterling.

Therefore, this feems to have been the 'ancient
Greek Talent, before the art of ftamping money had
introduced the greater Talents from Alia and Egypt.

Herodotus tells us, the Lydians were reputed to
be the firfl; that coined gold and filver money (3) j
and the Talent, which the Greeks called Euboi'c,
certainly came from Afia. Therefore, the Greeks
learned the ufe of money from the Afiatics.

The Romans took, their weights and their money,,
either from the Dorians of Calabria, or- from Sicily s
for their Libra, Uncia, and Nummus, were all Doric
words, their Denarius was the Sicilian AszocXiJ^ov ; and
Pollux tells us, from Ariftotle, that the Sicilian Num-
mus was a quarter of the Attic Drachm (4) j and
the Romans called a quarter of their Denarius by the
fame name.

The weights I have produced of the Greek and
Roman coins, fo fully prove the ancient Attic Drachm
to have been heavier than the Denarius, . that it may
feem fuperfluous to quote any authorities in fupport
of their evidence : nor Hiould I do it here, but in
order, at the fame time, to anfwer an objedion
which may be made to the weight I have afiigned to
the Attic Drachm.

In the treaty between the Romans and Antiochus;
recorded by Polybius and Livy (5), the weight of

(3) Herodot. L. I. § 94. ' ■

(4) See Pollux, L. IX. c. 6. § 80, 81. 87. & L. IV.
c. 24. § 175.

(5) Polybius, Excerp, Leg, § 35. Livy, L. XXXVIIL
c. 38.

the

C 529 ]

the Euboic talent Is fet at 80 Roman Pounds. The
Talent is not, indeed, called Euboic, in the Treaty,
which was fuperfluous when its weight was fpeci-
fied ; but both hiftorians, in relating the, terms offered
by Scipio to Antiochus, on which this treaty w'as
founded, call it fo(6). Therefore in Livy’s recital
of the treaty, for yirgenti probi XII milUa Attica ta~
lenta, we fhould read, with Gronovius, Argmti probi
Attici XII millia talenta.

In § II of this difcourfe, I have endeavoured to
prove that the Euboic Talent was equal to the Attic j
and if fo, it contained 6000 Attic Drachms j but 80
Roman pounds contained 6720 Denarii; therefore,
according to this treaty, the weight of the Attic
Drachm muff be to that of the Denarius, as 6720

6000,

And, even if the Euboic Talent was heavier than
the Attic, in the proportion of 72 to 70, the Attic
Drachm would ffill be heavier than the Denarius ; for
in that cafe, the Euboic talent fhould contain 6171
Attic Drachms, and the two coins would be in the
proportion of 6720 to 6171.

But an anonymous Greek fragment publiffied by
Montfaucon (7), makes 100 Attic Drachms equal to
1 1 2 Denarii; which proportion of the two coins being
the fame with that of 6000 to 6720, feems to have
been taken from this treaty ; and if it was, that
^ writer certainly thought die Talent therein mentioned,
equal to the Attic*

t6) Polyb. Exc. Leg. § 24. Livy, L. XXXVII. c. 45.
(7) Anale6ta Gr«ca, p. 393. Paris, 1688, in Quarto.

VoL. LXI.

Y y y

This

[ 53° ]

This proportion, however, doss not agree with -the
weights I have alTigned to the two coins j for if the
Denarius weighed 6o Troy grains, and 'the Attic
Drachm 66|, 6650 Denarii Ihould weigh 6000
Attic Drachms, o-r a Talent; but tliis number of
Denarii is deficient of 80 Roman Pounds, by juff 10
Ounces.

Now, this adjufitnent of the Talent to Roman
Pounds, w'as probably cccafioned by the Greeks at-
tempting to impofe light weights upon th$ Romans,
w'ho finding the Talent to exceed 79 Pounds, might
take what it wanted of 80 in their own flwour, t.o
punidi the Greeks for their unfair dealing. Or, the
flandard the Romans pitched upon for the Euboic
Talent might be fomewhat over-weight ; and the
Coin of Lyfimachus above-mentioned, makes this
conjedture not improbable j for that in the podefTion
of Mr. Duane weighs 537,6 Troy grains, which di-
vided by 8 gives a Drachm of 67,2, exadly the
weight required by this treaty, fuppofing the Dena-
rius to weigh 60 grains. But the gold coins of Philip
and Alexander are fo perfect, and fo correctly hzed,
that their authority is indifputable ; and if the
mean Drachm of 66| grains derived from them
were fomewhat too fmall, it cannot be increafed by ^

above a quarter of a grain.

Therefore, I fuppofe the great weight given to the
Talent by this Treaty,, may arife, partly from too
heavy a flandard, and partly from .the Romans taking
the turn of the fcale in their own favour.

After the Romans became maflcrs of Greece and
Afia, the Athenians might find it their interefl to

lower their Drachm to the weight of the Dena-
rius,

[ S3I ]

rlus, long before they were reduced Into the form of
a Roman Province, by Vefpafian. When they did
this, and whether they did it gradually, as may feem
probable from fome Tetradrachms now remaining, is
uncertain ; but that they did fo, fooner or later, can-
not be doubted.

Pliny and Scribonius Largus exprelly fay, the
Attic Drachm was equal in weight to the Dena-
rius (8) : and A. Gellius, who, having refided long
at Athens, could not be ignorant of the value of the
current money of that city, fays loooo Drachms
were in Ropaan money, fo many Denarii (9). And
the Attic gold coin above-mentioned, in the Britifli
Mufeum, is a proof of their having reduced their
money to the Roman ftandard.

Thefe are the moft authentic teftimonies that the
two Coins ever were equal ; for though all-.the
Greek writers of Roman affairs, call the Denarius,
Drachma, it is no proof of their equality ; for one
being the current coin of Rome, as the other was of
Athens, and not very unequal in value, a Greek
might confider the Denarius, as the Drachma of
Rome, and tranflate it by that word, which was
familiar to his countrymen j as we call the French
Ecu, or the Roman Scudo, a Crown j which hath
. no more affinity to the French or Italian names>
either in found or fignification, than Drachma hath
to Denarius.

(8) Pliny, Nat. at the end of L. XXI. Scr. Largus, i|t
his Preface.

(9) A. Gellius, L. I. c. 8. Hoc facit nummi noftratis Dena-
rium decern millia.

Y y y 2 But

[ 532 ]

But the opinion that the ancient Attic Drachm
was really equal to the Denarius, hath occafioned
much confuhon in the writers on this lubjedh. Hence
it is, that Rhetnnius Fannius hath told us ot an Attic
Libra, or Mina (for he calls it by both names) of 75
Drachms ; for the Roman Pound being reckoned to
weigh 75 ancient Attic D.achms, Fannius, fuppofing
them to be equal to fo many Denarii, concluded it
rwufl: be an Attic weight, as it could not, on luch
fuppolition be the Roman Pound.

An anonymous fragment lays, The Attic Mina *
weighs 12 Ounces^ the other 16(1): the lormer was
the Roman Pound ; the latter, tlie ancient Attic
Mina. Which makes it probable, that when the
Athenians reduced their money to the Roman
ftandard, they adopted the Roman Weights ; and
this may have occafioned many midakes in the later
writers.

The great difproportion between the copper and
' filver money, when the Romans fird coined the latter,
hath induced many to believe that the fird Denarii
mud have been heavier than the eighty -fourth part
of their Pound ; thinking it incredible that filver
diould ever be valued at 840 times its weight of
copper. But they can produce no ancient author of
credit, in fupport of this opinion.

On the contrary, Dionylius of Halicarnadus, who
made diligent enquiry into the antiquities of Rome,
while all, or mod of the evidences relating to then>
were in being, giving an account of the fird indi-

i \ ) See the Appendix to Slcphcns’c Gicck ThcfatiPus,

tut ion

[ 533 }

•tution of the ClafTes by Servius Tullius, hath valued
what the Romans called centu7n millia o‘ris^ or looooo
Pounds weight of copper, no higher than too Mi-
nas (2), which is at the rate of a Drachm for every
10 Pounds of copper j and this valuation he muR
have taken from the price of copper when the Ro-
mans firH; coined filver, reckoning the Denarius of
that time equal to what it was W'hen he wrote. Btit
had the firfl Denarius been Didrachmal or Tetra-
drachmal, fo well-informed a writer inud have
known it, and would have valued the copper money
accordingly. Neither is it probable that Pjiny,, who-
hath given fo particular an account of the diminution
of the As^ fhould omit that of the Denarius.

But it is not impofhbie that fiiver might be fo-
fcarce at Rome when it was hrfi; coined there,, as to-
bear the above-mentioned proportion to copper; and
the Romans, not being a trading people, might have
no regard to its value elfewhere. It is likewife pro-
bable, that,, through ignorance and inexperience in.
money matters, they fet too high a value on it at
firfl ; which feems to have been the cafe,, by its quick:
redu<Sion from 840 times its weight in copper, tO’
14Q, in lefs than thirty years ; and again to 112 in.
between twenty and, thirty years more;, and not- very'
long after to 56, at which price it remained during;
the continuance of the republican government..

But we are little interefied in the weight of the
Denarius for the firfl fixty years after it was coined
and r have fhewn that when, the Romans, began toj

(?) CompTirp Dio-nvfius with Livy..

coim

[ 534 ]

coin gold, it did not exceed the eighty-fourth part of
their Pound.

The learned have differed much concerning the
grammatical conftrudlion and ufe of the word Pondoy
moft of them have fuppofed it to be a neuter inde-
clinable j but Gronovius hath produced many au-
thorities to fhew that it was the old ablative cafe of
Pondus, poKdiy for which they afterward ufed Pondere,
Livy has, Coronuin aureciin lihratn pondo^ and the like
in many places. Columella, mediccwiinis pondo
imcicim. Celllis, pondo dcnariorum trium. And
Plautus in Mena;chmis, Pondo duiim niimmum. In all
which pondo fecn'is to be the ablative cafe for pondere.
And Feftus tells us, Centenas pondo dicehant anhquu
^ref event €0 nd It hr a i (3)* Thus Livy fays, fex njilli<z
pondo, for, fex millia librarum pondere, and Pondo bum
& feUbras, for, Pondere bin a libranm ponder a ^
Jelibras. In the former of thefe paflages, Livy feems
to have valued the Libra at 100 Denarii. For re-
lating how Scipio was accufed of having received a
'bribe from Antiochus of fex millia pondo auri, qua-
dringenta odloginta argenti, he calls it in a round
fum Ducenties quadragies, or 24000 Seftertia (4^,
Now reckoning 100 Denarii to the Libra, and the
value of gold decuple that of filver, it fliould
amount to 24192 Seflertia ; whereas reckoning 84
Denarii to the Libra, it would amount to no more
than 20352. And Plutarch in his Life of Fabius,
tranflates what Livy calls Pondo bina Gf felibras, by
250 Drachms, which is a Seflertium.

(3) Gronovius, 'De pcc. vet. I/. I. c. 6.

(4) Livy, L. XXXVIII. § 55.

The

C 535 ]

The learned Budaus, and others after him, have
called this fum of too Denarii, Libra centenariay
and Libra nummaria \ though heconfeffes he hatf never
found either the word Libra or Pondo ufed to fignify
a fum of money ; but 'always, when applied to gold
or fiiver, a weight of Plate or Bullion ^ and how ihe
Libra, which certainly weighed but 84 Denarii when
Livy wrote, fhpuld be valued at too, is a paradox I
caniiot account for..

\

VoL, LXI.

Y y y 4

XLIX. LeL

C 536 ]

XLIX, Defer iption ~of a Method of mea^
furing Differences of Right Afeenfon and
Declination^ with Dollond’s Micrometer^
together with other ?tew Applications of the
fame : By the Rev, Nevil Mafkelyae, B, D,
F. R, S, Afronomer RojaL

Read Dec. 12, f | £ divided objed: glafs micromc-

JL ter, as happily applied by the late
Mr. John Dollond tq the objed end of a refleding
telefcope, and now witli equal advantage adapted by
the prefent Mr. Dollond, his fon, to the end of an
achromatic telefcope, is fo eafy of ufe, and affords fo
large a fcale, that it is generally looked upon by
aftronomers as the mod convenient and exad inftru-
ment for meafuring fmall diftances in the heavens.
But, as the common wire micrometer is peculiarly
adapted for meafuring differences of right afeenfion
and-declination of celedial objeds, and is not near fo
convenient or exad for meafuring their abfolute
diftances j fo on the contrary the objed glafs micro-
meter is peculiarly fitted for meafuring diftances, and
has, I believe, generally been fuppoled incapable of or
unfit for meafuring differences of right afeenfion and
declination. Thus the two micrometers, as mutually
fupplying each other’s defedts, have been efteemed

both

[ 537 ]

both equally neceffary in their turn to be ufed by
the pradical Aftronomer, and confequently to have
a place in every well-furniflied Obfervatory. Far be
it from me to fay any thing to the difparagement of
either of thefe valuable indruments, or to envy it
tlie place which it is fo judly entitled to. Every
Adronomer, who has time and inclination for making
a variety of obfervations, would undoubtedly wifh to
be fupplied with, and to make ufe of both. But,
as every perfon defirous of making obfervations for
his own amufement or public utility may not hap-
pen aftually to be furnidied with, nor chufe to be
at the expence of providing himfelf with both, it
is certainly a very defirable thing, if he could be
enabled to make that ufe of the indrument he has,
which might fupply, in fome meafure at lead, the
want of the other which he has not. Therefore, as
I find that the objedt-glafs micrometer may be ap-
plied with little trouble and but fmall additional
expence to the meafuring diderences of right afeen-
fion and declination, with an exadtnefs little, if at all,'
inferior to what they can be obtained with the com-
mon micrometer, I propofe to give here the direc-
tions necedary to be followed when it is ufed in this
manner. I diall afterwards diew how differences of
right afeenfion and declination between the limbs of
the Sun and Venus or Mercury, and didances of the
limbs both in lines parallel and perpendicular to the
equator, may alfo be obferved in the tranfits of thefe
planets over the Sun. Examples of the fecond and
third of thefe methods may be feen in the obferva-
tions of the late tranfit of Venus at the North Cape,
and in the South Seas, made according to thefe di-
VoL. LXI. Z z z redlions,

[ 53S J

rec5^:ions, which were previoufly communicated to the
obfervers.

A fmall addition w'ill be neceflary to be made to
the apparatus of the objedt-glafs micrometer, to enable
it to anfwer thefe purpofes, viz. a cell, containing
two wires interfedling each other at right angles,
placed in the focus of the eye-glafs of the telelcope,
and moveable round about, by the turning of a but-
ton. Let E N W S, Tab. XVI. P ig. i. reprefent the
field-bar of the telefcopc, EW and NS two wires inter-
feiling each other at right angles at C, and moveable
about the lame as a center, in manner above-mention-
ed. Suppofe it be required to meafure the difference
of right afcenfion and declination of two Ears, whole
diffc rence of declination docs not exceed the extent cf
the fcale of the micrometer, and the diftance of the
meridians palling through the Ears does not exceed
C W, the femidiameter of the field of the telefcope.
Turn the wires E W, NS about, rill one of the Ears
(the weEernmoE Ear will generally be beE for this
purpofe) runs exacEly along the wire E VV, by the
diurnal motion. Then feparate the two fegments of
the divided obje6t-glafs to a convenient didance, and
turn the micrometer round about, by means of the
proper handle, till the two images of the fame Ear,
formed by the two fegments of the objcft-glafs, pafs
the horary wire N S at tlie fame inEanr. LaElv,
partly by feparating the glaEes, and partly by touch-
ing the rack-work fer'ews of the Eand of the telefcope,
caufe the fouthernmoE image of the northernmoE
Ear, and the northernmoE image of the fouthernmoE
Ear, to appear both upon and run along the wire
E W, as A,, B. The numbers Handing upon the Icalc

^ of

hilc'j'. Trans Ilit .XTIyj J5<?,

T’y^r T7T

II.

ho\ W

e. c/V .

[ 539 ] _

of the micrometer will fliew the difference of decli-
nation of the ftars ; and if the times be noted when
they pafs the horary wire N S the difference of the
times will give the difference of their right afcenlion.
For E W on account of the bar’s running along it,
is parallel to tlie equator j and confequently N S
which is perpendicular to it, reprefents a meridian or
horary circle. And becaufe the two images of the fame
ffar pafs the horary wire N S at the fame inftant, it
follows that the centres of the two femicircular glaffes
lie in the lame meridian, and confequently when A, B,
the two contrary imao:es of the two bars are brought
to tlie fame parallel of declination E W, the fcale
will blew the difference of their declinations. And,
for the fame reafon, the times of the images of the
two bars oalTing the meridian wire N S will not be

1 O ^

affedled by the feparation of the glaffes of the micro-
meter, and confequently the difference of the times will
give the difference of their right afeenbon. It will be
eafiiy underbood that in performing the operations
above deferibed, it will be neceffary from tihie to
time to turn the ferewsof the rack- work which move
the whole telefcope together. Thefe operations will be
much facilitated and rendered more exa£f, if the tele-
fcope be fupported by and moveable on a polar axis ;
for the wires and micrometer may be thereby more
readily brought into the requifite pofitions, and the
turning of the telefcope about in order to follow the
diurnal motion will not diburbthofe pofitions; which
will afford this farther advantage to the obferver, of be-
ing able to repeat the obfervations without lofs of time.

If two additional horary wires F G, H I parallel
to N S be placed near E and W the two extremi-

Z z z 2 ties

[540']

ties of the wire, E W the adjuftment of the wires
and micrometer may be more readily performed, and
the obfervation may be nude on two ifars, although
their iriCridian diftance from one another fliould be
almoft equal to E W tlie diameter of the field of the
telefcope. It is evident, that if two ftars be thus
obferved wliofe difference of declination is well fettled,
the value of the fcale of the micrometer may be
thereby determined.

In the foregoing diredlions It has been fuppofed that
the images of the two ftars can be brought to appear
within the field of the telefcope on the wire E W
at the fame time ; but this is not abfolutely neceffary.
For if the micrometer be fet to the difierence of de-
clination nearly, and then the ffar w^hich palfcs firft
through the telefcope be made to run along the wire
E W by touching one of the handles of the rack-
work of the telefcope, and afterwards the other ffar,
when it comes into the telefcope, be brought to the
wire E W by altering the opening of the glafles of
the micrometer, the difference of the declination
will be had, by taking h^lf the fum of the numbers
fiiewn by the micrometer, at the two feparate ob-
fervations of the two ftars on the wire E W. This
will be true, In cafe it can be depended upon that the
two femicircular glaffes recede equally in contrary
diredfions; which may indeed be doubted, the work
on which the motion of the glaffes depends not being
defigned for fuch a purpofe, and therefore probably
not made fufficiently accurate for it.

The manner In which Mr. Dollond has contrived
the motion of the glafles in his new improvement of
the objed-glafs micrometer intirely obviates this

diflicultv,

0 *

[ 5+1 ]

difficulty, and the difference of right afcenfioii and
declination of any two ftars or other points in the
heavens may be thereby accurately meafured, let the
difference of right afcenfion be what it will, provided
the difference of declination does not exceed the
extent of the fcale of the micrometer ; and thus the
objeft-glafs' micrometer is put pretty much on a
footing with the common micrometer, even with rc-
fpeiff to the meal'uring right afcenfions and de-
clinations.

The difference of right afcenfion and declination
between Venus or Mercurv and the Sun’s limb, in
their tranhts over the Sun, are to be oblerved nearly
in the fame manner as the difference of right afcenfion
and declination of two dars. But the procefs will
perhaps be rendered clearer, by the following de-
icription.

1. Turn the moveable wires E W, N S, into
fuch a pofition that the Sun’s North limb n (fee
fg. II.) or the planets North Ikiib V may run along
the wire E W, which thereby becoaaes a tangent to
the “peripheries of their difes.

2. The femicircular glaffes being feparated to a
convenient diftance, turn the micrometer about, till
the two images of the planet V, 'u,. pafs over the
horary wire N S at the fame inftant.

3. Separate the glaffes of the micrometer to that
diftance, that the North limb V of the Northernmoft'
image of the planet may touch the wire E W at the
fame time that the Northernmoftlimb ofthe South-
ernmoft image of the Sun touches the fame wire;,
and the fcale of the micrometer will diew the
difference of declination of the Northern limbs of

the.

[ 542 ]

the Sun and planet. In like m.inner, If the g'adcs
of the mjcrotneter be opened to a greater or lefs
diltance (according as the planet is nearer the North
or South limb of the Sun) every thing elfe remaining
unmoved, the difference of declination of the South-
ern limbs of the Sun and planet may be obferved, by
bringing the Southernmoll limb of the Southern-
mod: image of the planet to run along the wire EW,
at the fame time that the Southernmoff limb of the
Noi thernrnc^l: image of the Sun runs along the fame.
Half the dilterence of thele tv/o meafures (if taken
immediately after one another) is equal to the differ-
ence of the declination of the centers of the Sun and
planet at the intermediate time, without any regard to
the quantities of liie diametei’s of the Sun or planet,
or the error of adjudment of the micrometer.

T he difference of the trandts of the Eadern or
\\edein limbs of the Sun and planet will give the
difeience of right alcendon, as in the common
micrometer.

Indead of diderences of right arcenfion, diflances of
the planet from the Sun’s limb in lines parallel to the
equator may be more accurately obferved as follows.

Xhe glalics being leparated to a convenient didance,
turn both the wires and micrometer about, lb that
the two images of the planet may both run along the '
wire E W (lee Fig. JIl ) and leparate the glad'es, fo
that V one of the images of the planet may touch the
limb of the Sun to the Ead or Wefi, or rather both
alternately. Or perhaps the following method may be
preferable ; feparatc the two images of the Sun to any
convenient didance, fo as to produce a conliderahle
angle of interfedtion of the circumferences at I and T;

5 Turn

[ 543 ]

Tarn the wires about, fo that the planet’s centre*
North, or South limb, may run along the wire EWi
Then turn the micrometer about till the two inter-
fei^iions I T pafs the horary wire N S at the fame
inffant, and the micrometer will be in a proper po-
fition for meakiring didanees in a line parallel to the
equator ; and the dilLnce of the pl.met from the
Sun’s limb in a line parallel to the equator will be-
obtained by only bringing the glades nearer togetiier,
or leparating them farther, till the planet’s limb is in
contact with the Sun’s limb. If didances of tltc
planet’s near limb Irom the Sun’s limb be thus taken
to the Ead and Wed alternately, and reduced to a
given time, by allowing- for the motion of the planet-
by calculation, half the did'crence of the two reduced
meafures will be the didance (d the planet’s centre
from the middle of the chord ol the Sun’s di(c
pafiing through the planet’s centre parallel to tire-
^quator at the given time, without any regard to ilie
c]uantities of the diameters of the Sun or planet, t.r
the error of, the adjudment of the micrometer. It
may be proper to remark, that when the planet is-
brought to touch the Sun’s limb, the point ofcontadb
will be North' or South of the planet’s centre accord-
ing as the planet itfelf is North or boutk of the Sun’s
centre.

In like manner, didances of Venus or Mercury
from the Sun’s limb may be meafured in lines per-
pendicular to the equator, fee Fig. IV. (the micro-
meter being brought into die proper pofition, in the
very fame manner as for meafuring the difference of
declination from the Sun’s north or fouth limb, before
defcribed)j and if- the planet be brought inro contact

with

[ ,544 ]

with the Sun’s limb to the north and fouth alter-
nately, half the difference of the two meafures, re-
duced to a given time by allowing for the motion of
the planet by calculation, will be the difference of
declination of the centers of the Sun and planet at
that time, without any regard to the diameters of the
Sun or planet, or the error of adjuffment of the
micrometer. And this would be a better oblervation
than meafuring the difference of declination of the
limbs of the Sun and planet by bringing them both
in contact with the fume wire parallel to the equa-
tor defcribtd above ; as the meafuring diftances from
the Sun’s eafl or well: limb in lines parallel to the
equator is a better obfervation than meafuring dif-
ferences of right afcenfion of the limbs by time.

By thefe two obfervations of diffances of an inferior
planet from the Sun’s limb in lines parallel and per-
pendicular to the equator, its true place with refpedl
to the Sun’s center may be accurately afeertained
during any part of its tranfit over the Sun’s difk;
and confequently its nearefl approach to the Sun’s •
center and the time of the ecliptic conjundlion may
be deduced vvith great exadtnefs, although the middle'
of the tranfit diould not be feen, and the Sun flaould
be vifible only for a fmall fpace of time fufiicient
for taking thefe obfervations.

The following order of making the feveral obfer-
vations with Dollond’s micrometer in the late tranfit
of YTmis was recommended to the obfervers who
went on the part of the Royal Society to the North
Cape and to the South Sea, which may ferve to
elucidate their obfervations. See Phil. Tranf. Vol,
LIX. p. 266, 267. and this Vol. LXI. p.397, 418

Inifrudtions

[ 545 ] .

Inftruftions to the like effeft were alfo given to
the other obfervers, fent by the Royal Society to Hud-
fon’s Bay and the North of Ireland, on the fame oc-
cafiqn. Sec Phil. Tranf. Vol. LIX, p. 480 — 482.
and Vol. LX. p. 488.

“ I ft. Immediately after the firft internal contaift,
** you are to obferve feveral diameters of Venus
“ (fuppofe 12) with o of the vernier placed al-
“ ternately to the right and left hand of the be-
ginning of the divifions of the fcale.

2dly, You are to obferve feveral differences of de-
“ clination of the northern limbs of the Sun and
“ Venus, and the fouthern limbs of the Sim and
“ Venus alternately.

“ Sdly, If there be confiderable time left before the
“ middle of the tranfit, you are to obferve dif-
tances of Venus from the Sun’s limb to the
eaft and weft alternately, in lines parallel to the
“ equator.

“ 4thly, If there ftill remain confiderable time be-
“ fore the middle of the tranfit, you are to ob-
“ ferve feveral times the horizontal diameter of
“ the Sun.

“ 5thly, You are to begin at leaft half an hour (an
“ hour would be better) before the middle of the
“ tranfit, to meafure the neareft diftance of Venus
“ from the Sun’s limb, and the fartheft diftance
•* of Venus from the Sun’s limb, alternately.

“ N. B. The fame pofition of the micrometer
will ferve for both, without turning it
“ about. Thefe obfervations are to be con-
“ tinued till the very middle of the tranfit,
Vol. LXI. 4 A when

[ 54& ]

“ when the diftance will cxjntinue the fame
“ for a little fpace of time ; but it will be
“ better to continue them for fome time
“ longer.

6thly, The fame obfervations which were taken
“ before the middle of the tranfit, or fuch as could
“ not, through fome impediment, be obferved
“ before, may be proper to be obferved after the
middle of the tranfit.

ythly, It will be advifeable to pradlife obfervations
“ fimilar to thofe. here recommended, previous to
“ the trarifit of Venus, by means of fpots in tlie

» Sun.”

L;

♦

!

■«

(

\ '

- ><.

r

I

]

i

i

*

1

;l

i

A

1

i

y

i

[ 547 ]

L. A Supplement to a former Paper^
concerning Difficulties in the Newtonian
Theorjr of_ Light : hy the Rev, S. Horfley^

L L. B, F, R, S.

Problem I.

Read Dec. 1,9, ^ P ARCKL of equal Circles being dlf-'
/L pojed upon a plane Jurface, of any
figure whatfioever, in the clofiejt arrangement po[]ihle^
to determirw the ultimate proportion of the fpace covered
by all the Circles^ to the fpace occupied by all their
InterficeSy when each circle is inpnitely fmally and
the fpace y over which they are difpofedy is of a. fake
magnitude.

The clofeft manner, in whiclr a parcel of equal'
circles can be difpofed upon a plane, is when the
centers of every three contiguous circles are htuated’
at the angles of an equilateral triangle, which hath
* each of its fides equal to a diameter of any one
of the circles.

A number of circles, thus difpofed', may be di-
vided, as Tab^ XVII. lliews,. into feveral. rowTS
of circles, having their centers ranged upon parallel
right lines, AG, IIP, Q.X, r 'Zi 6cc. Every,

4 ^ 2 .circle,.

. , C 548 ]

circle, which is not in an outermoft row, or at the
extremity of any other row, touches fix others,
namely two in its own row, and two in the row on
either fide of its own ; and each adjacent pair of
thefe fix do alfo touch each other. In the outer
rows, every circle, which is not at one extremity of
its row, touches four others, two in its own ; row,
and two in the row next befide it ; which laft two
do Hkewife touch each other. A: circle at either
extremity of an outer row, touches only a fingle
circle in its own row, but ^either one or two in the
row next befide it. The. bare infpeftion of the figure
(Tab, XVII.) will make thefe aflertions manifefi-.

Now, imagine the equal circles, exhibited in the
figure, to be each i infinitely fmall, the number of
them being infinitely great, and the whole fpace
over which .they are difpofed being of a finite magni-
tude. . The ultimate proportion of the fpace covered
by all the Circles, to the fpace occupied by all their
Tnterfiices, is that of | the area of one of the circles
to the^ whole of one interftitial area, /. e. the pro-
portion.of 39 to 4 very nearly.

Demonstration.

The circles ranged along the parallel right lines
A B, H P, form two rows of interfaces ; the row
marked a, c, d, 6cc. and the row marked a, /3, y, S,
&c. and, in like manner, two rows of interftices are
formed by every two contiguous rows of circles.

Now, the numbers of the circles ranged along the
feveral parallel right lines, AG, HP, Q^X, &c. are
either equal or unequal, according to the figure of
the fpace over which they are difpofed.

I

Cafe I. .

C S49 3

Cafe I. Flrfl fuppofe, that an equal number of
circles is ranged along each of the parallel lines ; in
which cafe, the figure, in which they are included^
mufi: be a parallelogram. The number of circles, rang-
ed along the parallel right lines A G, H P, being equal,
the number of interftices in each of the rows, h,
Cy dy &c. ay I3y y, Sy 6cc. IS Icfs by unity than the
nurpber of circles upon either line, AG, or HP, be
that number what it will. Thus the two circles A, B,
upon the line AG, with the two circles H, K, upon,
the line HP, have the fingle interfiice in the row
a, by Cy dy 6cc. and the fingle interftice a, in the ^
row a, /Q, yy $y &c. Again, the three circles
A, B, C, upon the line AG, with the three, H, K, L,
upon the line H P, have the two interftices Cy by in
the row by c, dy &c. and the two a, (3, in the^
row ccy (3, yy J', &c. And univerfally, if the num-
ber of circles in each row be w, the number of in-
terftices, in each of the two rows of interftices, will,
be w — I. Confequently, the whole number of
interftices formed by thefe two rows of circles is.

' 2 w — 2. In like manner, the two rows of circles
HP, QX, form two more rov/s of interftices. Andt
the number of circles upon each line, H P, QX,,
being w, the number of interftices in each row is ,
m— I, and the whole number in both rows 2w— 2,.
Therefore, the whole, number of interftices formed by
the three rows of circles, AG, HP, QX, is zm — 2

twice taken, or 2 m — 2 x By the fame reafoning,
if a fourth row of m circles, rX be added, the num-
ber of interftices formed by the four rows is^,

— 2 X 3^ And univerfally, if there be 7r.rows -

off

[ 55° ]

of equal Girelbs, and w circles in each row, the
number of interftices- formed by all tlie rows is

zm — 2 X n — 1. Now, when the circles are in-
finitely fmall, their diameters are infinitely fmalL
Therefore,, the fpace which they cover being, of finite
magnitude, it is necefTary, that both the number of
circles in each row, and the number of rows, that
is,- that each- of the numbers, m and fliould be
infinitely great. But when m and n are each in-
finitely great, zm — 2*x n — i, that is,, the num-
ber of interdices, becomes ultimately zmn\ and the
interdkes being all equal one to another, if the area
of one be called P„ the fam of their areas will bo
zvm X P. But the number of circles in n rows,
each rov/ confiding of 7n circles, is mn'y. ajid the
circles being equal, if the area of one be called A,
the dim of their areas will be mn x A. " Hence the
fpace covered by all the circles is to the fpace covered
by all their interftices, when the magnittftie of each
circle is infinitely diminidied, and the number of
them fb infinitely augmented, as that they diaFl
cover a fpace of finite magnitude, ultimately, as
to 2W72xP, that is, as A to 2 P, or as
^ A to P, that is, as £ the area of one circle to the
whole area of one interdice.

Cafe 2. Now, fuppofe, that unequal numbers of
circles are ranged along the feveral lines AG, HP,,
QX, &c. which mud always be the cafe, if the
figure of the fpace, in which they are contained, be
any other than a parallelogram ; and let the number
upon AG be the greated of all, and call that num-
ber, as before, m. If from the row HP, the ex-’

tremc

[ 5SI ]

treme circle P be taken away, all the reft being left,
the interftice f will be taken away, and all the other
interftices, formed by w circles upon HP, with m
-circks upon AG, will remain. If again the circle O
be taken away, befides the interftice f already taken
away, the two e, f will difappear ; and every circle
more that is taken away, of thole remaining
upon HP, from the extremity of the line, two more
interftices will difappear. If from the row of circles
HP, the extreme circle H be taken away, the two
interftices a, will difappear. And if the circles
Iv, L, M, be taken away fuccelTively, every new
circle that is taken away, two more interftices will
difappear, of thofe formed by the two rows AG, HP.
Again, if the two circles P and H be taken away,
the three interftices a, will difappear; and

every circle more that is taken away, from either
extremity, two more interftices will difappear. Hence
whatever number of circles be taken away out of
m circles upon H P, provided they be taken fuccef-
fively, from either or both ends of the row (and when
the number of circles upon H P is fuppofed lefs than
that upon AG, the deficiency muft be at the end,
not in the middle of the row, otherwife the circles
remaining would not be in the clofeft arrangement),
it is evident that the number of interftices which dif-
appear, of thofe which would be formed by m circles
upon H P, with 771 circles upon A G, muft be either
double the number of circles taken away, or lefs
than the double of that number by i. That is if
m — a be the number of circles left upon 'HP, the
number of interftices formed by them, with 771 circles
upon A G, is left than the number which would be
2 formed

[ 552 ]

formed by m circles upon HP, with m circles upon
AGf either by 2 a, or by 2 <2 — i. The number
of interftices formed by w circles upon each row"
would be, as hath been fliewn in the preceding cafe,

2 w — 2. Therefore, the number formed by circles
upon AG, with’/w— circles upon HP, is either
2m — 2 — 2a, or 2w — 2^ — i. That Is, ulti-
mately (when the number m^a is infinitely in-
creafed) 2 m — 2 a. Now, fuppofe the number of
circles upon to be m — a — b. The number of

circles upon the two rows AG, HP, is 2 ;/z a,

Upon the three rows A G, H P, QJC, the number is

3 w . — 2 a — b. And if the number of circles upon

V X, be m — a — b — €, the number of circles upon
the four rows A G, H P, QJC, r S, will be
4;;? — 3^ — 2b — c. And, univerfally, the num-
ber of rows being n, and the number of circles upon
the feveral rows, m^a — b, m-^a-^b—c,

m — a — b — c — d, &c. fucceflively, the whole
number upon all the n rows will be

<nm — ay^n — i — byn — 2 — cy n — 3, &c.
But, as it hath been fhewn that circles upon AG,
with m — a circles upon HP, form 2m — 2a in-
terftices, if the number m — a be infinite, in the
fame manner it may be fhewn, that m — a circles
upon HP, with m' — a — b circles upon Q^X,
form 2 m — 2 a — 2 b intcrflices, when the number
m — a — b is infinite. Therefore, the whole num-
ber of interflices formed by the three rows upon

AG, H P, QXy is 2tn — 2 ay 2 — 2b, And, in
like manner, the number of intcrflices, formed by
the circles of four rows, will be

2m — 2a y 1 — 2b y 2 — 2c. And, univerfally,

n being

r 553 ]

n being the number of rows, the number of the In-
terflices will be

zm — iaX7i — I — zbxn — 2 — icxn — 3, &c. That

is, zmx n — i — 2 a x n — i — zbx n — 2 — 2 c x n — 3 ,
&c. By comparing this exprelTion with the former
expreffion of the number of the circles, it will ap-
pear, that when riy the number of the rows of circles,
is infinitely augmented, the number of interflices is
to th« number of circles, ultimately, as 2 to i. For
the two expreffions always confifi; of an equal num-
bers of terms. The fame numerical terms in both
are affe<5ted with the fame figns. The firfl term of

the latter {zmxn — 1) is ultimately double the firfl:
term of the former {mn)y when n is infinitely in- '
creafed, and each fucceeding term of the latter is
double the correfponding term of the former. There-
fore, the whole of the latter expreffion is ultimately
to the whole of the former, as 2 to i. That is, the
number of interfhees is ultimately double the num-
ber of circles : whence it follows, as in the former
cafe, that the whole fpace covered by the circles is
to the whole fpace occupied by the interfiices, as
I the area of one circle to the whole area of one in-
terfhee.

In this Demonflration I have fuppofed the num-
ber of circles upon the feveral lines AG, HP, QX,
&c. to decreafe continually. Had I fuppofed them to
decreafe by fits, and in any manner imaginable, fliill
the conclufion would have been the fame {a), There-

(a) Suppofe the number of circles upon the ifl: row to be m,
upon the 2d, m — <7, upon the 3d, m — upon the 4th,

m — — r, upon the 5th, m — a + b-c-\-dy and fo on, and

VoL. LXI. 4 B fore.

[ 55+ ] -

fore, let the figure of the finite fpace. Including the
circles thus clofely arranged, with their interftices,
be what it will, the proportion of the fpace covered
by all the circles, to the fpace taken up in interftice,
is ultimately that of | the area of one circle to
.the whole area of one interftice.

Now, that this is the proportion of 39 to 4, very
nearly, will appear by computing one ot the interfti-
tial areas.

The method of computing the interftitial area is
obvious. Let A, B, H be the centers of the three
circles, which clofe the interftice TOT. Joit^ AB,
A H, B H. The right lines A B, AH, B H, pals
through the points of contad: T, O, T, refpedively.

and each of thefe numbers tOibe infinitely increafed. Then, k
beino- the number of rows, the whole number of circles will be

o . A

nm — a y. n — i b X n — 2 — c X. n — d X n 4, &c.
Number the interftices formed by every two contiguous rows,,
and add them all together, and the whole number of interftices s
will be found to be ' ,

2711 X I— 2^ X «— I -p 2‘bxn- 5 — 2cX n~^ + zd xn— 5, See. .
Now, by comparing thefe two expreflions, it appears, that
both confift of the fame number of terms : That the fame

numerical terms in order from the firft, have the fame figns

That the firft term of the latter (zw X « — i) is ultimately
the double of the firft term, of the former, when w is infinitely
increafed : That of the terms following the firft, the negative
terms of the latter are each double the correfponding negative
terms of the former : and each pofitive term of the latter differs
from the double of>hc correfponding pofitive term of the former.,
"by a number wUi^vaniflies with refpedl to either of thole cor-
refponding terms, when it becomes infinite. Therefore, when
M becomes infinite, the whole of the latter expreflion becomes .
'the double of the whole of the former. Hence the conclufioii,
is a4 before.

The

[ 555 ] ,

The area of the triangle, AHB, is equal to^the
areas of the three feftors A TO, BOT, H'^'T, aoded
to the interftitial area TOT. But the triangle APIB
is equilateral. Therefore each of the feftors A TO,
EOT, H T T is of the circle to which it belongs :
and, the circles being equal, the three fedbors are equal
to the half of any one of the circles. Therefore, the
area of the triangle AHB is equal to | the area
of one circle ^as of A) added to the intcilditial aiea
yOT. Tlierefore, from the area „of the triangle
A H B take | the area of the circle A, and there

will remain the interftitial area TOT.

Now, if the sadius AO be put zr; i, each iide of

the triangle AHB will be 2.

Therefore, the area of the triangle AHB| _ ^ - q-

will be . . ->

But the radius being J, | the area of thed^^^^^g

circle A is

The difference is 0,1612

And this is, the interditial area TOT, the half area
of the circle A being Therefore, the femi-

circle is to the interftice as 1,5708 to 0,1612, or as
9,74 to I, or as 39 to 4, very nearly.

Corollary.

If a parcel of equal circles be fo difpofed upon a
plane furface of any figure whatfoever, that the centers
of every three adjacent circles are fituated at the angles
of equal equilateral triangles, having Tides greater than
the diameters of the circles, but greater in a finite
proportion, the ultimate proportion of the fpace
^ 4 B 2 covered

[ 556 ]

covered by all the circles to the fpace occupied by all
the interftices, when each circle is infinitely dimi-
nilhed, and the number of them fo infinitely in-
crealedj that the /pace over which they fpread is ot a
finite magnitude, is that of | the area of one circle
to the whole area of one interftice. And the area
of any one interftice is equal to the difference of the
area of the equilateral triangle, formed by the right
lines joining three adjacent centers, and i the area of
one of the circles*

Problem II.

To determine the greateft pofible denfity of an in-
fnitely thin cruji compojed of equal JpheruleSy having
their centers all in the fame plane.

i

From the number 39 fubtrad its. third part. To
the number 4 add the third part of 39. The re-
mainder is to the fum, that is,, 26 is to 17, very
nearly, as the fpace occupied by all the matter to
the fpace occupied by all the pore, in an infinitely
thin cruft, of the greateft poffible denfity, compofed
of equal fpherules, having all their centers in the
fame plane.

Demonstration.

Upon a bafe of innumerable infinitely fmall circles,
arranged in the dofeft manner poftible, (according to
Prob. I.) imagine right cylinders to be ereded, each
cylinder having one of the little circles for its bafe,
and its altitude equal to the diameter of its bafe!

Thefc

3

[ 557 ]

Thefe cylinders are in the clofeft arrangement pof--
fible for equal cylinders ; and the fphercs, which they
circumfcribe, are in the clofeft arrangement poflible
for equal fpheres, which have their centers in the
lame plane. The folid fpace occupied by the cylin-
ders, is to the folid fpace occupied by their inter-
ftices, as the furface covered by their circular bafes,
to the furface covered by the interftices of their bafes :
That is, as 39 to 4, very nearly, by the firft Problem.
But the Ipheres contained within thele cylinders are
each- but 4 of the containing cylinder. The folid con-
tent therefore of all the fpheres is but 4 of the folid
content of all the cylinders; and the remaining third
part of the folid content of the cylinders, together
with the interftices between the cylinders, makes up
the whole of the interftices between the fpheres.
Therefore, the fpace occupied by the fpheres is to
the fpace occupied by their interftices, as 39 — ^ to
4 + 7* or as 26 to 17, very nearly.

The fpheres being in the clofeft arrangement
poflible, if each be a folid atom, or without pore
within its own dimenfions, then, the infinitely thin
cruft, which thefe atoms compofe, is plainly the moft
denfe that can be compofed of equal fpherules, having
their centers in one plane.. And the fpace occupied
by its matter is to the fpace occupied by its pore,
as 2j6 to 17, very- nearly.

Scholium.

If the component fpherules, inftead of being'folid,
be fuppofed to be each of the denfity of gold, in which
one half of the bulk may reafonably be fuppofed to

be

[ 558 ] • .

be pore,' then only 4 of the fpace, which they occupy,
is filled with matter, and the other half is to be added
to the pore. Hence fpherules of the denfity of gold,
arranged in the clofcfl manner poffible, iiaving their
centers in one plane, compofe a cruft, in which,

‘ ids, or fomewhat more than ilths, of its bulk is
matter. Therefore, the denfity of fuch a cruft is
fomewhat greater than i2 times that of water, fince
^*^th only of the bulk of water -is fuppofed to be
matter, and i®ths is pore.

S. Horfley.

fThe fir ft of ihefc two Pf'ohlems^ enabled me to determine
the greateji poftible number of fpherical particles of
a given magnitude^ that could find room to lie at
one time up07i the furface of the Sun ; a?td^ by the
Jecondt I found the denfity of the crujh which
fuch paj^ticles, in the elofeft arrimgcment prfflble^ with
a given denfity of each particle feparateiy^ would
eompeje.

U. An

[ S59 1

Received November 14, i77i'»

LL An Account of the going of an Afro-
nomkal Clock : By the Rev, Francis-

Wollafton, R. S,

:Rcad Dec. 19^^ TAVING heard Ifoften lamented,,

that very few regiders of the going
of clocks have been communicated to the public j,

I take the liberty to lay before the Society fuch obfer-
vations as I have made to afeertain mine; and (hall:
be happy if my amufements can in, any way be of the
leaft fcrvice to any one.

My clock was made by Holmes.. The pendulum
rod is of deal, to which the ball is ferewed fall ; aud-
it is adjufted by a fmaller weight underneath. The;
clock beats dead feconds ; and is faftened to a prin-
cipal wail, independent of the floor*. The room
never has a fire in it.

The tranfit telefcope, with which I made the ob--
fervations, has an achromatic objedl: glafs, of only
14 inches focal length, and magnifies about 15 times;
its tranfverfe axis is but 12 inches long, and' it is.
mounted on a vertical axis of 18; being defigned
for an equal altitude inftrument likewife,.and .fo ufeF

[ 5^0 ]

in fome of the following obfervations. It is faflened
to a large ftone pillar, bedded on the wall of the
houfe ; and is adjufted in the meridian, to a mark 700
feet diftant. I mention thefe particulars, becaufe the
obfervations fliew that even fo fmall an inftrument is
capable of tolerable exadlnefs : and it is for that
reafon I have fet down the refult of all the tranfits
I have taken for a year part ; though much fewer
would have fufficed for (hewing the rate of the
clock. The obfervations themfelves are not here ;
becaufe I would not trouble the Society with fuch a
detail ; elfe they (hould readily have had them. It
can be of no fervice to falfify calculations, which
might have been with- held; and I believe to the beft
ot my abilities, thefe are done accurately. I am fure
they are delivered faithfully.

The I ft and 2d columns require no explanation.

The third fliews how much the clock proved to
be or too faft, — or too flow, for mean folar time
upon each obfervation, when it came to be calculated
afterwards. The marks : : or : are fet down as any
one appeared to me to be more or lefs doubtful at the
time of obferving. The calculations will (hew which
are really moft to be fufpedfed.

The fourth column (hews how much the clock
varied per day, when compared with the preceeding
obfervation of the (ame objeeft. The fmall variations
in thefe, are owing probably to errors in obferving,
rather than to the clock itfelf. I do not pretend in
obferving to diftinguKh nearer than to half a
fecond; though the calculations are fet down in
decimals.

In

[ s6i 3

In the middle of February, when the firft change
was, the froft was intenfe ; and the pendulum did
not, for fome days, throw-out fo far by about 7' as
it generally did ; which was about 1° 37' on one
fide, and i® 40' on the other. At the change in
Auguft, I obferved no difference. It appears by
thefe trials as if the clock gained in warm and loft
in cooler weather : but this is not clear. It began
to gain before the weather grew warm. Whether
this be owing to damp, or any other caufes i longer
experience and abler obfervers may difcover.

[ VoL. LXI. 4 C' 1770

[ 5^2 3

1770

Clock
+ too fall
— too flow

Varies from
mean time
per day

1771

Clock
too fall
— too flow

Varies

pr.day

/ //

n

/

//

n

11 Nov. I

j3 Pegafi

Cl. + 0,5

If Jan.

10

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43»7

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a Andromcdae

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1 1

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— I

44»2

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¥

n

Opr. eq.Ak.&Tr.

2,6

B Andromeda

— I

42,3

—0,8

O

4

Fomalhaut

— 2,7

0

13

»i Pleiadum

— I

45.6

|3 Pegafi

*— 1,8

—0,8

22

Rigel

— r

54.9

—1,0

i

‘3

0

—i3»4

“-1,0

¥

25

Rigel

— 2

0.7

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Q Pegafi

— 10,0

— 0,9

0

27

y Andromeda

— 2

1.3

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» Andromcdee

—10,5

—0,9

? Feb.

I

Rigel

— 2

9.7

— 1.3

h

17

0

— 18,0

—1,1

0

3

© per equal Alt.

— 2

12,

B Pegafi

: -—16,9

—1.7

1)

4

0

:: — 2

13.3

••-1,3

a Andromeda;

— 16,9

—1,6

<?

5

0

: — 2

15.5

:-2,2

20

0

—21,5

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« Pleiadum

— 2

16,1

-1.3

(3 Pegafi

•—19,6

— 1,0

Rigel

— 2

17. S

— 1,9

a Andromedaj

— 21,2

-1,8

If

7

Sirius

3

19.3

h

24

£ Pegafi

22,5'

5

1 1

0

— 2

17,0

—0,5

B Pegafi

21,5

—0,5

S

1 2

0

— 2

'5.5

+ 1,5

D

26

a

“23>9

>3

Sirius

— 2

16,4

+ 0,5

2^7

7 Ce:i

-—24,4

If

14

0

— 2

15. 1

+ 0,2

28

G

—25,6

—0,5

Rigel

— 2

1C.4

+ 0,2

CC ^

—25.7

—0,9

Sirius

— 2

16,6

— 0,2

O Dec. 1 6

y Andromedae

:: — 51,

|0

>7

Sirius

— 2

14.

+ 0,8

y?

22

Fomalhant

— I 6,4

—1.3

23

Rigel

— 2

>3.4

+ 0,2

B Pegafi

— I 6,3

— 1,6

^Mar. 9

Caftor

— 2

5.2

o

23

B Pegafi

— I 7H

—1,1

Procyon

— 2

5.5

+ »,7

y Andromedae

— I 6,3

0

10

Caftor

— 2

3.5

25

a Ceti

— I 14,0

Procyon

: —2

4.3

+ 2,0

i;

27

Rigel

— I 16,3

1

1 1

Procyon

— 2

2,3

y Orionis

: —I 15,9

$

»3

a. Orionis

— 2

0,4

+ 1,1

^ Orionis

— I 17,3

Caftor

— 2

0,2

+ 0,5

e Orionis

— I 17,0

Procyon

— 2

>.3

+ 0,4

o

30

a. Andromedae

: — I 22,2

¥

15

at Orionis

— I

59.6

:+o,5 '

B Andromedae

— I 22,0

Sirius

: — 2

0,1

:+0,5

1771

Procyon

: — 2

0.5

+ 0,5

0 Ian. 6

B Andromedae

—I 37>5

—2,1

h

23

Sirius

— I

56,1

+ 0,5

y Andromedae

— > 37.5

— 2,2

Procyon

— 1

56.3

8

« Andromeda

—I 40,5

—2,0

0

24

at Hydra

— I

55.6

+0,6

B Andromeda

39.3

— 0,8

5

27

0 per equal Alt.

— 1

51,8

+ >.4

Rigel

— I 40,4

—2,0

If

28

at Hydra

— I

50,1

+ 1,0

9

0

: — > 43.3

h

30

Opr.eq.Alt.&Tr.

— I

48,8

+ 0,3

B Andromeda

— I 40,1

•—0,8

0

31

Sirius

— I

49,8

+0,3

y Andromeda

— I 40,8

— i»i

D Apr.

I

0

— 1

48,2

+ 0,4

B Medufa

— I 41,

Sirius

— I

49.4

+0,0

Rigel

— I 41,5

—1,1

$

2

0

— 1

48,2

+ I.+

10

y Andromeda

—I 4>>9

— i»t

Sirius

— I

48,0

1771

[ 5^3 ]

11771

Clock
too fail
— too flow

Varies from
mean time
per day

1771

Clock
+ too fall
— too flow

Varies

pr.day

/

//

//

f

ft

ft

Apr. 2

Procyon

Cl—i

48,4

+ Oj8

l+June

20

X Coronte

Cl. +38,4

a Hydrae

— I

48,3

+ 0,4

?

21

0

+ 39.7

-{“1.6

3

0

: — I

47

: +1,2

X Coronae

+ 39.3

+0.9

5

0

— I

4S»3

-f 0,9

Antares

+ 39.3

4*1.1

8

0

— I

43»7

+0,;

h

22

0

+ 40.6

+0,9

Sirius

— I

43>S

+ 0,7

25

0

+

43,4

+1.4

Procyon

— I

44>3

+ 0,7

Antares

: +•

45*5

+1.5

9

0

— I

4i>7

+ 2,0

* Ophiuchi

+

46

Sirius

— I

42.4

+ 1,1

U

27

0

+ 47.75

+1,2

Procyon

— I

42,4

+ 1.9

T?

29

0

+

5J.2

+1.7

11

0

— I

38.5

+ 1,6

Arfturus

+

51,0

Sirius

— I

39»5

+ 1.4

Antares

+

51,6

+ L5

13

0

— I

37.?

+0,^

^ July

2

0

+-

56.8

+ 1.9

» Hydras

— I

37._?

+ 1,0

5

3

Antares

+■

58.7

+ 1.8

17

0

— I

30,0

+ 1,9

?

5

0

: + I

0,2

+ I.I

19

Regulus

— I

26,4

0

21

X Ophiuchi

+ I

30.9

+ 1.7

20

0

— I

25

+ 1.7

5

2 2

X Ophiuchi

+ I

32,8

+ 1.9

25

/3 a

— I

19.4

d'

23

(3 Lyras

+ I

34.3

27

OperecpAlt.&Tr.

— I

16,2

+ ^.3

24

0

+ 1

35.1

+ 1,8

■ May 5

(3 a

—

59’5

+ 2,0

b

27

0

: + I

40,8

+ 1.9

12

/3 a

—

47.6

+ 1,7

J)

29

X Lyra

+-I

47.7

13

)3 a

—

45.4

+ 2,2

V- Aug. 1

0

+ I

52,0

4-2.2

16

/3 a

: —

42,4

+ 1,0

h

3

X Aquila

: +i

58.1

Spica Ti^

—

40,9

0

4

X Lyra

59.2

4-1.9

18

Spica

—

38,6

+ 1,2

« Aquila

+ i

59

+0,9

*9

Spica

—

3 ^’.2

+ 2,4

D -J

5

0

+2

0.3

+ 2,1

' 21

0

—

34.0

+ 1,8

X Lyra

+2

1. 1

+ 1.9

Spica

—

33.4

+ >.4

6

X Lyra

+2

3.0

+ 1.9

24

0

—

27-,8

H“2,0

5

7

0

+2

3.9

+ 1,8

27

Spica inji

—

19.8

+ 2,3

U

8

X Lyra

+2

6,9

+ 1.9

Arflurus

—

20,9

?

9

0

+ 2

7.2

+ L7

iS ITI ,

—

19,6

b

10

0

: +2

9.0

+ I.S

28

Arfturus

—

18,3

+ 2,6

X Lyra

+ 2

9.7

+ 1.4

' 29

0

— -

15.4

+ 2.5

1 ?

0

: +2

18,9

+ 2,0

JJune I

Spica tijj

—

5.5

+ 2.9

?

16

X Aquila

+ 2

20,9

-f- 1 ,8

2

Arftuvus

—

3.2

+3,0

b

17

0

+2

20,3

;+o,7

y Bootis

—

3,0

X Lyra

+2

21.3

+ 1.7

5

0

+

5>3

+ 2,9

X Aquila

+ 2

21,8

+0.9

8

0

13.2

+ 2,6

5

26

0

+2

26,1

+0,6

Spica VtJl

+

14,1

+ 2,8

d

27

0

+2

25.5

—0,6

10

0

18,0

+ 2,4

X Lyra

+2

26,4

4*0.5

18

0

+

34.0

+ 2,1

If

29

X Aquila

+ 2

25.7

+ 0,3

Antarcs

+

36.1

?

30

Q

+ 2

26,1

+0,2

I77J

4 C 2

177*

S Aug. 30 ^ yy

3«

I Sept. 9

h

O

a

U

10

12

16

«

2»

#oa.

o

* Aquilae
5 Aquilae
vy 2
0 vy
« vy 2
^ vy
o

14 ©

Lyras
y Aquilx

15 0 Equal Alt.
ct Aquilae
0 xi:
y vy

Fonialhaut
170 per Tranfit
per equal Alt.
i8jS vy

Opr.eq.Alt.&Tr.
Aquilas
Aquilae

0 vy

« Lyrac
« Aquilae
O

y Aquilae
« Aquilae
0 xs
y vy
o
o

30 V Pegafi

I 0

*9

30

31

25

27

28

r 564 ]

Clock
“k too fall
— <too flow

+2 r
+2 j
+2 If,

+ 2 *3.7

+ 2 14,1
+ 2 12,0
4-2 11,9
+ 2 11,6
4-2 II, X

0,1

0,1

1,2

0,2

C1.+ 2 24,7

+ 2 24,3 Cl. 1,8

+ 2 27
+ 2 25,5
+ 2 25,5
'•f-2 25,6
+ 2 25,4
+ 2 25,5
-f2 2i;,o
+ 2 22,6
-f2 22,8

+ 2 22,9
+ 2 20,4
+ 2 22,4
+ 2 21,3
+ 2 21,1
-f2 21,;

+ 2 20,9

4-2 20,;

4-2 19,8
4-2 19,0
+ 2 18,4
4-2 18,7
4-3 18,7
-i-2 17,9
4-2 18,

+ 2 16,

*>»3

Varies from
mean time
per day

—0,7
—0,9
— 0,9
—0,9

— I, I

— 0,8
— 0,6

—*►4
-1,1
>,8
>,8
>,8
—0,7

—0,3

1771

^oa. I

r?

V

i

9

?

D

?

*5

16

18

21

25

26

29

30 y

* vy 2
o

* Lyra;

* Aquilae

4 O

* Aquilas
Fomalhaut
0 pr.equalAlt

10 0
y Aquilae

* Aquilae

11 0

y Aquilas
» Aquilae

12 O
y Aquilae
« Aquilae

14 y Aquilae
Aquilae
y vy

G

ct Lyras
0
O
O
O

y Aquilae
a Aquilae
0

Aquilas
ct Aquilas
0 Pegafi

Clock
too fall
— too flow

Varies

pr.day

//

7.4

7.5

«

.7

— 0,8

-fo,s
>»*
.4
'.4
•0,7

... OiS
7,4— 0.7
6,6— 0,8
6,6 —0,9
6,8 — o,(

6,7

CI.+2 10,;

+ 2 10,3
-f-2 11,6
4*2 11,6
-f2 11,3

~1"2 I I
4-2 10,9
+ 2 10,9
-|-2

-i-2
-|-2
-i-2

-f-2
-f2
-f2

4-2

-\-2 4,6

+ 2 4,3

-4-2 4,6
+ 2 3,4

+ 2 2,4

-1-2 2,1
+ * 59.9
+ * 55.3

+ * 47.5

■ft 46,4
-4-1 46,;

+ i 46.7

-ki 40,4 —
-4-1 39.1“"
i"* 39.3
+ i 38.

6,3 —o.;

6,4*

4-0,1

’770

I

[ S6s ]

From thefc Obfervations it appears that the rate of the
clock was as follows.

1770

Nov. I

17

38

Dec. a 2

3c

, *771

Jan. I -
Feb. I

14

March 9

April I
*5

5

18

I

18

3
21

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oft.

16

30

I

1

1

31

Clock
-p too fall
— too flow

■f"

+
+
4- 1

1

■h 2
+ 2

2
+ 2

2
+ i

3 +

it

S +

0*5

16.9

2S»7

6.4

22.0

45.6

9.7

15.4

5.5

0,0

49.4

37.5

59.5

38.6

30.1

S^>7

30.9

57.1
20;

24.7
22,4

10.7

3.4

38.1

Grain

or

Lofs

-17.4
- 8,8
-40.7

-15,6

—23,6
— 24,1

— 5.7

+ 10,1
+

+ 10,6
+ H.9
+38,0
+20,9

+33.1

+41,6

+22,6

+3^.2

+26,2
+23,8
3.8

— 2,3

—11,7

— 7.3

25.3

? +

Numb.

of

Days

16

1 1
24

8

H

'9

»3

23

6

17

12
22
‘3

14

17

15

18

*3

13

H

»6

16

M-

16

Rate

per

Day

— M
—0,8

— 1.7

— 1,9

— 1,7

—1.3
— 0,4

+0,4

+ 0,9
+o,6
+ 1,0

+ 1,7

+ 1.6
+2,4
+2.4

+ ».5

+ 1,8

+2,0

+1,8

+0,5

—0,1

—0.7

— o,^
—1,6

I will here add a few other obfervations I have
made fince I fettled in this place, the lat. of which
is 51® 24' 33" North, and the long, is i8,"5 in time,
Eaft of the Obfervatory at Greenwich.

Occultations of flars by the Moon.

1770 App. time

1>Apr. 7 e SI Imm. ii 29 2_j obferved witha 12 inefirefleftor.
h 28 { ^ Imm. 9 £i £6: windy and doubtful; fame telefc.

1771

[ 566 ]

^ June 1 8 The Moon’s lower limb juft covers a. {mail ftar. The imm.

on the dark part, to which the ftar feemed to adhere above
two minutes ; and, though not at all difcoloured, loft a
little of its brightnefs, but difappeared at laft inftantane-
oufly. Apparent time lo i 49

The Em. on the light part and doubtful 10 to 46
Obferved with a 3I feet achrom, magnifying too times.

^ July 23 2f* ^ I believe

Imm. 10 41 36,5 certain 3^ achrom. mag. 150
Em. II 43 27 :: doubtful

JJ Sept. 1 8

* VJ
<3 VJ

Imm.

1mm.

IX 56 51 good I
12 2 47 good J

3|- achrom. mag. 150

The emerfions not till after the Moon was fet.

\

1770
$ July 13
h 21

©Aug. 5
© 28

5f

1771

I) July 22

It Aug. I

h 17

S 27
? 30

®Sept. 9
J 16
50a. 2
S II
h 26

Eclipfcs of Jupiter’s Satellites.

App. time

9 6 24 Firft Sat. Em.

9 3 8;: Fourth Sat. Imm.

9 57 43" Em.

9 20 42 Firft Sat. Em.

9 43 3” Eirft Sat. Em. y. near ])
9 I 41 Second Sat. Em.

112 In. Refleaor mag. 55
. Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

Ditto

App, time

8 46 20::

9 8 5:;

10 30 54::

8 51 9

9 32
3

12 18

*5:

1 1

8

3

20

II II

9
6
6

35 56
3 16

14 25
4 16

Second Sat. Em. cloudy .3I Achrom. mag. 100
Third Sat. Em. cloudy 3I Achrom. mag. 100
Firft Sat. Em. cloudy 3^ Achrom. mag. 100
Firft Sat. Em. 12 Inch Reft. mag. 35

Fourth Sat. Imm. hazy 3J Achrom. mag. 100
Second Sat. Em. Ditto

Firft Sat. Em. Ditto

Firft Sat. Em. Tf. but 30 30' high Ditto''
Firft Sat. Em. Ditto

Firft Sat. Em. Ditto

Third Sat. 1mm. ' Ditto

Second Sat. Em. Ditto

Chiflehurft, Nov. 2,
*77*v

Francis Wollafton.

LII.

[ 567 J

LII. An Account of a pure native cryfalifed
Natrony or fojfil alkaline Salt, which is
’ fou7id in the Country of Tripoli in
Barbary : By Donald Monro, M, D.
Phyfician to the Army^ and to St. George’s
Mofpitaly Fellow of the Royal College of
PhyfcianSy and of the Royal Society,

Read Dec. 19, X T is Well know.p that the nitre, or na-
1771* of the antients, which they ufed

for making of glafs {a), and in their baths (^), and for
other purpofes, was not the fait which now goes by
tha name of nitre, or faltpetre ; but a fait of an al-
kaline nature, which, at prefent, is commonly called
the natron of the antients, or the foffil alkali.

(a) See an account of the making of glafs with nitre and fand
in C. Plinii Secundi Hift. natural. Tom. Ill, lib. xxxvi. cap. 26,
— and an account of its medicinal virtues, ibid. lib. xxxi.cap. 10.
— And Tacitus, in mentioning the river Belus in India, fays,
“ Circa cujus os collecSlae arenae, admixto nitro, in vitrum exco-
“ quuntur.” Lib. v. Hift. fe£l. y.

(b) Nitre is mentioned as ufed in baths, in feveral parts of
the Holy Scripture, particularly by the prophet Jeremiah. See
chap. ii. ver. 22. The nitre, or natron, is likewife taken no-
tice of by many other of the ancient authors.

The

3

[ 5^8 ]

The knowlege of it was entirely loft for feveral
centuries, but was revived in the laft, by the Ho-
nourable R. Boyle, formerly a diftinguifhed member
of this Society, who, in his Short Memoirs for the
natural experimental Hiftory of Mineral Waters (c),
after telling us that it is of an alkaline nature, fays,
“ that he had fome of it brought from iEgypt, and
“ a neighbouring country, whofe name he did not
" remember.”

However, it was afterwards negleded, and its
properties as a diftindl fpecies of alkaline fait not
known for many years j for although chemifts^ ob-
ferved,. that a Glauber fait -and cubic nitre were
. formed by diflodging the marine acid from fea fait,
by means of the vitriolic and nitrous acids ; and from
thence fufpedfed that there was fomething particular
in the bafis of this fait i yet its true nature was not
difeovered till Monf. du Hamel du Monceau gave an
account, in the Memoirs of the French Royal Aca-
demy of Sciences for the year 1736, of his having
obtained it pure, in two different ways, ift, By
diflodging the marine acid by means of the vitriolic,
and then feparating it by the addition of a phlogifton,
and forming a hepar fulphuris, from which he pre-
cipitated the furphur by means of the vegetable acid,
and then feparated this acid from the bafls of fea fait
by the force of fire., adly. By diflodging the marine
acid from the fea fait by the addition of the nitrous,
and fo forming a cubic nitre, from which he dif-
lodged the acid, by deflagrating it with charcoal j

(c) See bis Notej on Title a6, page 86, of the edition printed
at London

and

C 5^9 ]

and then he purifyed the remainder by diHoIvIna It
jn water, and by filtrating and evaporating the liquor
and cryfialhfing the fait.

After he had obtained the bafis of Tea fait quite
pi.ie, e tiled a number of experiments with it, and
vvnh the natron of Egypt ; and found that they ’were
entirely of the fame nature, and that they were of a
dilbnd. fpecies of alkaline fait, different in their pro-
peities from the potafii, and other alkaline falts,
commonly obtained by burning wood, and mofi; othei-
vegetable fubflances ; and that they formed different

neutral falts with the three mineral acids, and with
the vegetable.

Ijiis lalt U likewife got from burning the Barilla,
the^Kah, and other marine plants ; and all that is at
preient ulcd in tliis country, by our manufadurers,
has been piepared in this manner.

Hitherto it has not been found native in the
we ern parts of Europe, except in mineral waters,
und in the neighbourhood of volcanoes, or at places
where they are alledged to have exifted formerly;
but It has Jong been found in Egypt, and near to
Smyrna, and in other eaftern countries, commonly
mixed with earth, in a floury or concrete form ; in
lome places pretty pure, in others more mixed (d).

In the year 1764, a refpedable member of this
Society Dr. \Vm. Heberden, gave an account of a fait
of this kind, which was found on the Picof Tenerif
where there is^ a volcano, and added feveral very
ingenious experiments of the Honourable Henry Ca-

(^) SeeHofFman. Phyf. Cher

iVl^tcr. iV^ cd IC3 j p3.rt C3p«

P'^S’ 55* 2nd other authors.

VoL. LXI. 4D

lib. ii. obr. I. — GcofFroy,
Shavv’s Travels, Excerp-t,

vendifli.

[ 570 ]

vendiili, to prove that the vegetable alkali has a
greater affinity with acids than the foffil or natron.

It is probable, that this fait got at the Pic of Te-
nerif is the bafis of fea fait, whofe acid has firfl been
dillodged, either by the force of fire, or by the acid
of decompofed fulphur, which has afterwards been
attracied by a freffi phlogiflon, and both feparated
by the force of fire ; though it is not at all impoffible
but that there may be magazines of this foffil fait
lodged native in the bowels of this mountain.

Hitherto we have no account, that I know of, of
its being found any-where native in a cryftalline
, form, and in large quantity j and therefore I imagined
that the following hiflory would be a8:reeable to the
Societv.

In the year 1765, Mrs White, widow to the late
Conful V/hite of Tripoli, on her return to this
country, ffiewed me a fubfiance which, ffie laid,
had a very particular property of bubbling up, or
fermenting, when mixed with lemon juice. Imme-
diately, on feeing and faffing it, I fufpeaed it to be
a pure native natron, or foffil alkali j and was con-
firmed in this opinion, by mixing it with different
acids ; and I have fince had a few pounds of it fent
home tome, and forne gentlemen in the city have
imported fome hundred weight of it.

On enquiring into the hiflory of this fait, I was told
that it was brought yearly to Tripoli, in large quan-
tities, from the mountains in the inland part of the
country, and that it went by the name of Trona j
that the in’nabitants fometimes took an ounce, or
more of it, by way of phyfic, and that it commonly
operated both as an emetic and purgative medicine ;

that

[ 571 3

that the principal ufe they made of it, was to mix it
with their fnuff, to give it, what they think, an
agreeable fharpnefs ; and that it was yearly fent to
Conftantinople, in large quantity, to be employed
for the fame purpofe. But, fo far as I can learn,
the Turks are entirely ignorant of its nature, and
employ it for no other uCes.

It is well known that this fait does not run per
deliqiiium^ but falls down into a white floury pow-
der, when expofcd to the air ; and that it makes a
harder and firmer foap than the common vegetable
alkali, and is alledged to make a purer and a finer
glafs.

This fait, which I have the honour now to prefent
to the Society, is extremely pure, difibives entirely in
water, leaving only afmall quantity of a reddifh. earth
behind. I tried what quantity of acid an ounce of
this fait would faturate, and found that it faturated
as much as near two ounces and a half of the com-
mon grofs barilla, in the form it is commonly im-
ported. I had it likewife tried by callico printers,
and it was found to anfwer all their purpofes, and
nearly in the fame proportion with refpedl to the grofs
barilla, as above-mentioned, and I was told that it
was thought to anfwer better than any other fait they
had ever tried.

Mofi: of the neutral falts made with this alkali and
acids (except the cubic nitre) keep long without
running per deliquium^ even thofe made with vege-
table acids } for mofi: of the neutral falts made with
vegetable acids, and with fome of the fait now be-
fore you, which I had the honour to prefent to this
Society in the year 1767, ftill remain entire, though

4 D 3 kept

[ ]

kept only in a clofe drawer, in the fame tea-cups and
fnial! balbn?, without any cover, as they were (hewn
to the Society.

I have not hitherto been able to learn in what par-
ticular place of the inland part of Tripoli in Barbary
this fait is tbund, nor how it is difpofed of in the bowels
of the earth : but it fhouid fecni to run in thin veins,
of about half an inch, ora little more thick, in a bed or
i'ea fait ; for all of it that has Ihthei to been imported
into this country is covered with fea fait on each fide.
The one fide is always fmoother than the other, and'
appears as if it had been the bafis on which it refted;
the other, w’hich (hould feem to be the upper fide,
is rougher, by the fhooting, of the crydals. I'he pieces,
of the thin veins appear almoft as if the fait had been
difToIvcd in water, and afterwards boiled up into thirr
cryffallifed cakes, orrly that the cryflals are much
fmall'er, and’difpofed in a manner that cannot eafily be
imitated by art ; for when this fait is dillblvcd, and'
evaporated to a pellicle, and left to cryftallife, it ahvays
fhoots into cryflals refembling thofe of Glauber fait.

Brown paper dipt into a folution of this fait, after.
It is dry burns almoft as if it had been dipped in a
folution of true nitre, as Dr. Heberden had ob-
ferved of the fait got at the Pic of Tenerif; which
iTews, that it contains more of an inflammable prin-
ciple than the common vegetable alkali.

There are great mines of fea fait in the country of
Tripoli, the fait of which ihould feem to contain a-
large proportion of this natron ; for, I am told, that alf
the meat faltfcd with it acquired a red colour.

This native alkaline fait having never beenTub-
je^kd to the force of fire, is perfectly mild, and con-
I " tains-

C 573 1

tains no cauftic parts, as the barilla, and the common;
potafhes prepared by burning wood and plants, or
the falts thrown out by volcanoes commonly do j
and therefore, it will be found to be much more ufeful
for bleaching and waflaing linens, and for cleaning
and fcowering cotton or woollen ftuffs, and for many
other purpofes,^ than any other alkaline fait hitherto
known, at the fame time that it will anfwer every pur-
pofe for which the other kinds of the foffll alkali are
employed

When, this fait is to be ufed for making-rocheile or
other neutral falts, or for wafhing or bleach-
ing linen, it ought hrfl to be diflblved in pure water,,
and the folution be allowed toftand for. fome time, till
the reddilh or brown earth has all precipitated to the
bottom, and then the pure liquor ought to be poured
off, and what remains at the bottom be thrown into
a filter ; for, if this precaution is not taken, the reddifh
earth is in danger of giving a flight brown or reddifli
colour to the neutral falts,, or to affedl the colour
of the linen..

LI1.L

[ 574 2

LIII. T^he ^iuantity of the Sun s Parallax,
as deduced frotn the Obfervations of the
T^ranft of Venus, on June 3, 1769 :
By Thomas Hornfby, M. A. Savilian
Profef hr of Af rono77iy m the U7uverfiy
of Oxford, and F, R. S.

Read Dec. 19, ^ | HRE uncertainty as to the quantity
1771- Jl^ Sun’s parallax, deduced

from the oblervations of the tranfit of Venus in
1761 (whether it arofe from the unfavourable pofi-
tion of the planet, fo that a fufficient difference of
time in the total duration of the tranfit was not, and
indeed could not be, obtained from obfervations
made at different places; or fiom the difagreement
of the obfervations of different aflronomers, which
were to ferve as terms of comparifon) feems now to be
entirely removed : and from the obfervations made
in diftant parts by the aftronomers of different na-
tions, and efperially from thole made under the pa-
tronage and diredlion of this Society, the learned
of the prefent time may congratulate themfelves on
obtaining as accurate a determination of the Sun’s
diftance, as perhaps the nature of the fubject will
admit.

C 57 5 ]

The two following Tables gi
fervations themfelves, but alio
ferences of time from which t
duced.

Table '

Places.

Latitude.

Obfervers names.

IW ardhus.

.Cola.

iiudfon’s Bay.
California.

KC. George’s Ifland.

0 / //

70 22 36 N.
68 52 56 N.

58 47 32 N.

23 3 37 N-

17 28 55 S.

F. Hell.

M. Rumonfky.
J M. Wales.

1 M. Dymond.

Abbe Chappe.
rCapt. Cook.

J Mr. Green.
LDr. Solander.

;e not only the ob-
the computed dif-
[le parallax was de-

Int. Cont. at
Ingrefs

Int. Cont, at
Egrefs

Obf. Dur. i

H. ' "

i. ' "

H. ' "

9 34

5 27 24,6

5 33 H f

9 42 4

‘5 3S 23

5 53 19

I 15 21,3

7 0 45 5

5 45 24.2 1

I 15 25,3

7 0 4^’5

5 45 23,2!

0 17 27,9

5 54 5o>3

5 37 32-4

21 44 15.5

3 14 13

5 '29 57 ’5 1

21 43 55,5

3 H 3

5 30 7’5

1

21 44 2,5

J

Table II.

DifF-rence of

Obferved durations.

comp, durat

H.

f

ff

/

//

rKing George’s Ifland.

5

29

52,5

3H36

Wardhus.

5

53

14

23

s Kola.

5

53

19

23

41,09

Hudfon’s Bay.

5

45

23’7

15

51,90

■ California.

5

37

324

7

42,43

r California.

5

37

32:4

48-93

Wardhus.

5

53'

14

15

Kola.

5

53

19

16

4,41

. Hudfcn’s Bay.

5

45

23>7

8

9’47

r Hudfon’s Bay.

' 5

45

23 7

39^46

J Wardhus.

5

53

14

7

1 Kola.

5

53

19

7

49H9

Difference of
obferv. durat.

Sun’s parallax.

/ ff

ft

23 21,5

8,639

23 26,5

8,61 1

15 31^2

8,511

7 29,9

8,464

15 516

8,724

15 56

8,629

8 1,3

8^555

7 50,3

8,905

7 55’3

8,813

8,650

The

Mean of all

C 57 '6 ■]

ihe iecond column of the fecond Tabic contains
the obierved duration, or interval of time, between
the two internal contaas ; the third contains the dif-
ference of each duration, deduced by computation
upon afupporuion that the Siin’s parallax wasr^8",
on the day of the tranfit; the fourth, the differenc
ot that duration, as determined by adual obferva-
tion : In the laft column is given the horizontal par-^
Silax on the day of ihe tranfit, refulting from a
companfon of the third and fourth column^

Iri the above comparifon, I have, u fed Captain
Cook s o^ervation at the ingrefs, and a mean of his
and Mr. Green’s obfervations at the egrefs ; becaufe
. upon a comparifon of the oblerved times at the in-
grds and egrefs, made at the feveral places, when
reduced to the center of the Earth, upon a fuppo-
htion that the Sun’s parallax on the day of the tranfit
was 8 ,65, the difference of meridians, as deduced
trorn Captain Cook’s obfervation at the ingrefs, a<^rees
much better with the fame differences deduced from
a mean of tne two obfervations at the egrefs, than
diofe denved either from the obfervation of Mr.
Oreen, Dr. Solander, or even from a mean of all
the three obfervations, as appears from the following
■comparifon. °

VVardhus.

a ''-I

I

I

\

[ 577 ]

Obferved times.
EfFedt of parallax.
Reduced times.

Obferved times.
Effect of parallax.

Reduced times.

Wardhus. |

California.'

ingrefs.

H. ' "

9 34 ^0,6
-}- 6 35,6

Egiefs.
l-l. ' "

15 27 24,6
— 4 35^9

Ingrels.
H. ' "

0 17 27,9
4- 24,9

Egrels.

H. ' "

5 54 5°>3

+ 4 52

9 40 46,2

15 22 48,7

0 17 52»8 1 5 59 42,3

Kola.

Hudfon’s Bay.

Ingrefs.

9 42 4

+ 6 37,4

Egrels.
15 35 23
— 4 45’i

Ingrefs.

I 15 23,3

+ 4 i5’9

Egrefs.

7 0 47
+ 0 38,7

9 48 4-I14

15 30 37>9 1

I ig 39,2

7 I 25,7

King George’s Ifland.

Obferved times.
Effedl of parallax.

Capt. Cook.
21 44 15,5
5 40,4

Ing

Mean.

21 44 4,5
5 40,4

refs.

Dr. Solander.
21 44 2,5
5 40,4

Mr. Green.
21 43 55,5
5 40,4

Egrefs.

Mean,

3 H 8
+ 6 23,8

Reduced times.

21 38 35>i

21 38 24,1

21 38 22,1

21 38 15,1

3 20 31,8

Ditto at Wardhus.

9.40 46,2

9 40 46,2

9 40 46,2

9 40 46,2

15 22 48,7

Difference of meridians.

12 2 II, I

12 2 22,1

12 2 24,1

12 2 31,1

12 2 16,9

Ingrefs.

Egrels.

Capt. Cook.

Mean.

Dr. Solander.

Mr. Green.

Mean.

Reduced times at K. Gr Ifl.

21 38 35,121 38 24,1

21 38 22,1

21 38 15,1

3 20 31,8

Ditto at California.

0 17 52,8

0 17 52,8

0 17 52,8

0 17 52,8

5 59 42,3

Difference of meridians.

2 39 0’7

2 39 28,7

2 39 30,7

2 39 37,7

2 39 10,5

Ingrefs.

Egrefs.

Capt. Cook.

Mean.

Dr. Solander.

Mr. Green.

Mean.

Reduced times at K. G. Ifl.

21 38 35,1

21 38 24,1

21 38 22,1

22 38 15,1

3 20 31,8

Ditto at Kola,

9 48 41,4

9 48 4*, 4

9 48 41,4

9 48 41,4

15 30 37’9

Difference of meridians.

12 10 6,3

12 10 17,3

12 10 IQ,'^

10 10 26,3

12 10 6,t

Ingrels.

Egrels,

Capt. Cook.

Mean.

Dr. Sola'nder.

Mr. Green.

Mean.

Reduced times at K. G. Ifl.

21 38 35,1

21 38 24,1

21 38 22,1

zi 38 15,1

3 20 31,8

Ditto at Hudfon’s Bay.

I 19 39,2

I 19 32,9

I 19 39,2

I 19 39,2

7 I 25,7

Difference of meridians.

3 4» 4,1

3 41 15’’

3 41

3 41 24,1

3 40 53>?

VoL. LXI.

4E

The

[ 5?8 ]

The near agreement of the difference of me-
ridians between King George’s Ifland and the four
other places, as deduced from Captain Cook’s obferv-
ation at the ingrefs, and from a mean of his and
Mr. Green’s obfervations at the egrefs, fufEciently,
I think, fliew that the obferved duration at King
George’s Ifland is at leaft 5*^ 29' 5^'' 3 5 • And, from
a comparifon made in the fame manner with the ob-
fervations at Hudfon’s Bay, it might be fliewn that
the time of the egrels is uncertain to a few feconds,
owing, perhaps, to the hazinefs of the air peculiar
to that climate, even at the altitude of 10 or 12 de-
grees.

By the end of the Sun’s eclipfe on the morning
after the tranfit, the longitude of Wardhus from
Paris, according to Father Hell, is 55' 6" E. of
Paris, or 2*^ 4' 22 ' E. of Greenwich : and, accord-
ing to the obfervation of Mr. Rumoufky, Kola is
2^ 2' 55'' E. of Paris, or 2^ 12' 1 P' E, of Green-
wich. The point therefore at ’King George’s Ifland,
where the tranfit was obferved, is 9*^ 57' 53'^6
149° 28' 24'' W. of Greenwich; Vill St. Jofeph
in California is 7^ 18' 421" — 109° 40' 37'' W. of
Greenwich ; and Prince of Wales’s Fort in Hudfon’s
Bay 6*^ 16' 49 1'' 94'' 12' 22'' W. of Green-

wich.

From the near agreement of the feveral refults
before found, which are independent of the know-
ledge of the longitude of each place, and affeded
only by the neceffary error in obferving, the ac-
curacy of the obfervation made at the Cape of Good
Plope in 1761, by Meffieurs Mafon and Dixon, is
abundantly confirmed ; -by comparing which with

the

[ 579 ]

the befl obfervatlons made in the places whofe longi-
tudes were very nearly afcertained,the Sun's parallax on
the 5th of June was found ~ 8^ ,692 And Mr.
Pingre, notwithflanding the feveral arguments very
fpecioufly produced in favour of his own obfervation
at the Ifland of Rodrigues, as reprefented in his
learned Mernoire on the Sun’s Parallax, will pro-
bably be" of opinion, that an error of one minute
was committed in writing down the time of his ob-
fervation, as was conjedured by many perfons, as
well as myfelf j a miftake to which the mod: expe-
rienced obferver is fometimes liable, when at the time
of obfervation the minute is nearly compleated.

The parallax on the 3d of June being 8^,65, the
mean parallax will be found to be =: B'',78 j and
if the femidiameter of the Earth be fuppofed
= 3985 Englidi miles, the mean didance of the
Earth from the Sun will be 93,726,900 Englifli
miles. And, as the relative didances of the planets
are well known, their abfolute didances, and con-
fequently the dimenfions of the Solar Sydem, will
be as follows.

Relative didance.

Abfolute didance.

Mercury,

387,10

36,281,700

Venus,

725,33

^7>795>5oo

Earth,

1000,00

93,726,900

Mars,

1523.69

142,818,000

Jupiter,

5200,98

487,472,000

Saturn,

9540,07

894,162,000

Oxford, Dec. 17, 1771,

* See Phil. Xranf. Vol. LIII. for the Year 1763. p. 491.

4 E 2 LIV. ^

[ sSo ]

%

LIV. A Letter from Mr, R. E. Rafpe^
f, R, S, to M. Maty, M, D, Sec, R. S.
containing a Jhort Account of fome Bafalt
Bilk in Haflia

Dear SiVy

Gaficl, November 29, 1769.

Read Feb. 8,
1770.

I

HAVE lately difeovered in tha
neighbourhood of this city, feveral
hills, compoled of bafalt rocks, formed in polyedrous
and mofUy pentagonal columns.. As this fort of ftone
has hitherto met with few obfervers, and. affords many
curious lingularities, 1 defire you to lay before the
Royal Society, the following account of my re-
fearches..

Our bafalt rocks differ from thofe of the Giant’s
Caufeway in Ireland, by their want of articulation ;
and from thofe anciently found at .Syena in Egypt,
and deferibed with tolerable exadnefs by Strabo,,
Lib. xvii. by their being lefs thick, and not ex-

* The printifig of this paper was poftponed, cit account of
the delays and difficulties which attended the fending of the
plates, which the author dcfired miglit be executed ii> the btfl
manner, under his eyes.

ceeding

C 3

ceedmg eTght or ten inches in breadth, on unequal
lengths from five to thirty feet,

, The colour, hardnefs, weight, and fnbfiance of
thefe ftones fufiiciently fhew them not to belong to
the genus of the marbles, amongft which Mr. Da-
cofta ranked them in imitation of the ancients.

Their fubfiance is vitreous, analogous to that of the
horny ftones ; they refift aqua fortis, and the chizzel:
and only yield to a violent fire and the engravers wheel.
Being worked in this manner they acquire the polilh
of the ancient bafaltes, named by the Italians Marmo
paragone, I have not yet completed a chemical
analyfis of thefe ftones, which they richly deferve,
chiefly as they contain fmall nefts of cryftals of
tin ore, yellow, green, and black. Thefe probably
greatly contribute towards giving to our ftones their
fingular and conftant form. They feem to have ac-
quired that form, in a different manner from that
which influenced the ftrata and veins of other
mountains. Laftly, no marks or impreflions of any
organical bodies are found either in the out or inlide-
of thefe ftones.

From all thefe confideratlons I was induced fo^
attribute their origin, to a watery cryftallifation,.
which might have taken place, either at the firft
fettling of the chaos, or at the time of a diflblution;
of a great part of our globe. I had faid the fame
thing in regard to the Giant’s Caufeway,.in my ac--
count of the formation of new iflands. But 1 now
begin to entertain fome doubts about that opinion,, for.'
thefe two reafons.

r. In the explanation of the plates of the French!
Encyciopedie,. 1 find that an. obfervation made by-

[ 582 ]

Mr. Defmareft, has induced him to attribute the ori-
gin of thefe ftony columns to the matter of volcanoes
refrigerated from fuhon, having found the Auvergne
bafaltes placed on beds of lavas and Icorias, jull dole
to the opening of an extinguiflied volcanoe.

2. I difeovered the fame appearance at Habich-
fwald about Weiflenftein near Caflel. The top
of the mountain, on which the famous cafeades of
the Landgrave Charles are built, and which the
Englidi troops made the place -of their encampment
after the battle of Willemflahl, is hardly compofed
of any thing but enormous pieces of lavas and Icorias.
Somewhat lower, and near the middle of the moun-
tain, are found the bafaltes. Many of thefe are formed
in polyedrous pillars ; but feme, which are the neareft
to the aforefaid lava, only con fid; of fliapelefs roundifh
maffes. On the other fide of the mountain, and at
a fmall diflance from the lavas and fcorije, is found one
of the richeft coal mines I ever faw, in a bed of the
thicknefs of eighteen feet.

The Duke of Rochefoucault, at Paris, an eminent
lover and encourager of natural hiftory, has likewife
afiured me, that at Bolfena in Italy, the bafaltes are
found near the lavas of an ancient volcanoe, and that
the whole ifland of Sicily, chiefly on the fide of
mount Etna, abounds with the fame.

Hence, it may be allowable to attribute with Mr.
Defmarcfl: the origin of the bafaltes to volcanoes.
This opinion is further fupported from many cir-
cumftances ; wiz;. the vitreous, and hitherto pro-
blematical fubflance of thefe flones ; the want of
marine bodies, and laftly, the well-known experiment
of fome melted metals, which, when hardened, appear

6 in

>1

Mf

V,. ;

■ • . #' /
:•

r<!\^

k;^/3

PJu/cs Trwis. Yd . ZXl . Tah 2YVII

r^asaK ^c^ock

*

[ 583 ]

in cryftalllzations not unlike thofe of watery con-
gelations.

1 muft not however omit that the other bafalt-
mountains, which J have feen in Haffia, about Felf-
berg, Aldenberg, and Gudenfberg, have (hewn me
bafaltes without any addition ; thelb mountains ftand-
ing by themfelves, and fliewing no traces of either
lavas or fcoriae.

For the illuftration of this paper, I have caufed .
two engravings to be made j viz. Tab. XVIII. of the
bafalt-rock near Gudenfberg j and Tab. XIX. of the
bafaltes of Felfberg.

/

I am, with particular regard.

Dear Sir,

Your very obedient fervant,

E. Rafpe.

LV. An

[ S84 ]

LV. An Atte?npt to explain fojne of the prm-^
cipal Phcenomena of EleElrkity^ by Means
of an elaftc Fluid: By the Ho7iourable
Henry Cavendifli, F, R. S.

O paper, I find that this way of
accounting for tne phsenomena of electricity, is not
flew. iEpinus, in his Tentamen Theorise eledlricitatis
-6c magnetifmi, has made ufe of the fame, or nearly
the fame hypothefis that I have ; and the conclufions
he draws from it, agree nearly with mine, as far as
he goes. However, as I have carried the theory
much farther than he has done, and have confidered
the fubjedl in a different, and, I flatter myfelf, in a
more accurate manner, I hope the Society will not
think this paper unworthy their acceptance.

The method I propofe to follow is, firfl, to lay
flown the hypothefis j next, to examine by ftrid ma-
thematical reafoning, or at leafl, as ftriCf reafoning as
the nature of the fubjeCf vvill admit of, what confe-
quences will flow from thence ; and laftly, to ex-
amine how far thefc confequences agree with fuch ex-
periments as have yet been made on this fubjed:. In
a future paper, I intend to give the refult of fome
experiments I am making, with intent to examine
^ rtill further the truth of this hypothefis, and to find
out the law of the eleCtric attradion and repulfion.

^ Hvpo-

$

7

tf n

C 5*5 3

HypOTHESISi

N

There is a fubftance, which I call the cleAric
fiaid, the particles of which repel each other and
attradf the particles of all other matter, with a force
inverfely as fome lefs power of the difcance than the
'cube : the particles of all other matter alfo, repel
each other, and attra(fl thofe of the eleftric fluid, with
a force varying according to the fame power of the
diflances. Or, to exprefs it more concifely, if you
look upon the eledtric fluid as matter of a contrary
kind to other matter, the particles of all matter, both
thofe of the eleflric fluid and of other matter, repel
particles of the fame kind, and attradf thofe of a
contrary kind, with a force inverfely as fome lefs
power of the diftance than the cube.

For the future, I would be underftood never to
comprehend the eledtric fluid under the word matter,
but only fome other fort of matter.

'It is indifferent w’hether you fuppofe all forts of
matter to be indued in an equal degree with the
foregoing attradfion and repulflon, or whether you
fuppofe fome forts to be indued with it in a -
greater degree than others ; ‘but it is likely that the
eledtric fluid is indued with this property in a much
greater degree than other matter; for in all proba-
bility the weight of the eledfric fluid iu anybody bears
but a very flnall proportion to the weight of the
matter ; but yet the force with which the cledlric
fluid therein attradls any particle of matter mull be
equal to the force with which the matter therein
VoL, LXh '4^ -repek

[ 586 ']

repels that particle ; otherwife the body would ap-
pear electrical, as will be fliewn herealter.

^ To explain this hypothdis more fully, fuppofe that
I grain of eleCtric fluid attraCls a particle of matter,
at a given diftance, with as much force as n grains
of any matter, lead for inltance, repel it : then will
I grain of eleCtric fluid repel a particle of eleCtric fluid
with as much force as n grains of lead attraCl it ; and
I grain of eleCtric fluid will repel i grain of eleCtriq
fluid with as much force as n grains of lead repel n
grains of lead.

All bodies in their natural ftate, with regard to
electricity, contain fuch a quantity of eleCtric fluid
interfperfed between their particles, that the attraction
of the eleCtric fluid in any fmall part of the body on
a given particle of matter lhall be equal to the re-
pulfion of the matter in the fame fmall part on the
fame particle. A body in this Hate I call faturated
with eleCtric fluid : if the body contains more than
this quantity of eleCtric fluid, I call it overcharged :
if lefs, I call it undercharged. This is the hypothe-
fls ; I now proceed to examine the confequences
which will flow from it.

I

f %

Lemma I.

Let EA£’(TAB.XX.fig.i.)reprefent a cone continued
infinitelyj let A be the vertex, and 'Qb and Y)d planes
parallel to the bafe j and let the cone be filled with
uniform matter, whofe particles repel each other
with a force inverfely as the n power of the diftance.
If n is greater than 3, the force with which a particle

at

[ 587 ]

at A is repelled by E B or all that part of the cone
beyond is as

For fuppofing A B to flow, the fluxion of is

proportional to — ABx AB% and the fluxion of its

repulflon on A is proportional to ; the fluent

of which is — ; which when AB is infinite '

n — 3 X A B"— 3

is equal to nothing j confequently the repulflon of
E B if is proportional to of to

" Corollary.

If AB Is infinitely fmall, is infinitely great >

therefore the repulflon of that part of the cone be-
tween A and Bb, on A, is infinitely greater than the
repulflon of all that beyond it.

L E M M A II.

By the fame method of reafoning it appears,; that
if n is equal to 3, the repulflon of the matter be-
tween B b and D i on a particle at A, is proportional

A D

to the logarithm of ^ ; confequently, the repulflon

of that part is infinitely fmall in refpedl of that be-
tween A and B b^ and alfo infinitely fmall in refped:
of that beyond D d.

4F2 Lemma

[■ 588 ]

Lemma III.

In like manner, if n is lefs than 3, the repulfion of
the part between A and on A is proportional to
AB3-»: confequently the repulfion of the matter
between A and on A, is infinitely fmall in refpedt
of that beyond it.

Corollary..

It Is ealy to fee from thefe three lemmata, that, if
the eledtric attradlion and repulfion had been fup-
pofed to be inverfely, as-fome higher power of the-
diftance than the cube; a particle could not have-
• been fenfibly affeaed by the repulfion of any fluid,
except what was placed clofe to it. If the repulfion
was inverfely, as the cube of' the diflance, a particle'
could not be fenfibly aflcdfed by the repulfion of any
finite quantity of fluid, except what was clofe to it..
But as the repulfion is fuppofed to be inverfely as
lome power of the diftance lefs than the cube, a par-
ticle may be fenfibly afieaed by the repulfion of a-
finite quantity of fluid, placed at any, finite diflance
from it.

D E F I N I T ro N;

If the elediric fluid in any body, is by any means
confined in fuch manner that it cannot move from
one part of the body to the other, 1. call.it immove-.
able: if it is able to move readily from one part to,
iinother,, I call, it moveable. .

I

V. R

[ s89 ]'

PROPOSI.TION I.

\

A body overcharged with elefl.rlc fluid attra£ls or
repels a particle of matter or fluid, and is at-
traded or repelled by it, with exadly the fame-
force as it would, if the matter in it, together
with fo much of the fluid as is fufficient to fatu-
rate it, was taken away, or as if the body con-
fifled only of the redundant fluid in it. In like
manner an undercharged body attrads or repe]&>
with the fame force, as if it confifted only of
the redundant matter ; the ekdric fluid, together
with fo much of the matter as is fufficient to
faturate it, being taken away..

This is evident from the definition offaturation..

P R O P. II;

Two over or undercharged bodies attrad or repd!
each other with jufl; the fame force that they
\yoLild, if each body • confifted' only of the re-
dundant fluid, in it, if overcharged, or of the.
redundant matter in it, if undercharged.

For, let the two bodies be. called A and B ; by
the laft propofltion the redundant fubftance in B
impels each particle of fluid and matter in A', and'
confequently impels the whole body A, with the.
fame force that the whole body B impels it: for the'
lame reafon the redundant fubftance in A' impels the-
redundant liibftaixce in B, with the (ame. force that

thee

[ 59° ]

tlie whole body A impels it. It is fliewn therefore,
that the whole body B impels the whole body A,
with the fame force that the redundant ‘fubftance in
B impels, the whole body A, or with which the whole
body A impels the redundant fubftance in B ; and
that the whole body A impels the redundant fubftance
in B, with the fame force that the redundant fub-
ftance in A impels the redundant fubftance in B ;
therefore the whole body B impels the whole body
A, with the lame force with which the redundant
llibftanco in A impels the redundant fubftance in B,
or with which the redundant fubftance in B impels
the redundant fubftance in A.

Corollary.

Let the matter in all the reft of fpace, except in two
given bodies, be laturated with immoveable fluid j
and let the fluid in thofe two bodies be alfo immove-
able, Then, it one of the bodies is faturated, and the
other either over or undercharged, they will not at all.
attract- or repel each other.

. If the bodies are both overcharged, they will repel
each other.

If they are both undercharged, they will alfo repel
each other.

If one is overcharged and the other undercharged,
they will attract each other.

N. B. In this corollary, when I call a body over-,
charged, I would be underftood to mean, that it
is overcharged in all parts, or at leaft no where

under-

'[ 591 1

undercharged : in like manner, when I call it
undercharged, 1 mean that it is undercharged in
all parts, or at lead: no where overcharged.

PROP. III.

If all the bodies in the univerfe are faturated with
eledric fluid, it is plain that no part of the fluid
can have any tendency to move.

PROP. IV.

“ \

If the quantity of eledtric fluid in the univerfe is
exactly fufficient to faturate the matter therein,
but unequally difperfed, fo that fome bodies are
overcharged and others undercharged; then, if
the eledric fluid is not confined, it will immedi-
ately move till all tlie bodies in the univerfe are
faturated.

For, fuppofing that any body is overcharged, and
the bodies near it are not, a particle at the furface of
that body will be repelled from it by the redundant
fluid within ; confequently fome fluid will run out .
of that body; but if the body is undercharged, a
particle at its furface will be attracted towards the
body by the redundant matter within, fo that fome
fluid will run into the body.

N. B. In Prob. IV. Cafe III. there will be fliewn
an exception to this propolition ; there may
perhaps be fome other exceptions to it : but I
3 think

[ 59* 3

^thlnk there can be no doubt, but what ^'iVpro-'
.pofition muft hold good in general.

Lemma IV,

Let B D E, bde, and ^ e (fig. 2.) be concentric
fpherical turfaces, whofe center is C : if the fpace *
is -filled with uniform matter, whofe particles
repel with a force -inverfely, as the fquarc of tlie ,
difiiance, a particle placed any where within the fpace
<C b, as at P, will Joe repelled with as much force in
^one direition as another, or it will not be impelled
in any diredion. This is demonftrated in Newt.
Princip. 'liber I. prop. Ivx. It follows alfo from his
piemonllration, that if the rcpulfion is inverfely, as
’fomc higher power of the diflance than the fqiiare,
the particle P will be impelled towards -the center ;
and if the repulfion is inverfely as fome lower power
than the fquarc, it will be impelled from the
•center.

L K M xM A V.

IF the rcpulfion is inverfely as the fquare of the
dlltance, a particle placed any where without the
fphere B D E, is repelled by that IJahere, and alfo by
the fpace B by with die fame force that it would if all
the matter therein was colleded in the center of the

* uy the fpace or Bi?, I mean the fpace comprehendeJ
hvrwccn the fpherical furfaces BDE and or betw^ccfi

T> D E and by the fpace C ^ or C /3, I mean the fphe.^es

iw/r or (S'f.

[ 593 ■]

fphere ; provided the denfity of the matter therein is
every where the fame at the fame diftance from the
center. This is eafily deduced from prop. 71. of
the fame book, and has been demonftrated by other
authors.

PROP. V.

Problem i. Let the fphere BDE be filled with
uniform folid matter, overcharged with electric
fluid : let tlie fluid therein be moveable, but
unable to efcape from it : let the fluid in the
reft of infinite fpace be moveable, and fufficient
to faturate the matter therein j and let the
matter in the whole of infinite fpace, or at leaft
in the fpace B/3, whofe dimenfions will be
given below, be uniform and folid ; and let the
law of the eledric attraction and repulfion be
inverfely as the fquare of the diftance : it is re-
quired to determine in what manner the. fluid
will be difpofed both within and without the
globe.

Take the fpace fuch, that the interftices be-
tween the particles of matter therein fhall be j^ufl:
fufficient to hold a quantity of eleCtric fluid, whofe
particles are prefled clgfe together, fo as to touch each
other, equal to the whole redundant fluid in the
globe, befides the quantity requifite to faturate the
matter in B ^ ; and take the fpace B (3 fuch, that the
matter therein fhall be jufl: able to faturate the re-
dundant fluid in the globe : then, in all parts of the
fpace B the fluid will be prefled clofe together, fo
;VoL. LXI. 4 ^ ' that

... [ 59+ ,] , .

that its particles fliall touch each other ; the fpace
B/S will be intirely deprived of fluid; and in the
fpace Cby and all the reft of infinite fpace, the mat-
ter will be exactly faturated.

For, if the fluid is difpofed in the above-mentioned
manner, a particle of fluid placed anywhere within
the fpace Qb will not be impelled in any dire<ftion
by the fluid in Bb, or the matter in B{3, and will
therefore have no tendency to move : a particle
placed anywhere without the fphere will be at-
tracted with juft as much force by the matter in B(3,
as it is repelled by the redundant fluid in Bby and
will therefore have no tendency to move : a particle
placed anywhere within the fpace Bb, will indeed
be repelled towards the furface, by all the redundant
fluid in that fpace which is placed nearer the center
than itfelf ; but as the fluid in that fpace is already
prefled as clofe together as pofllble, it will not have
any tendency to move; and in the fpace B/3 there is
no fluid to move, fo that no part of the fluid can
have any tendency to move.

Moreover, it feems impoflible for the fluid to be
at reft, if it is difpofed in any other form ; for
if the denfity of the fluid is not everywhere the fame
at the fame diftance from the center, but is greater
near b than near dy a particle placed anywhere between
thole two points will move from b towards d ; but
if the denfity is everywhere the fame at the fame
diftance from the center, and the fluid in is not
prelied clofe together, the fpace Cb will be over-
charged, and confequently a particle at b will be re-
pelled from the center, and cannot be at reft : in
like manner, if there is any fluid in B /3, it cannot

[ 595 ]

be at reft : and, by the fame kind of reafonlng, It
might be fliewn, that, if the fluid is not fpread uni-
formly within the fpace C and without the fphere
/3 (J'g, it cannot be at refl<

Corollary I.

If the globe B D E is undercharged, every thing
elfe being the fame as before, there will be a fpace
B 3, in which the matter will be intirely deprived of
fluid, and a fpace B in which the fluid will be
prefTed clofe together ; the matter in B/^ being equal
to the whole redundant matter in the globe, and the
redundant fluid in B/3, being juft fuflicientto faturate
the matter in B<^: and in all the reft of fpace the
matter will be exactly faturated. The demonftration
is exacftly fimilar to the foregoing. ’

C O R O L. II.

The flird in the globe B D E will be difpofed in
exadly the fame manner, whether the fluid without
is immoveable, and difpofed in fuch manner, that
the matter fhall be everywhere faturated, or whether
it is difpofed as above defcribed ; and the fluid with-
out the globe will be difpofed in juft the fame man-^
ner, whether the fluid within is difpofed uniformly^
or whether it is dilpofed as above delcribed.

‘4 Gr 2

PRO Pc

[ 596 ]

PROP. VI.,

Pros. 2. To determine in what manner the fluid
will be difpofed in the globe BDE, fuppofing
every thing as in the lafl: problem, except that
the fluid on the outlide of tlic globe is immove-
able, and difpofed in fuch manner as every-
where to faturate the matter, and that the elec-
tric attrad:’lion and rcpulflon is inverfely, as
fomc other power of the diflance than the
fquare.

I am not able to anfwer this problem accurately;
but I think we may be certain of the following cir-
cumftances.

Case i. Let the repulflon be inverfely as fome
f>ower of the diflance between the fquare and the
cube, and let the globe be overcharged.

It is certain that the denfity of the fluid will be
everywhere the fame, at the fame diflance from the
center. Therefore, firfl, There can be no fpace as
C within which the matter will be everywhere fa-
turated j for a particle at b is impelled towards the
center, by the redundant fluid in and will
therefore move towards the center, unlefs Qh is fuf-
ficiently overcharged to prevent it. Secondly, The
fluid clofe to the furface of the fphere will be prefl'ed
clofe together ; for otherwife a particle lb near to it,
that the quantity of fluid between it and the furface
Ihould be very fmall, would move towards it ; as

the repulflon of the flnall quantity of fluid between

*

It

[ 59? ]

it and the furface, would be unable to babincc the
repuHion of the fluid on the other fide. Whenec, x
think, we may conclude, that the denfity ot tiie
fluid will increafe gradually from the center to the
furface, where the particles will be preflTed clofe to-
gether : whether the matter exadtly at the center
will be overcharged, or only faturated, I cannot
tell.

Corollary.

For the fame reafon, if the globe be under-
charged, I think we may conclude, that the denfity
of the fluid will diminifh gradually from the center
to the furface, where the matter will be' entirely de-
prived of fluid.

Case 2. Let the repulfion be inverfely as fome
power of the diftance lefs than the fquare 3 and let
the globe be overcharged.

There will be a fpace B b, in which the particles
of the fluid will be everywhere preifed clofe toge-
ther ; and the quantity of redundant fluid in that
fpace will be greater than the quantity of redundant
fluid in the whole globe B D E ; fo that the fpace
C b, taken all together, will be undercharged : but
I cannot tell in what manner the fluid will be difpofed
in that fpace.

For it is certain, that the denfity of the fluid will
be everywhere the fame, at the fame diftance from
the center. Therefore, let b be any point where
the fluid is not preifed clofe together, then will a
particle at b be impelled towards the furface, by the

redundant

3

[ 598 1

redandant fluid in the fpace therefore, unlefs
the fpace Qb is undercharged, the particle will move
towards the furface.

Corollary.

For the fame realbn, if the globe is undercharged,
there will be a Ipace Bby in which the matter will be
intirely deprived of fluid, the quantity of matter
therein being more than the whole redundant matter
in the globe; and, confequently, the fpace C^,
taken all together, will be overcharged.

Lemma VI.

Let the whole fpace comprehended between two
parallel planes, infinitely extended each way, be
filled with uniform matter, the repulfion of whofe
particles is inverfely as tne fquare of the diftance ;
the plate of matter formed thereby will repel a par*
ticie of matter with exadtly the lame force, at what- -
ever diftance from it, it be placed.

For, fuppofe that there are two fuch plates, of
equal thicknefs, placed parallel to each other, let

^ 3‘) point not placed in or between

the two plates : let B C D reprefent any part of the
-neareft plate : draw the lines AB, AC, and AD,
cutting the^ furtheft plate in b, €, and for it is
plain, that if they cut one plate, they muft, if pro-
duced, cut the other : the triangle BCD is to the
tiiangle bcj^ as AB^ toA^*; therefore a particle
of matter at A will be repelled with the fame force
by the matter in the triangle BCD, as by that in
bed. Whence it appears, that a particle at A will

be '

1

[ 599 1

be repelled with as much force by the neareft plate,
as by the more diflant ; and confequently, will be
impelled with the fame force by either plate, at
•whatever dillance from it it be placed.

Corollary.

If the repiihion of the particles is inverfely as fome
higher power of the dillance than the fquare, the
plate will repel a particle with more force, if its
diflance be fmall than if It be greats and if the re-
pulfion is inverfely as fome lower power than the
fquare, it will repel a particle with lefs force, if its
diftance be fmall than if it be great.

PROP. VII.

Prob. 3. In fig. 4. let the parallel lines Ka\
&c. reprefent parallel planes infinitely, ex-
tended each way let the fpaces ^ A D and
E H be filled with uniform folid matter : let
tlie eledlric fluid in each of thofe fpaces be
moveable and unable to efcape : and let all the
reft of the matter in the univerfe be faturated
with immoveable fluid j and let the eledric at-
traction and repulfion be inverfely as the fquare
of the diftance. It is required to determine in.
what manner the fluid will be difpofed in the
fpaces AD and EH, according as one or both,
of them are over or undercharged.

'■* By the fpace AD or AB, He. I mean the fpace compre-
hended between the planes A« and D d, or between A a and

Let

[ 6oo ]

Let A D be that fpace which contains the
greateft quantity of redundant fluid, if both fpaces
are overcharged, or which contains the lead redun-
dant matter, if both are undercharged j or, if one is
overcharged, and the other undercharged, let A D
be the overcharged one. Then, firft, There will
be two fpaces, A B and G H, which will either be
intirely deprived of fluid, or in which the particles
will be prefTed clofe together ; namely, if the whole
quantity of fluid in A D and E H together, is lefs
than fufflcient to fatqrate the matter therein, they
will be intirely deprived of fluid ; the quantity of
redundant matter in each being half the whole re-
dundant matter in AD and EH together: but if
the fluid in A D and E H together is more than
fufflcient to faturate the matter, the fluid in A B
and GH will be prefled clofe together; the quantity
of redundant fluid, in each being half the whole re-
dundant fluid in -both fpaces. 2dly, In the fpace
C D the fluid wjll be prefled dole together ; the
quantity of fluid therein being fuch, as to leave jufl:
enough fluid in BC to faturate the matter therein,
3dly, The fpace EF will be intirely deprived of
fluid ; the quantity of matter therein being fuch, that
the fluid in F G flaall be jufl: fufflcient to faturate the
matter therein : confequently, the redundant fluid in
C D will be jufl fufflcient to faturate the redundant
matter in EF ; for as AB and GH together con-
tain the whole redundant fluid or matter in both
fpaces, the fpaces B D and E G together contain
their natural quantity of fluid ; and therefore, as
BC and FG each contain their natural quantity of
fluid, the fpaces CD and EF together contain their

natural

[ 6oi ]

natural quantity of fluid. And, 4thly, The fpaces
Be and FG will be faturated in all parts.

For, firfl, If the fluid is difpofed in this manner,
no particle of it can have any tendency to move :
for a particle placed anyw'here in the fpaces B C and
F G, is attradted with jufl; as much force by E F, as
it is repelled by C D i and it is repelled or attracted
with juft as much force by A B, as it is in a con-
trary diiedtion by G td, and, confequently, has no
tendency to move. A particle placed anywhere in
the fpace C D, or in the fpaces A B and G H, if
they are overcharged, is indeed repelled with more
force towards the planes D d, A a, and FI h, than it
is in the contrary diredion ; but as the fluid in thofe
fpaces is already as much comprefled as poflible, the
particle will have no tendency to move.

2dly, It feems impoflible that the fluid fliould be
at reft, if it is difpofed in any other manner : but as
this part of the demonftration is exadly fimilar to
the latter part of that of Problem the flrft, I fhali
omit it.

C 0 R O L. I.

If the two fpaces A D and E H are both over-
charged, the redundant fluid in CD is half the dif-
ference of the redundant fluid in thofe fpaces : for
half the difference of the redundant fluid in thofe
fpaces, added to the quantity in A B, which is half
the fum, is equal to the whole quantity in A D. For
a like reafon, if A D and E FI are both undercharged,
the redundant matter in E F is half the difference of
the redundant matter in thofe fpaces j and if A D is

VoL, LXl* 4 ff over-

[ 602 } .

overcharged, and E H undercharged, the redundant
6uid in CD exceeds half the redundant fluid in AD,-
by a quantity fufficient to faturate half the redundant
matter in EH.

COROL, IL

s

It was before faid, that the fluid in the fpaces AB‘
and GH (when there is any fluid in them) is re-
pelled againfl: the planes A a and H h ; and, confe-
quently, would run out through thofe planes, if there
was any opening for it to do fo. The force with
which the fluid prelTes againfl: the planes ha and
H is that with which the redundant fluid in A B
is repelled by that in G H 3 that is, with which
half the redundant fluid in both fpaces is repelled by
an equal quantity of fluid. Therefore, the preflure
againfl: ha and H/6 depends only on the quantity of
redundant fluid in both fpaces together, and not at
all on the thicknefs or diftance of thofe fpaces, or on-
the proportion in which the fluid is divided between
the two fpaces. If there is no fluid in A>B and GH,
a particle placed on the outfide of the fpaces A D •
and EH, contiguous to the planes ha or Hi6, is
attra<fted towards thofe planes by all the matter in
A B and G H, id ejl, by all the redundant matter
in both fpaces ; and, confequently, endeavours to
inflnuate itfelf into the fpace AD or E H ; and the
force with which it does fo, 'depends only on the
quantity of redundant matter in both fpaces together..
The fluid in C D alfo prefTes againfl the pi ane Dr/,,
and the force with which it does fo, is that with

-which-

[ 6o3 ]

which the redundant fluid in C D is attra(5led by the
matter in E F.

C 0 R O L. HI.

If AD is overcharged, and EH undercharged,
and the redundant fluid in A D is exadly fufficient
to faturate the redundant matter in E H, all the re-
dundant fluid in AD will be colledted in the fpace
C D, where it will be prefled clofe together : the
fpace EF will be intirely deprived of fluid, the quan-
tity of matter therein being juft fufftcient to faturate
the redundant fluid in G D, and the (paces A C and
F H will be everywhere faturated. Moreover, if an
opening is made in the planes ha or H the fluid
within the fpaces AD or E H will have no tendency
to run out thereat, nor will the fluid on the outfide
have any tendency to run in at it ; a particle of fluid '
too placed anywhere on the outfide of both fpaces,
as at P, will not be at all attradled or repelled by
thofe fpaces, any more than if they were both fa-
turated ; but a particle placed anywhere between
thofe fpaces, as at S, will be repelled from d to-
wards e i and if a communication was made between
the two fpaces, by the canal de, the fluid would
run out of AD into EH, till they were both fa-
turated.

4 H 2

PROP.

[ 6o4 ]

PROP. vm.

Pros. 4. To determine in what manner the fluid'
v/ill be difpofed in the fpace A D, fuppofing
that all the reft of the univerfe is faturated
with immoveable fluid, and that the eledtric
attraction and repulfion is inverfely as fome
other power of the diftance than the fquare.

I am not able to anfwer this Problem accurately,-
except when the repulfion is inverfely as the fimple-
or fome lower power of the diftance i but I think
we may be certain of the following circumftances.

Case i. Let the repulfion be inverfely as fome
power of the diftance between the fquare and the
cube, and let AD be overcharged.

Firft, It is certain that the denfity of the fluid
muft be everywhere the fame, at the fame diftance
from the planes Ka and D^. 2dly, There can be
no fpace as BC, of any fenfible breadth, in which
the matter will not be overcharged. And, 3dly,
The fluid clofe to the planes A a and'D^ will be
prefied clofe together.. Whence, I think, we may
conclude, that the denfity of the fluid will increafe
gradually from the middle of the fpace to the out-
fide, where it will be prelTed clofe together. Whe-
ther the matter exadtly in the middle will be over-,
charged, or only faturated, I cannot tell.

Case

[ 6o5 ]

Case 2. Let the repulfion be inver/ely as fome
power of the diftance between the fquare and the
fimple power, and let A D be overcharged.

There will be two fpaces A B and D C, in which
the fluid will be prefled clofe together, and the quan-
tity of redundant fluid in each of thofe fpaces will
be more than half the redundant fluid in AD; fo
that the fpace B C, taken all together, will be un-
dercharged ; hut r cannot tell in what manner the
fluid will be difpofed in that fpace. The demonflra-
tions of thefe two cafes are exadly fimilar to thofe.
of the two cafes of Prob. 2.

Case 3. If the repulfion is inverfely as the Ample
or fome lower power of the diftance, and AD is
overcharged, all the fluid will be colledted in the
fpaces AB and CD, and BC will be intirely de-
prived of fluid. If A D contains jufl fluid enough
to faturate it, and the repulfion is inverfely as the
diflance, - the fluid will remain in equilibrio, in
whatever manner it is difpofed ; provided its denflty
is everywhere the fame, at the fame diftance from
the planes A a and D^/: but if the repulfion is in-
verfely as fome lefs power than the Ample one, the
fluid will be in equilibrio, whether it is either fpread
uniformly, or whether it is all colleded in that plane
which is in the middle between A a and D d, or
whether it is all collected in the fpaces AB and
C D ; but not, I believe, if it is difpofed in any other
manner.

The demonftration depends upon this circum-
ftance ; namely, that if the repulfion is inverfely as
the- diftance, two fpaces AB and C D, repel a par-
ticle.

[ 6o6 ]

tide, placed either between them, or on the outfide
of them, with the fame force as if all the matter of
thofe fpaces was colleded in the middle plane be-
tween them.

It is needlefs mentioning the three cafes in which
A D is undercharged, as the reader will eafily fupply
the place.

Though the four foregoing problems do not im-
mediately tend to explain the phasnomena of eledri-
city, I chofe to infert them ; partly becaufe they feem
worth engaging our attention in themfelves ; and
partly becaufe they ferve, in fome meafure, to con-
firm the truth of fbme of the following propofitions,
in which I am obliged to make ufe of a lefs accurate
kind of reafoning.

In the following propofitions, I fliall always fup-
pofe the bodies I fpeak of to confift of folid matter,
confined to the fame fpot, fb as not to be able to
alter its fliape or fituation by the attradlion or re-
pulfion of other bodies on it : I fiiall alfo fuppofc
the eledric fluid in thefe bodies to be moveable, but
unable to efcape, unlefs when otherwife exprefled.
As for the matter in all the refl: of the univerfe, I
(hall fuppofe it to be faturated with immoveable
fluid. I fhall alfo fuppofe the eleblric attradion
and rcpulfion to be inverfely as any power of the
diftance lefs than the cube, except when otherwife
exprefled.

By a canal, I mean a flender thread of matter, of
fuch kind that the eledric fluid fliall be able to move
readily along it, but fliall not be able to efcape from
it, except at the ends, where it communicates with
other bodies. Thus, when I fay that two bodies

com-

.[ 6o7 ] ■

communicate with each other by a canal, I mean
that the fluid fliall be able to pafs readily from one
body to the other by that canal.

PROP. IX.

If any body at a .diflance from any over or under-
charged body be overcharged, the fluid within
it will be lodged in greater quantity near the
furface of the body than near the center. For,
if you fuppofe it to be fpread uniformly all over
the body, a particle of fluid in it, near the furface,
will be repelled towards the furface, by a greater
quantity of fluid than* that by which it is re-
pelled from it; confequently, the fluid will
flow towards the furface, and make it denfer
there : moreover, the particles of fluid clofe to
the furface will be prefled clofe together ; for
otherwife, a particle placed fo near it, that the
quantity of redundant fluid between it and the
furface Ihould be very fmall, would move to-
wards it ; as the fmall quantity of redundant
fluid between it and the furface would be un-
able to balance the repulfion of that on the
other fide.

From the four foregoing, problems it feems likely,,
that if. the eledlric attraction or repulfion is inverfely
as the fquare of the diftance, almofl: all the redun-
dant fluid in the body will be lodged clofe to the
furface, and there prefled clofe together, and the
reft of the body will be faturated. If the repulfion
is inverfely as fome power of the diftance between
7 the

[ 6o8 ]

‘ the fquare and the cube, it is likely that all parts of
the body will be overcharged : and if it is inverfely
as fome lei's power than the fquare, it is likely that
all parts of the body, except thbfe near the furface,
will be undercharged. ^

Corollary.

For the fame reafon, if the body is undercharged,
the deficiency of fluid will be greater near the furface
than near the center, and the matter near the furface
will be intirely deprived of fluid. It is likely too, if
the repulfion is inverfely as fome higher power of
the diflance than the fquare, that all parts of the
body will be undercharged : if it is inverfely as the
fquare, that all parts, except near the furface, will
be faturated : and if it is inverfely as forne lefs power
than the fquare, that all parts, except near the fur-
face, will be overcharged.

PRO P. X.

Let the bodies A and D (fig. 5.) communicate
with each other, by the canal E F j and let
one of them, as D, be overcharged ; the other
body A will be fo alfo.

For as the fluid in the canal is repelled by the re-
dundant fluid in D, it is plain, that unlefs A was
overcharged, fo as to balance that repulfion, the fluid
would run out of D into A.

In like manner, if one is undercharged, the other
muft be fo too.

PROP.

[ 6o9 ]

PROP. XI.

Let the body A (fig. 6.) be either faturated or over
■ or undercharged ; and let the fluid within it be
in equilibrio. Let now the body B, placed
near it, be rendered overcharged, the fluid
within it being fuppofed immoveable, and dif«
pofed in fuch manner, that no part of it fliall
be undercharged ; the fluid in A will no longer
be in equilibrio, but will be repelled from B :
therefore, the fluid will flow from thofe parts
of A which are nearefl; to B, to thofe which
are more diftant from it ; and, confequently,
the part adjacent to M N (that part of the fur-
face of A which is turned towards B) will be
made to contain lefs eledtric fluid than it did
before, and that adjacent to the oppofite furface
R S will contain more than before.

It mufl: be obferved, that when a fufficient quan-
tity of fluid has flowed from M N towards R S, the
repulfion which the fluid in the part adjacent to
M N exerts on the reft of the fluid in A, will be fo
much weakened, and the repulfion of that in the
part near RS will be fo much increafed, as to com-
penfate the repulfion of B, which will prevent any
more fluid flowing from M N to R S.

The reafon why I fuppofe the fluid in B to be
immoveable is, that otherwife a queftion might arife,
whether the attradion or repulfion of the body A
might not caufe fuch an alteration in the difpofition
of the fluid in B, as to caufe fome parts of it to be
VoL. LXI. 4 I under-

[ 6io ]

undercharged j which might make it doubtful, whe-
ther B did on the whole repel the fluid in A. It is
evident, however, that this propofltion would hold
good, though fome parts of B were undercharged,
provided it did on the whole repel the fluid in A.

Corollary.

If B had been made undercharged, inftead of over-
charged, it is plain that fome fluid would have
flowed from the further part R S to the nearer part
, MN, inftead of from MN to RS.

PROP. XII.

Let us now fuppofe that the body A commu-
nicates by the canal EF, with another body
D, placed on the contrary fide of it from B, as
in fig. 5 ; and let thefe two bodies be either fa-
turated, or over or undercharged ; and let the
fluid within them be in equilibrio. Let now
the body B be overcharged : it is plain that
fome fluid will be driven from the nearer part
M N to the further part R S, as in the former
propofltion ; and alfo fome fluid will be driven
from R S, through the canal, to the body D j
fo that the quantity of fluid in D will be in-
creafed thereby, and the quantity in A, taking
the whole body together, will be diminilhed ;
the quantity in the part near M N will alfo be
diminilhed ; but whether the quantity in the
part near R S will be diminiflied or not, does
not appear for certain j but I Ihould imagine it
would be not much altered.

C o R 0 L-

[ ]

Corollary.

In like manner, if B is made undercharged, fome
fluid will flow from D to A, and alfo from that part
of A near RS, to the part near MN.

PROP. XIII.

Suppofe now that the bodies A and D com-
municate by the bent canal M P N « ^
(fig. 7.) inftead of the ftraight one EF : let the
bodies be either faturated or over or undercharged
as before ; and let the fluid be at refl: ; then if
the body B is made overcharged, fome fluid
will ftill run out of A into D ; provided the
repulfion of B on the fluid in the canal is not
too great.

The repulfion of B on the fluid in the canal, will
at firfl: drive fome fluid out of the leg MP pm into
A, and out of NP/>« into D, till the quantity of
fluid in that part of the canal which is nearefl to B is
fo much diminifhed, and its repulfion on the reft of
the fluid in the canal is fo much diminifhed alfo as
to compenfate the repulfion of B : but as the leg
is longer than the other, the repulfion of B
on the fluid in it will be greater confequently fome
fluid will run out of A into D, on the fame principle
that water is drawn out of a veflel through a fyphon :
but if the repulfion of B on the fluid in the canal is fo
great, as to drive all the fluid out of the fpacc GPH
/>G, fo that the fluid in the leg yiGpm does not

4 I 2 join

[ 6i2 ]

join to that in N H />« ; then it is plain that no fluid
can run out of A into D ; any more than water will
run out of a veifel through a fyphon, if the height of
the bend of the fyphon above the water in the veflcl,
is greater than that to which water will rife in vacuo.

Corollary.

If B is made undercharged, fome fluid will run
out of D into A ; and that though the attradion of
B on the fluid in the canal is ever fo great.

PROP. XIV.

Let ABC (fig. 8.) be a body overcharged with
immoveable fluid, uniformly fpread ; let the
bodies near ABC on the outfide be faturated
with immoveable fluid ; and let D be a body
inclofed within ABC, and communicating by
the canal DG with other diflant bodies faturated
with fluid ; and let the fluid in D and the canal
and thofe bodies be moveable ; then will the
body D be rendered undercharged.

For let us firfl: fuppofe that D and the canal are fa-
turated, and that D is nearer to B than to the oppofite
part of the body, C j then will all the fluid in the
canal be repelled from C by the redundant fluid in
ABC; but if D is nearer to C than to B, take the
point F, fuch that a partiele placed there would be
repelled from C with as much force as one at D is
repelled towards C ; the fluid in D F, taking the

whole

C 613 ]

whole together, will be repelled with^ as much force
one way as the other ; and the fluid in F G is all of
it repelled from C : therefore in both cafes the fluid
in the canal, taking the whole together, is repelled
from C ; confequently fome fluid will run out of D
and the canal, till the attradion of the unfaturated
matter therein is fuflicient to balance the repulfion
of the redundant fluid in ABC.

PROP. XV.

If we now fuppofe that the fluid on the outfide of
ABC is moveable i the matter adjacent to ABC
on the outfide, will become undercharged. I
fee no reafon however to think that that will
prevent the body D from being undercharged j
but I cannot fay exadly what effed it will have,
except when ABC is fpherical and the repuHion
is inverfely as the fquare of the diflance ; in this
cafe it appears by Prob. 1. that the fluid in the
part D B of the canal will be repelled from C,
with juft as much force as in the laft propo-
fition ; but the fluid in the part BG will not be
repelled at all : confequently D will be under-
charged, but not fo much as in the laft pro-
pofuion.

Corollary.

If ABC is now fuppofed to be undercharged, it is
certain that D will be overcharged, provided the
master near A BC on the outfide is laturated witii im-
moveable

[ 6i4 ]

moveable fluid ; and there is great reafon to think
that it will be fo, though the fluid in that matter is
moveable.

PROP. XVI.

Let A E F B ( fig. 9. ) be a long cylindric
body, and D an undercharged body ; and let
the quantity of fluid in AEFB be fuch, that
the part near E F fliall be fatu rated. It appears
from what has been faid before, that the part
near AB will be overcharged j and moreover
there will be a certain fpace, as A^z3 B, adjoin-
ing to the plane A B, in which the fluid will be
prefled clofe together ; and the fluid in that
fpace will prefs againfl: the plane A B, and will
endeavour to efcape from it ; and by Prop. II.
the two bodies-will attrad: each other : now I
fay that the force with which the fluid prefles
againfl: the plane AB, is very nearly the fame
with which the two bodies attrad each other in
the diredion E A ; provided that no part of
AEFB is undercharged.

Suppofe fo much of the fluid in each part of the
cylinder as is fufficient to faturate the matter in that
part, to become folid ; the remainder, or the redun-
dant fluid remaining fluid as before. In this cafe the
preflhre againfl: the plane A B mufl: be exadly equal
to that with which the two bodies attrad each other,
in the diredion EA: for the force with which D
attrads that part of the fluid which we fuppofed to
become folid, is exadly equal to that, with which it

repels

I

C 615 ]

repels the matter in the cylinder} and the redundant
fluid \n'Eab¥ is at liberty to move, if it had any
tendency to do fo, without moving the cylinder j lb
that the only thing which has any tendency to impel
the cylinder in the diredlion E A is the prefliire of the
redundant fluid in A againfl: AB; and as the
part near E F is faturated, there is no redundant fluid
to prefs againfl the plane EF, and thereby to coun -
teradl the preflhre againfl AB. Suppofe now all the
eledfric fluid in the cylinder to become fluid j the
force with which the two bodies attract each other
will remain exa<flly the fame j and the only alteration
in the preflure againfl A B, will be, that that part of
the fluid in A^^B, which we at firfl fuppofed folid
and unable to prefs againfl the plane, will now be at
liberty to prefs againfl it ; but as the denflty of the
fluid when its particles are prefled clofe together
may be fuppofed many times greater than when it is
no denfer than fufficient to faturate the matter in the
cylinder, and confequently the quantity of redun-
dant fluid in AabB many times greater than that
which is required to faturate the matter therein, it
follows that the preflhre againfl: A B will be very
little more than on the firfl fuppofltion.

N. B. If any part of the cylinder is undercharged,
the preflure againfl AB is greater than the force
with which the bodies attradf. If the eledtric
repul (ion is inverfely as the fquare or fome
higher power of the diflance, it feerns very
unlikely that any part of the cylinder fliould
be undercharged j but if the repulfion is in-
verfely as fome lower power than the fquare, it

6 is

[ 6i6 ]

is not improbable but fome part of the cylinder
may be undercharged.

Lem m.a VII.

Let AB (fig. 10.) reprefent an infinitely thin
flat circular plate, feen edgeways, To as to appear
to the eye as a ftraight line ; let C be the center of
the circle; and let DC paffing through C, be per-
pendicular to the plane of the plate ; and let the
plate be of uniform thicknefs, and confifl; of uniform
matter, whofe particles repel with a force inverfely as
the n power of the diflance ; n being greater than

one, and lefs than three : the repulfion of the plate

, DC DC

on a particle at D is proportional to ;

provided the thicknefs of the plate and fize of the
particle D is given.

For if C A is fuppofed to flow, the correfponding
fluxion of the quantity of matter in the plate, is pro-
portional to C A X CA; and the correfponding fluxion
of the repulfion of the plate on the particle D, in the

direftion DC, is proportional to — — — X ryr, =

^ ^ iP— . for D A is to C A : : C A : D A ; the va-
DA”

DC

riable part of the fluent of which is •

^ n — I X D A

whence the repulfion of the plate on the particle D
. , DC DC

is proportional to

DC

DC

n — I X D C

1

n — I xD.V

or to

DC

— 1

DA

n — I

C O R O L-

r 617 ]

Corollary,

If DC”~* Is very fmall in refpea of CA”"'*, the
particle D is repelled with very nearly the fame force
as if the diameter of the plate was infinite.

Lemma VIII.

Let L and / reprefenft the two legs of a right
angled triangle, and ^ the hypothenule j if the fhorter
leg / is fo muchlefs than the other, that is very
fmall in refipedt of
fmall in relpe6t of

For " — L'^ -1-/^1

X i-h

7HV

i —

3^ — nxn — 1 xl*

8L^

— L3-" ~

2L”-‘ 8L”+*

X 3— H X X 3— « xn—ix

2L”~* 8L”+^

, &c. therefore

3' — nxP 3 — «x« — ixl'^

, See#

, &c. which

is very fmall in refipeft of P~”‘, as is by the
fuppofition very fmall in refped: of L”“*.

Lemma IX,

Let D C now reprefent the axis of a cylindric or
prifmatic column of u-nifbrm matter ; and let the
diameter of the column be fo fmall, that the re-
pullion of the plate AB on it fliall not be lenfibly
■different from what it would be, if all the matter
VoL. LXI. 4 K in

[ 6>8 ]

in It was collc6led in. the axis : tlie force with wliicii
the plate repells the column, is proportional to
D Q 3— ”_|^AC3— " — DA3~”j fuppofing the thicknel's
of the plate and bafe of the column to be given.

For, if DC is fuppofed to flow, the ccrrefponding

fluxion of the repulflon is proportional to —

DCxDC_ DC
~ D C”-^

A,C3-”+DC3-«— DA3

3— «

ni flies..

J fluent of which^K,

JJ A ''

— n

— , vaniflies when DC va-

c o R 0 L L. r.

If the length of the column is fo great that AC”"""^'
is very fmall in refped of DC’^’-S the repuUion of.
the plate on it is very nearly the fame as if the-
column was infinitely continued.

For by Lemma 8, A C3“”-|-DC3“" — D A.3~”
differs very little in this cafe from A C 3~'* ; and if
D C is infinite, it is cxadtly equal to it..

C o R o L L. IL

If AC’^’ is very fmall in refpe^ of anch

the point E be taken in DC fuch that EC” fliall.
be very fmall in refped of AC”~S the repulfion of
the plate on the fmall part of the column EC, is to-
its repulfion on the whole column D C, very nearly

as EC^~" to AC*-"'-

L E M M A\

[ 1

Lemma X.

If we now fuppofe all the matter of the plate to ba
colleifled in the circumference of the circle, fo as to
form an infinitely (lender uniform ring, its repulfioa
on the column DC wdll be lefs than when the matter
is Ipread uniformly all over the plate, in the ratio of

3 — « X A C’

AC"'

DA'"

to DC3-'’4- AC3-

D A 3-«.

For it was before faid, that if the matter of the
plate be fpread uniformly, its repuilion on the column
will be proportional to DCs— "-pAC3~” — DA3—
or may be exprelfed thereby ; let now A C, the femi-
diameter of the plate, be increafed by the infinitely
fmall quantity Acj the quantity of mattor in the
plate will be increafed by a quantity, which is to the
whole, as 2 A c to A C ; and the repulfion of the
f)late on the column, will be increafed by 3 — nx.

Acx AC^-” — -^CX^X3 — =3 — n

X A c X A C X — ^ — : therefore If a quan-

AC"-' DA"-‘ .

tity of matter, which is to the whole quantity in the’
plate, as 2 Ac to AC be colletffed in the circum-
(erence, its repulfion ob the column DC, wfill be to
that of the wdiole plate, as 3 — 7zxAcxAGx

iH, toDC3-'4-AC3-«— DA3-'q and
AC”~' DA"-*

confequently the repulfion of the plate when all the
matter is collected in its circumference, is to its re-

K 2 pulfi’::!!

[ 620 J

puUion when the matter is fpread uniformly, as
3 — «xAC^

X — , to

AC"-^ DA"-‘ ^

D As^«.

Coroll. I..

If the length of * the column is fo great, that
AC'^* is very fmall in refpedt of DC”~*, the re-
pulfion of the plate, when all the matter is collected
fn the circumference, is to its repuUion when the

matter is fpread uniformly, very nearly as ^ - —

to AC or as 3 — « to 2..

CoROLL, ir.

If E C Is very fmall ,in refpefl of AC the-
rcpulfion of the plate on the Ihort column E C, when
all the matter in the plate is colledled in its circum-
ference, is to its repulfion when the matter is fpread-

3 »X« ixEC^

uniformly, very nearly as toE C^'

4AC

or as 3 — — I xE C”~* to 4' AC"— * and is
therefore very fmall in comparifon of what it is when,
the matter is fpread uniformly^

For by the fame kind of procefs as was ufed in.
Lemma 8, it appears, that if E C* is very fmall in

refpea of AC\AC^x

AC

— ? — differs very

' EA"~*

little-

[ 621: J

from or from if

EC’^^ is very fmall in refpeaof AC”-S EC* is a-

fortiori very fmall in refpea: of AGV

Co ROLL. III*.

Suppofe now that the matter of the plate is denfer
near the circumference than near the middle, and"
that the denfity at and near the middle is to the mean
denfity, or the denfity which it would everywhere be
of if the matter was fpread uniformly, as <? to one>.
the repulfion of the plate on EC will be lets than if:
the matter was fpread uniformly, in a ratio ap-
proaching much nearer to that of <5^ to one, than to
that of equality..

C o R o L L. IVv

' Let every thing be as in the I aft corollary, and let
7T be taken to one, as the force with which the plate
adually repels the column DC (DC”-^ being very-
great in refped of AC"-') is to the force with
whicht it would repel it, if the matter was fpread
uniformly;: the repulfion of the plate on EC will
be to its repulfion on DC, in a ratio between that of
EC3— to ACs^x-tt, and that of EC3— « to
AC 3-» x7r,. but will approach much nearer to the
former ratio than to the latter,.

Bemma-i

[ ^22 ]'

L'e m m a XI.

In the line DC produced, take C F equal to C A:
If all the matter of the plate AB is colleded in the
'circumference, its repulfion on the column CD, in-
finitely continued, is equal to' the repulfion of the
fame quantity of matter colledted-in the point F, on
the fame column.

Imr.the repulfion of the plate on the column ira
the diredion CD, is the fame, whether the matter
of it be colleded in the whole circumference, or in
the point A. Suppofe it therefore to be colleded in
A; and let an equal quantity of matter be colleded
in F; .take FG conftantly equal to AD,; and let
A.D.and F-G flo.w: the fluxion of /CD is to the
fluxion of F G, as A-D to C D ; and the repulfion
of A on the point D, in the diredion CD, is to tlie
repulfion of F on G, as CD to AD ; and therefore
the fluxion of the repulfion of A on the column
■C D, in the diredion C D, is equal to the fluxion of
the repulliun of F on C G ; and when AD equals
A C, the repulfion of both A and F on their re-
fpedive columns vanilhes ; and therefore the rc-
pulfion of A on the whole column CD equals that
of F on CG ; and when C D and C G are both in-
:finitqly extended, they may be looked upon as die
fame column.

P R O P. XVIT.

J^et two fimilar bodies, cf difi'erent fizes, and con-
iifting of difi'erent for'6 of matter, be both over-

(hirged.

/

9 ■ '■•

2’/„/.x'.7}:„uJW J.XI. m .\XI

V'

■■

E D /

vn

U

<1 A

)

T-

A"-

S-

/«

C

R.

B.

[ 62 3 ]■

cliarged, or both undercharged, but in difderenf
degrees ; and let the redundance or dehcience
of fluid in each be very fmall in refpe(fl: of the
whole quantity of fluid in them : it is impoflible
for the fluid to be difpofed accurately in a flmilar
manner in both of them ^ j as it has been
fhewn that there will be a [pace, clofe to the
furface, which will either be as full of fluid as it
can hold, or will be intirely deprived, of fluid j
but it will be difpofed as nearly in a iimilar
manner in: both, as is poffible. To explain
this, let BDE and bde (fig. i 2 ) be the two.
flmilar bodies j anddet the fpace comprehended.'
between the furfaces B D E and F G H. (or the
fpace B F as I (hall call it for fhortnefs) be that,
part of BDE, which is either as full of fluid as.
it can hold, or intirely deprived of it: draw the.
furface fuch that the fpace fhall be

to the Ipace B F, as the quantity of redundant:
or defleient fluid m.b de,. to that in B D E, and
tliat the thicknefs of the fpace b f flaall every,
where bear the fame proportion to the corre-
fponding thicknefs of B F : then will the fpace
bf be either as full of fluid as it can hold, or.

* By the fluid being dirpofeJ’ in a fimilar manner in loth,
bodies, I mean that the quantity of redundant or deficient fluid
in any flmall part of one body,, is to that in the correfpom ing .
fmall p.irt of the other, as the whole quantity of redundant or
dtficient fluid in one body, to that in the other. J3y the quan-
tity of deficient fluid in a body, I mean, the quantity of faidi
wanting to faturate it. Notwithftanding the impropriety of this
exprtflion, 1 muft beg leave to make ule ot it, as it will Irc-
quently fave a great deal of circumlocution.

{ 624 ]

intlrely deprived of it j and the fluid within the
fpace f gh will be dlfpofed very nearly fimilarly
to that ill the fpace F G H.

For it is plain, that if the fluid could be difpofed
accurately in a fimilar manner in both bodies, the
fluid would be in equilibrio in one body, if it was in
the other : therefore draw the furface /SS g, fuch that
the thicknefs of the fpace /8 f fliall be every where
to the correfponding thicknefs of B F, as the dia*-
meter of hd e to the diameter of BDE j and let the
1-edundant fluid or matter in be fpread uniformly
over the fpace jG f\ then if the fluid in the fpace fgh
■is difpofed exadlly fimilarly to that in FGH, it will
be in equilibrio j as the fluid will then be difpofed
exafUy fimilarly in the fpaces and BDE : but
as by the fuppolition, the thicknefs ofxthe fpace ^ f
is very fmall in refpedfc of the diameter of bde^ the
fluid or matter in the fpace b f will exert very nearly
the fame force on the reft of the fluid, whether it is
fpread over the fpace jSyi or whether it is colledled
in bj^

PROP, XVIII.

Let two bodies, B and b^ be connetft:ed to each
other by a canal of any kind, and be either over
or undercharged : it is plain that the quantity
of redundant or deficient fluid in B, would
bear exadlly the fame proportion to that in b^
whatever fort of matter B confifted of, if it was
pofiible for the redundant or deficient fluid in
i any

[ 625 ]

any body, to be difpofed accurately in the fame
manner, whatever fort of matter it confifted of.
For fuppofe B to con fift of any fort of matter ; ,
and let the fluid in the canal and two bodies
be in equilibrio : let now B be made to confifl:
of fome other fort of matter, which requires a
diflerent quantity of fluid to faturate it j but let
the quantity and difpofition of the redundant or
deficient fluid in it remain the fame as before’
it is plain that the fluid will flill be in equilibrio-
as the attraction or repulfion of any body de-
pends only on the quantity and difpofition of
the redundant and deficient fluid in it. There-
fore, by the preceeding propofition, the quantity
of redundant or deficient fluid in B, will
actually bear very nearly the fame proportion to
that in h, whatever fort of matter B confifts of;
provided the quantity of redundant or deficient
fluid in it is very fmall in refpeCt of the whole.

PROP. XIX.

Fet two bodies B and b (fig. 1 1 •) be connected to-
gether by a very flender canal h.V>da, either
flraight or crooked let the canal be everywhere
of the fame breadth and thicknefs.; fo that all
feCtions of this canal made by planes perpendi-
cular to the direction of the canal in that part,
fhall be equal and fimilar : let the canal be com-
pofed of uniform matter ; and let the eleCtric
fluid therein be fuppofed incompreflible, and of
fuch denfity as exaCtly to faturate the matter
VoL. LXl. 4 L therein;

[ 626 ]

therein ; and let it, neverthelcfs, be able to ihovc
readily along the canal ; and let each particle
of fluid in the canal be attradted and repelled
by the matter and fluid in the canal and
in the bodies B and juft in the fame manner
that it would be if it was not incompref-
fible * j and let the bodies B and b be
either over or undercharged. I fay that the
force with which the whole quantity of fluid
in the canal is impelled from A towards D, m
the diredtion of the axis of the canal, by the
united attradlions and repulfions of the two
bodies, muft be nothing ; as otherwife the fluid
in the canal could not be at reft : obferving that
^ by the force with which the whole quantity of
fluid is impelled in the diredtion of the axis of
the canal, I mean the fum of the forces, with
which the fluid in each part of the canal is
impelled in the direaion of the axis of the canal
in that place, from A towards D; and obferv-
ing alfo, that an impulfe in the contrary di-
' region from D towards A muft be looked upon

as negative.

For as the canal is exadly faturated with fluid, the
fluid therein is attraded or repelled only by the re-
dundant matter or fluid in the two bodies. Sup^fe
now that the fluid in any fedtion of the canal, as E e,

* This fuppofuicin of the: fluid in the canal being incom-
nreflible, is not mentioneJ as a thing, which can ever take place
in nature, brt is merely imaginary j the reafon lor making oi
which will be given hereafter.

IS

f 627 ]

IS impelled with any given force Jn the dire6Hon of
the canal at that place, the fedion D d would, in
confequence thereof, be impelled with exadly the
fame force in the diredion of the canal at D, if the
fluid between E ^ and D ^ was not at all attraded or
repelled by the two bodies ; and, confequently, the
fedion D is impelled in the diredion of the canal,
with the fum of the forces, with which the fluid in
each part of the canal is impelled, by the attradion
or repuUion of the two bodies in the diredion of the
axis in that part j and confequently, unlefs this fum
was nothing, the fluid in D ^ could not be at reft.

Corollary.

Therefore, the force with which the fluid in the
canal is impelled one way in the diredion of the axis,
by the body B, muft be equal to that with which it
impelled by b in the contrary diredion.

P R O P. XX.

Let two fimllar bodies B and ^ ( fig. r 3 .) be conneded
by the very flender cylindric or prifmatic ca-
nal A filled with incomprefiible fluid, in the
fame manner as defcribed in the preceding pro-
pofition ; let the bodies be overcharged j but
let the quantity of redundant fluid in each bear
fo fmall a proportion to the whole, that the
fluid may be confidered as difpofed in a fimilar
manner in both j let the bodies alfo be fimilarly
fituated in refped of the canal A^j and let
them be placed at an infinite diftance from each

4 L a other,

[ 628 ]

Other, or at fo great an one, that the repurfion
of either body on the fluid in the canal fhall
not be fenfibly lefs than if they were at an in-
finite diftance : then, if the eledric attradion
and repulfion is inveriely as the n power of the
diftance, n being greater than one, and lefs
than three, the quantity of redundant fluid in
the two bodies will be to each other, as the
n — I power of their corrcfponding diameters
A F and af.

' For if the quantity of redundant fluid- in the two
bodies is in this proportion, the repulfion of one
body on the fluid in the canal, will be equal to that
of the other body on it in the contrary diredionj
and, confequently, the fluid will have no tendency
to flow from one body to the other, as may thus be
proved. Take the points D and E very near to each
other j and take daxo DA, and r ^ to E A, as af to
AF ; the repulfion of tfre body B on a particle at D,
will be to the repulfion of b on a particle at dy as

-i_ to — ; for, as the fluid is difpofed fimilarly in
AF af

both bodies, the quantity of fluid in any fmall part
of B, is to the quantity in the correfponding part of
by as A F”"' to a ; and, confequently, the re-
pulfion of that fmall part of B, on D, is to the
repulfion of the correfponding part of by on dy as

or to — . But the quantity of fluid in
’ AF’ ^

the fmall part DE of the canal, is to that in dcy as

DE to dCy or as AF to therefore the repulfion

of

[ 629 •]

of B on the fluid in D E, is equal to that of b on the
fluid in de : therefore, taking ag to A zs af to
AF, the repulfion of b on the fluid in ag^ is equal
to that of B on the fluid in A^j but the repulflon
of ^ on ag may be confidered as the fame as its
repulflon on A ; for, by the fuppofition, the repiil-
flon of B on A^ may be confldered as the fame as if
it was continued infinitely j and therefore, the re-
pulfion of b on ag may be confidered as the fame as
if it was continued infinitely.

N. B. If n was not greater than one, it would
be impoflible for the length of A <3: to be fo
great, that the repulfion of B on it might be
confidered as the fame as if it was contioued
infinitely j which was my reafon for requiring
n to be greater than one.

Corollary.

By jufi the fame method of reafoning it appears,
that if the bodies are undercharged, the quantity of
deficient fluid in b will be to that in B, as af'~' to
AF”"k

PROP. XXI. ■

Let a thin flat plate be connected to any other
body, as in the preceding propofition, by a
canal of incompreffible fluid, perpendicular
to the plane of the plate ^ and let that body
be overcharged, the quantity of redundant, fluid
in the plate will bear very nearly the lame

3 proportion

[ 630 ]

proportion to that in the other body, whatever'
the thlcknefs of the plate may be, provided
its thicknefs is very fmall in proportion to its ‘
breadth, or fmalleft diameter.

For there can be no doubt, but what, under that
reftriftion, the fluid will be difpofed very nearly in
the fame manner in the plate, whatever its thicknefs
may be j and therefore its repulflon on the fluid in
the canal will be very nearly the fame, whatever its
thicknefs may be.

PROP. XXII.

LetAB and DF (fig. 14.) reprefent two equal
and parallel circular plates, whofe centers are ^
C and E ; let the plates be placed fo, that a '
right line joining their centers (hall be perpen*
dicular to the plates ; let the thicknefs of the
plates be very fmall, in refpecfl of tlieir diflance
CE; let the plate AB communicate with the
body H, and the plate D F with the body L,
by the canals C G and E M of inComprelTible
fluid, fuch as are deferibed in Prop. XIX ; let
thefe canals meet their refpedive plates in their
centers C and E, and be perpendicular to the
plane of the plates ; and let their length be fo
great, that the repulfion of the plates on the
fluid in them may be confidered as the fame,
as if they were continued infinitely j let the
body H be overcharged, and let L be faturated.
It IS plain, from Prop. XII. that D F will be
undercharged, and A B will be more over-
charged

[ ]

\

charged than it would otherwife be. Suppofe,
now, that the redundant fluid in AB is dil'-
pofed in the fame manner as thte deficient fluid
is in D F ; let P be to one as the force with
whjch the plate AB would repel the fluid in
CE, if the canal ME was continued to C, is
to the force with which it would repel the fluid
in CMj and let the force with which AB re-
pels the fluid in C G, be to the force with
which it would repel it, if the redundant fluid
in it was fpread uniformly, as tt to i ^ and let
the force with which the body H repels the
fluid in C G, be the fame with which a quan-
tity of redundant fluid, which we will call B,
fpread uniformly over A B, would repel it in
the contrary diredtion. Then will the redun-

r

dant fluid in A B be equal to , and

therefore, if P is very fmall, will be very nearly

equal to and the deficient fluid in DF

will be to the redundant fluid in AB, as i - P
to one, and therefore, if P is very fmall, will be ■
very nearly equal to the redundant fluid in
A B,

For it is plain, that the force with which AB
repels the fluid in EM, muft be equal to that with
which DF attracts itj for otherwife, fome fluid '
would run out of DF into L, or out of L into D‘ F : ^
for the fame reafon, the excefs of the repulfion of
AB on the fluid in CG, above the attradtion of ED ’
thereon^ muft be equal to the force with which a

quantity

[ 632 ]

quantity of redundant fluid equal to B, fpread uni- i

formly over A B, would* repel it, or it mufl; be

■ B

equal to that with which a quantity equal to — ,

fpread in the manner in which the redundant fluid
is aiflually fpread in A B, would repel it. By the
fuppofition, the force with which AB repels the
fluid in E M, is to the force with which it would
repel the fluid in C M, fuppofing E M to be con-
tinued to C, as 1 — P to one j but the force with
which any quantity of fluid in AB would repel the
fluid in CM, is the fame with which an equal quan-
tity flmilarly difpofed in DF, would repel the fluid
in EMj therefore, the force with which the re-
dundant fluid in AB repels the fluid in EM, is to
that with which an equal quantity flmilarly difpofed
in D F, would repel it, as i — P to one : therefore,
if the redundant fluid in AB be called A, the defi-
cient fluid in DF mufl; be A X i — P: for the farnc
reafon, the force with which DF attrafts the fluid
in CG, is to that with which AB repels it, as

A X I — P X I — P, or A X I — P", to A ; there-
fore, the excefs of the force with which A B repels
CG above that with which DF attradls it, is equal
to that with which a quantity of redundant fluid

equal to A — A X i — P', or A x 2 P — P% fpread
over AB, in the manner in which the redundant
fluid therein is adually fpread, would repel it : there-

fore, A X 2 P — P* muft be equal to 2, or A mull
be equal to

C 0 R o L.

[ 633 ]

COROL. I.

If the deriiity of the redundant fluid near the
middle of the plate A B, is lefs than the mean den-
fity, or the denfity which it would everywhere be
of, if it was fpread uniformly, in the ratio of ^ to one j
and if the diftance of the two plates is fo fmall, that
EC’-\ is very fmall in refpea; of AC’-h and that
is very fmall in refped of AC^~”; the quan-
tity of redundant fluid in AB will be greater than

3 ^ ^ T> A o\3 — f2

but will ap-

B ACl

7Xkc'

, and lefs than — x —

proach much nearer to the latter value than the for-
mer. for, in this cafe, P -jr is, by Lemma X,

3— n

Corol. IV. lefs than

E^3“"

AC^

£C

AC

and -greater than

X Sj but approaches much nearer to the latter

value than the former ; and if E is very fmall
in refped: of A C^"", P is very fmall.

Remark^.

If DF was not undercharged, it is certain that
AB would be conflderably more overcharged near
the circumfer-ence of the circle than near the center;
for if the fluid was fpread uniformly, a particle placed
anywhere at a diftance from the center, as at N,
Would be repelled with confiderably more force to-
wards the Circumference than it would towards the
VoL. LXI, 4. M center.

[ 634 r

center. It the plates are very near together, and>
confequently, D F nearly as much undercharged as
AB is overcharged, AB will dill be more over-
charged near the circumference than near the center,
but the difterence will not be near lo great as in
the former cafe : for, let N R be many times greater
than CE, and NS lefs than CE; and take Er and
E J equal to C R and C S, tliere can be no doubt, I
think, but that the deficient fluid in DF will be lodged
nearly in the fame manner as the redundant fluid in
ABj and therefore, the repulfion of the redundant fluid
at R, on a particle at N, will be very nearly balanced
by the attraction of the redundant matter at r, for
R is not much nearer to N than r is ; but the re-
pulfion of S will not be near balanced by that of s ;
for the diflance of S from N is much lefs than that
, of s. Let now a fmall circle, whofe diameter is
' S T, be drawn round the center N, on the plane of
the plate j as the denfity of the fluid is greater at T
than at S, the repulfion of the redundant fluid within
the fmall circle tends to impel the point N towards
C 3 but as there is a much greater quantity of fluid
between N and B, than between N and A, the re-
pulfion of the fluid without the fmall ciicle tends to
balance that ; but the effeCt of the fluid within the
Imall circle is not much lefs than it would be, if D b
was not undercharged ; whereas much the greater
part of the effeCt of that part of the plate on the out-
lide of the circle, is taken off by the efleCl of the
correfponding part of D F : confequently, the dif-
ference of denfity between T and S will not be
near fo great, as if E) h was not undercharged.

Hence I fliould imagine, that if the two plates are

very

■[ ^35 ]

very near together, the denfity of the redundant fluid
near the center will not be much lefs than the mean
denfity, or ^ will not be much lefs than one -/more-
over, the lefs the diflance of the plates, the nearer
will ^ approach to one.

C o R o L. II.

Let now the body H confifi: of a circular plate, of
the fame fize as A B, placed fo, that the canal C G
fliall pafs through its center, and be perpendicular to
its plane j by the fuppofition, the force with which
H repels the fluid in the canal CG, is the fame
with which a quantity of fluid, equal to B, fpread
uniformly over A B, would repel it in the contrary
diredion : therefore, if the fluid in the plate H was
-fpread uniformly, the quantity of redundant fluid
therein would be B, and if it was all colleded in the

circumference, would be ; and therefore the

3 — «

real quantity will be greater than B, and lefs than
2B

C o R o L. III.

Therefore, if we fuppofe ^ to be equal to one*
the quantity of redundant fluid in AB will exceed
that in the plate H, in a greater ratio than that of ,

AC

3— «

CK

to one, and lefs than that of

to one j and from the preceding remarks it appears,
that the real quantity of redundant fluid in AB can

4 M 2 hardly

[ 636 ]

hardly be much greater than it would if I was equal
to one.

COROL.

Hence, if the eledric attradion and repulfion is
inverfely as the fquare of the diflance, the redundant
fluid in A B, fuppohng ^ to be equal to one, will
exceed that in the plate H, in a greater ratio than
that of AC to 4CE, and lefs than that of AC to
2CE.

C O R 0 L. V.

Het now the body H confift of a globe, whofe
diameter equals A B ; the globe being fituated in
fuch a manner, that the canal C G, if continued,
would pafs through its center ; and let the eledric
attradion and rcpullion be inverfely as the fquare of
the diftance, the quantity of redundant fluid in the
globe will be 2 B : for the fluid will be fpread uni-
formly over the furface of the globe, and its repul-
fion on the canal will be the fame as if it was all
colleded in the center of the fphere, and will there-
fore be the fame with which an equal quantity, dif-
pofed in the circumference of A B, would repel it in
the contrary diredion, or with which half that quan-
tity, or B, would repel it, if fpread uniformly over
the plate.

C 0 R o L.

[ ^37 3

COROL. vr.

Therefore, if ^ was ecjual to one, the rediindanf
fluid in A B would exceed that in the globe, in the
ratio of AC to 4CE; and therefore, it will in re-
ality exceed that in the globe, in a rather greater ratio
than that of AC to 4 C E ; but if the plates are very
near together, it will approach very near thereto, and
the nearer the plates are, the nearer it will approach
thereto.

C o R 0 L. VII.'

Whether the eledric repuluon is inverfely as the
fquare of the diftance or nor, if the body II is as
much undercharged, as it was before overcharged,
A B will be as much undercharged as it was before
overcharged, and DF as much overcharged as it was
before undercharged.

CoROL. vm.

If the fize and diftance of the plates be altered,
the quantity of redundant or deficient fluid in the
body H remaining the fame, it appears, by com-
paring this propofition with tlie 20th and 21ft pro-
pofitions, that the quantity ol redundant and deficient

fluid in A B will be as A x or as

K C
A

— p;, fuppofing the value of S to remain the fame.

PROP,

[ 638 ]

I

PROP. XXIII.

Let AE (lig. 15.) be a cyllndric canal, Infinitely
continued beyond E; and let AF be a bent
canal, meeting the other at A, and infinitely
continued beyond F : let the fedlion of this ca-
nal, in all parts of it, be equal to that of^ the
■cylindric canal, and let both canals be filled
with uniform fluid of the fame denfity ; the
force with which a particle of fluid P, placed
anyw'here at pleafure, repels the whole quan-
tity of fluid in AF', in the diredfion of the ca-
nal, is the fame with which it repels the fluid
in the canal A E, in the diredfion A E.

On the center P, draw two circular arches B D
and b infinitely near to each other, cutting AE in
B and and AF in D and I, and draw the radii
P3 and P^. As PB = P D, the force with which
P repels a particle at B, in the diredlion B /3, is to
that with which it repels an equal particle at D, in

the direaioii D I', as to or as i to ; and

therefore, the force with which it repels the whole
fluid in B /3, in the diredtion B /3, is the fame with
which it repels the whole fluid in D in the direc-
tion that is in the diredtion of the canal ; and

therefore, the force with which it repels the whole
fluid in AE, in the diredion AE, is the fame with
which it repels the whole fluid in AF, in the direc-
tion of the canal.

C o R 0 L-

[ 639 3

Corollary.

If the bent canal ADF, inllead of being infinitely
continued, meets the cyliiidric canal in E, as in
fig. i6. the repulfion ot P on the fluid in the bent
canal A D E, in the diredlion of the canal, will Ifill
be equal to its repulfion on that in the cylindric ca-
nal AE, in the diredion AE.

PROP. XXIV.

If two bodies, for inflance the plate A B, and the-
body H, of Prop. XXII. communicate with-
each other, by a canal filled with.incompreflible
fluid, and are either over or undercharged, the
<^uantity of redundant fluid in them will bear
the fame proportion to each other, whether the
canal by which they communicate is ftraight or
crooked, or into whatever part of the bodies the
canal is inferted, or in whatever manner the
two bodies are fituated in relpedt of each other;
provided that their diftance is infinite, or. fo
great that the repulfion of each body on. the
fluid in the canal fliall not be fenfibly lefs than,
if it was infinite.

Let the parellelograms AB and DF (fig. ly.^^re-
prefent the two plates, and H and L the bodies com-
municating with them : let now H be removed to
h-y and let it communicate with AB, by the bent
canal gc the quantity of fluid in the plates and

bodies

[ 640 ]

bodies remaining the fame as before ; and let us, for
the fake of eafe in the demonflration, fuppofe the
canal ^ c to be every where of the fame thicknefs as
the canal G C ; though the propofftion will evidently
hold good equally, whether it is or not : the fluid
will flill be in equilibrio. For let us firfl; fuppofe the
canal to be continued through the fubflance of the
plate AB, to C, along the line crC ; the part crC
being ot the fame thicknefs as the refl of the canal,
and the fluid in it of 'the fame denfity : by the pre-
ceding propofition, the repuUion or attradion of each
particle of fluid or matter in the plates A B and D F,
on the fluid in the whole canal C rcg, in the diredion
of that canal, is equal to its repulfion or attradion on
the fluid in the canal C G, in the diredion C G ; and
therefore the whole repulflon or attradion of the two
plates on the canal C r cgy is equal to their repulflon
or attradion on C G : but as the fluid in the plate
AB is in equilibrio, each particle of fluid in the part
Cr^- of the canal, is impelled by the plates, with
as much force in one diredion as the other; and
conlequently the plates impel the fluid in the canal
eg, with as much force as they do that in the whole
canal Creg, that is, with the fame force that they
inapel the fluid in C G. In like manner the body b
impels the fluid in c gy with the fame force that H
docs the fluid in CG ; and conlequently b impels the
fluid in c gy one way in the diredion of the canal,
with the lame force that the two plates impel it the
contrary way ; and theiteforc the fluid in eg has no
tendency to flow from one body to the other.

2

Co R 0 L-

[ 641 ]

Corollary.

By the fame method of reafonfng, with the Jielp
that if it appears,

hat if AB and II each communicate with a third
body, by canals of incomprethble fluid, and a com-
munication is made between AB and H by another
canal of incompreffible fluid, the fluid will have no
tendency to flow from one to the other through this
canal j fuppofing that the fluid was in equilibrio
before this communication was made. In like
manner if AB and H communicate with each other
or each communicate with a third body, by canals of
leal fluid, inftead of the imaginary canals of incom-
prefhble fluid ufed in thefe propofitions, and a com-
munication is alfo made between them by a canal of
incompreflible fluid, the fluid can have no tendency
to flow from one to the other. The truth of the
latter part of this corollary will appear by fuppofing
an imaginary canal of incompreffible fluid to be con-
tinued through the whole length of the real one.

P R' O P. XXV.

Let now a communication be made between the
two plates AB and DF, by the canal NRS of
incompreffible fluid, of any length j and let the
body H and the plate A B be overcharged. It
is plain that the fluid will flow through that
canal from A B to D F. Now the whole force
with which the fluid in the canal is impelled
VoL. LXI. 4 N along

[ 642 ]

along it, by the joint aaion of the two plates,
is the fame with which the whole quantity of
fluid in the canal CG orc^ is impelled by them;
fuppofing the canal N R S to be every where of
the fame breadth andthicknefs as CG or eg.

For fuppofe that the canal N R S, inftead of com-
municating with the plate DF, is bent back juft before
it touches it, and continued infinitely along the line
S j; the force with which the two plates impel the
fluid in Sr, is the fame with which they impel that
in EL, fuppofing S r to be of the fame breadth and
thicknefs as EL ; and is therefore nothing ; therefore
the force with which they impel the fluid in NRS,
is the fame with which they impel that in N R S r ;
which is the fame with which they impel that m

CG.

PRO P. XXVL

Let now x y z be a body of an infinite fize, con-
taining juft fluid enough to faturate it ; and let a
communication be made between h and xyz,
by the canal hy of incompreffible fluid, of the
fame breadth and thicknefs asgc or GC ; the
fluid will flow through it from h to xy% ', and
the force with which the fluid in that canal is
impelled along it,, is equal to that with which
the fluid in NRS is impelled by the two

plates.

If

[ 643 ]

If the canal hy is of fo great a length, that the
repulfion of h thereon is the fame as if it was con-
tinued infinitely, then the thing is evident : but if it
IS not, et the canal hy^ inftead of communicating
with xy IS, fo that the fluid can flow out of the canal
into xy z, be continued infinitely through its fub-
Irance, along the linejji'u : now it mufl; be obferved
that a fmall part of the body namely, that

which IS turned towards h, will by the adion of upon
It, be rendered undercharged ; but all the refl: of
the body will be faturated ; for the fluid driven out
of the undercharged part will not make the re-
mainder, which is fuppofed to be of an infinite fize,
fenfibly overcharged : now the force with which the
fluid in the infinite canal hyv, is impelled by the
body ^ and the undercharged part oi xy%, is the
fame with which the fluid in is impelled by them;
but as the fluid in all parts of xyx is in equilibrio,
a particle in any part ofyv cannot be impelled in
any diredion ; and therefore the fluid in by is im-
pelled with as much force as that inhyv, and there-
fore the fluid in by is impelled with as much force
as that in ^ c ; and is therefore impelled with as much
force as the fluid in N R S is impelled by the two
plates.

It perhaps may be afked, whether this method of
demonftration would not equally tend to prove that
the fluid in by was impelled with the fame force as
that in N R S, though xyz did not contain juft fluid
enough to faturate it. I anfwer not; for this de-
monftiation depends on the canal yv being continu-
ed, within the body xyz^ to an infinite diftance
beyond any over or undercharged part ; which could

4 N 2 not

[ 644 ]

not be if contained either more or lefs fluid
than that.

PROP. XXVII.

Let two bodies B and b (flg. 13.) be joined by a
cylindric or prifmatic canal A filled with real
fluid j and not by an imaginary canal of in-
comprelfible fluid as in the 20th propofition ^
and let the fluid therein be in equilibrio; the
force with which the whole or any given part of
the fluid in the canal, is impelled in the dired;ion
of its axis, by the united repullions and attradfi-
ons of the redundant fluid or matter in the two
bodies and the canal, muft be nothing; or the
force with which it is impelled one way in the
direction of the axis of the canal, muft be
equal to that with which it is impelled the
other way.

For as the canal is fiippefed cylindric or prifmatic,
no particle of fluid therein can prevented from
moving in the dirc(flion of the axis of it, by the fides
of the canal ^ and therefore the force with which
each particle is impelled either way in the diredion
of the axis, ‘by the united attradions and repulfions
of the two bodies and the canal, muft be nothing,
otherwife it could not be at reft ; and therefore the
force with which the whole, or any given part of the
fluid in the canal, is impelled in the diredion of
the axfs, muft be nothing.

3

Cor o L.

C 645 ]

CoROL. I.

If the fluid in the canal is difpofed in fuch man-
ner that the repulfion or attradion of the redundant
□id or matter in it, on the whole or any given part
of the fluid in the canal, has no tendency to impel it
either way in the diredion of the axis ; then the force
with which that whole or given part is impelled by
the two bodies muft be nothing; or the force with
which it IS impelled one way in the-diredion of the
axis, by the body B, muft be equal to that with
Which It IS impelled in the contrary diredion by the
other body ; but not if the fluid in the canal is dif-
poied in a different manner.

C o R o L. If.

If the bodies, and confequently the canal, is over-
charged ; then, in whatever manner the fluid in the
canal is difpofed, the force with which the whole
quantity of redundant fluid in the canal is repelled
by the body B in the diredion A muft be equal to
that with which it is repelled by h in the contrary
diredion. For the force with which the redundant
fluid IS impelled in the diredion A^ by its own re—
pulfion, is nothing ; for the repullion of the particles
of any body on each other have no tendency to make
the whole body move in any diredion.

Re-

[ 646 ]

Remarks.

When I firft thought of the 20th and 2 2d pro-
poiitions, I imagined that when two bodies were
connedted by a cylindric canal of real fluid, the rc-
pulfion of one bpdy on the whole quantity of fluid in
the canal, in one diredlion, would be equal to that of
the other body on it in the contrary diredlion, in
whatever manner the fluid was difpofed in the canal ;
and that therefore thofe propofltions would have held
good very nearly, though the bodies were joined by
cylindric canals of real fluid j provided the bodies
were fo little over or undercharged, that the quantity
of redundant or deficient fluid in the canal fliould be
very fmall in refped: of the quantity required to fa-
turate it ; and confequently that the fluid therein
fhould be very nearly of the fame denfity in all parts.
But from the foregoing propofition it appears that I
was miftaken, and that the repulfion of one body on
the fluid in the canal is not equal to that of the
other body on it, unlefs the fluid in the canal is dif-
pofed in a particular manner : befides that, when two
bodies are both joined by a real canal, the attraftion
or repulfion of the redundant matter or fluid in the
canal, has fome tendency to alter the difpofition of
the fluid in the two bodies j and in the 2 2d propo-
fition, the canal C G exerts allb fome attradlion or
repulfion on the canal EM: on all which accounts
the demonftration of thofe propofltions is de-
fe(flive, when the bodies are joined by real canals.
I have good reafon however to think, that thofe propo-
fltions adually hold good very nearly when the bodies

are

^'ShtTir^H ’ 'he canals

fcr. A«rr«T,f

■T 1 1 . ^ in nopes that foine mnr<=* fHi

reall7hoTd“gootor noi'.'"' ''''' “ “’ey'

carrt',^’l!"'‘Pc'“^ ‘hat this is the

ments I ha^<- I h'om feme experi-

ments 1 have made, the quantitv of fluid in HifFpr^ ^

bod.es_agrees very well with thofe propofitions oTa

ruppoficon that the eledric repuin<fn fs Selv as

le Pquare of the d.ftance. It lliould alfo feem from

thofe experiments, that the quantity of redundant Ir

eficient fluid in two bodies, bore very nearly the fame

proportion to each other, whatever is^he fhare of tbe

cana Iby which they are joined, or in whatever direc

tion they are lituated in refpea of each other.

b m propofitions Ihould be found not

lafr JlMi’i "'’’•T by reaf

canals, ftiJl it is evident, that in the 22d pronofition

.f the plates AB and DF are very near togethef th;

quantity of redundant fluid, in the plate A B w 11 be

many times greater than that in the body H fun!

as A B, and D F will be near as much, undercharged
as A B IS overcharged.

rfrf '/ fuppofes that air confifts of par-

a he diftanr‘'''’'b -"^^rfrly

as the diflance : but it appears plainly from the fore-
gotng pages, that if the repulfion of the particles was

in

[ 648 ] _

in this ratio ; and extended indefinitely to all
didaticcSj they would compofe a fluid extremely
different from common air. If the repulfion of the
particles was inverfely as the diflance, but extended
only to a given very fmall diflance from their centers,
they would compofe a fluid of the fame kind as air,
in rcfpedl: of elaflicity, except that its denfity would
not be in proportion to its compreflion : if the diflance
to ‘which the repulfion extends, though very fmall, is
yet many times greater than the diflance of the
particles from each other, it might be fliewn, that the
denfity of the fluid would be nearly as the fquare
root of the compreflion. If the repulfion of the
particles extended indefinitely, and was inverfely as
fbme higher power of the diflance tlian the cube, the
denfity of the fluid would be as fome power of the
compreflion lefs than . The only law of repulfion,
I can think of, which will agree with experiment, is
one which ftems not very likely ; namely, that the
particles repel each other with a force inverfely as the
diflance ; but that, whether the denfity of the fluid is
great or fmall, the repulfion extends only to the
nearefl particles: or, what comes to the fame thing,
that the diflance to which the repulfion extends, is
very fmall, and alfo is not fixed, but varies in pro-
portion to the diflance of the particles.

p A R r

[ 649 ]

part II.

CoHtalnitig a cotnparifon of the foregoing theory ‘with

experiment.

§ I . It appears from experiment, that fome bodies
fufFer the eleiSlrlc fluid to pafs with great read!-
nefs between their pores ; while others will not
fufFer it to do fo without great difficulty ; and fome
hardly fufFer it to do fo at all. The firfl; fort of
bodies are called condudlors, the others non-con-
fludors. What this difference in bodies is owing
to I do not pretend to explain.

It is evident that the eledtric fluid in non-con-
dudlors may be confidered as moveable, or anfwers
to the definition given of that term in p. 588. As
to the fluid contained in non-condudling fubflances,
though it does not abfolutely anfwer to the defi-
nition of immoveable, as it is not abfolutely con^*
fined from moving, but only does fo with great
difficulty ; yet it may in mofl: cafes be looked upon
as fuch without fenfible error.

Air does in fome meafure permit the eledlric
fluid to pafs through it ; though, if it is dry, it
lets it pafs but very flovvly, and not without diffi-
culty ; it is therefore to be called a non-condudlor.

It appears that condudlors would readily fufFer
the fluid to run in and out of them, were it not
for the air which furrounds them: for if the end
of a condudlor is inferted into a vacuum, the fluid
runs in and out of it with perfect readinefs ; but
VoL. LX I. 4 O when

[ 650 }

when it is furrounded on all lides by the air, as.
no fluid can run out of it without running into
the air, the fluid will not do fo without difficulty.

If any body is furrounded on all fides by the air,
or other noi>condu6ting fubftances, it is faid to be
infulated : if on the other hand it any where com-
municates with any condufling body, it is faid to
be not infulated. When I fay that a body com-
municates with the ground, or any other body, I
be miderftood to mean, that it does fo by
fbme condu6ling fubftance.

Though the terms pofltively and negatively elec-
trified are much ufed, yet the precife fenfe in
which they are to be under flood, feems not well
afcertained namely^ whether they are to be un^
derflood in the fame fenfe iiv which- I have ufed
the words over or undercharged, or whether, when-
any number of bodies, iirfulated and communi-
cating with each other by conducing fubflances,
arc elearified by means of excited glafs, they are
all to be called pofitively elearified (fuppofing, ac-
cording to the ufual opinion, that excited glafs
contains more than its natural quantity of eleari-
city); even though fome of them, by the approach-
of a ftronger elearified body, are made under-
charged. I fhall ufe the words in the latter fenfe;
but as it will be proper to afcertain the fenfe in
which I fhall ufe them- more accurately, I. fhalb
give the following definition.

In order to judge whether any body, as A, is
pofitively or negatively elearified : fuppofe ano-
ther body B, of a given fhape and fize, to be placed

4t an. infinite diflance from it, and from any other

over.

[ 6St ]

over or undercharged body ; and let B contain the
fame quantity of eledlric fluid, as if it communi-
cated with A by a canal of incompreflible fluid :
then, if B is overcharged, I call A pofitively eledtri-
fied; and if it is undercharged, I call A negatively
eledlrifled ; and the greater the degree in which B
is over or undercharged, the greater is the degree
in which A is pofitively or negatively ele6trified»

It appears from the corollary to the 24th pro-
pofition, that if feverai bodies are infulated, and
connedled together by conducing fubftances, and
one of thefe bodies is pofitively or negatively elec-
trified, all the other bodies mufi; be eleftrified in
the fame degree : for fuppofing a given body B
to be placed at an infinite diftance from any over
or undercharged body, and to contain the fame
quantity of fluid as if it communicated with one
of thofe bodies by a canal of incompreflible fluid,
all the reft of thofe bodies mufl; by that corollary
contain the fame quantity of fluid as if they com-
municated with B by canals of incompreflible
fluid : but yet it is pofiible that fome of thofe bo-
dies may be overcharged, and others under-
charged: for fuppofe the bodies to be pofitively
eleftrified, and let an overcharged body D be
brought near one of them, that body will become
undercharged, provided D is fufficiently over-
charged ; and yet by the definition it will flill be
pofitively eledlrified in the fame degree as before.

hloreover, if feverai bodies are infulated and
connedled together by conducing fubftances, and
one of thefe bodies is eledrified by excited glafs,
there can be no doubt, I think, but what they

4 O 2 ^vill

C ^52 ]

will all be pofitively eledrified ; for if there is no=
other over or undercharged body placed near any
of thele bodies, the thing is evident j and though
Ibnie of thefe bodies may, by the approach of a
fufficiently overcharged bodv, be ‘rendered under-
charged; yet I do not fee how it is poliible to pre-
vent a body placed at an infinite diftance, and com-
municating With them by a canal of ineomprefliblc
fluid, from being overcharged..

In like manner if one of thefe bodies is ele£lri-
fied by excited fealing wax-, they will all be nega-
tively eledrified. ^

It is impoffible for any body communicating
with the ground to be either pofitively or nega-
tively eledtrified : for the earth,, taking the whole
together, contains juft fluid enough to faturate it,
and confifts in general of condu6ling fubftances ;
and confequently though it is poffible for fmall
parts of the furface of the earth to be rendered
over or undercharged, by the approach of electri-
fied clouds or other caufes; yet the bulk of the
earth, and efpecially the interior parts, muft be
laturated with electricity. Therefore aflTume any
part of the earth which is itfelf faturated, and is.
at a great diftance from any over or undercharged
part; any body communicating with the ground,,
contains as much electricity as if it communicated
with this part by a canal of incompreftible fluid,
and therefore is not at all eleftrified.

^ body A, infulatcd and faturated’ with
eletiricity, is placed at a great diftance from any
'Over or undercharged body,^. it is plain that it can-
not be electrified ;, but if an overcharged body is-

brought

2

C ^53 1

brought near it, it will be pofitively ele£lrified ; for
fuppoling A to communicate with any body B, at
an infinite diflance, by a canal of incompreffible
fluid, it is plain that unlefs B is overcharged, the
fluid in the canal could not be in equilibrio, but
would run from A to B. For the fame reafon a
body inflilated and faturated with fluid, will be
negatively electrified if placed near an undercharg-
ed body.

§ 2. The phaenomena of the attraction and re-
puhion of electrified bodies feem to agree exaCtly
with the theory; as will appear by confidering
the following cafes.

Case I. Let two bodies, A and B, both coiv-
duCtors of electricity, and both placed at a great
diflance from any other electrified bodies, be
brought near each other. Let A be infulated, and
contain jufl fluid enough to faturate it ; and let B
be pofitively eleCtrified. They will attraCt each-
other ; for as B is pofitively eleCtrified, and at a
great diflance from any overcharged body, it will
be overcharged ; therefore, on approaching A and
B to each other, fome fluid will be driven from
that part of A which is nearefl to B to the further
part : but when the fluid in A was fpread uni-
formly, the repulfion. of B on the fluid in A was
equal to its attradion on the matter therein ; there-
fore, when fome fluid is removed from thole parts
where the repulfion of B is flrongefl to thofe
where it is weaker, B will repel the fluid in A
with lefs force than it attraas the matter; and.
confequently the bodies will attraa each other.

Case

[ 654 ]

Case II. If we now fuppofe that the fluid is
at liberty to efcape from out of A, if it has any
difpolition to do fo, the quantity of fluid in it be-
fore the approach of B being ftill fuflicient to fa-
turate it ; that is, if A is not infulated and not
ele£lrified, B being ftill pofttively eleftrifled, they
will attra(ft with more force than before : for in
this cafe, not only fbme fluid will be driven from
that part of A which is neareft to B to the oppo-
fite part, but alfb fome fluid will be driven out
of A.

It mu ft be obferved, that if the repulfion of B
on a particle at E, (fig. 19.) the fartheft part of
A, is very fmall in refpe(ft,of its repulfion on an
equal particle placed at D, the neareft part of A,

■ the two bodies will attradl with very nearly the
fame force, whether A is infulated or not; but if
the repulfion of B, on a particle at E, is very near
as great as on one at D, they will attraft with
very little force if A is infulated. For inftance,
let a fmall overcharged ball be brought near one
end of a long condu(ftor not ele6trified ; they will
attradl with very near the fame force, whether the
condu(ftor be infulated or not ; but if the conduc-
tor be overcharged, and brought near a fmall un-
ele£lrified ball, they will not attraft with near fo
much force, if the bail is infulated, as if it is not.

Case III. If we now fuppofe that A is nega-
tively electrified, and not infulated, it is plain that
they will attract with more force than in the laft

cafe;

.. [655 ]

cafe ; as A will be ftill more undercharged in this
cafe, than in the laft.

N. B. In thefe three cafes, we have not as yet taken
notice of the effedt which the body A will have
in altering the quantity and difpofition of the
fluid in B ; but in reality this will make the
bodies attradt each other with more force than
they would otherwife do ; for in each of thefe
cafes the body A attradls the fluid in B j which,^
will caufe fome fluid to flow from the farther
parts of B to the nearer, and will alfo caufe
^ fome fluid to flow into it, if it is not infulated,
and will confequently caufe B to adl upon A
with more force than it would otherwife do.

Case IV. Let us now fuppofe that B is negatively
eledtrifiedj and let A be infulated, and contain juft
fluid enough to faturateit; they will attradl each
other j for B will be undercharged ; it will therefore
attradt the fluid in A, and will caufe fome fluid to
flow from the fartheft part of A, where it is attradl-’
ed with lefs force, to the nearer part, where it is
attradted with more force ; fo that B will attradl the.
fluid in A with more force than it repels the matter..

Case V, and VI. If A is now fuppofed to be:
not infulated and not eledtrified, B being ftill nega-
tively eledtrified, it is plain that they willattradl: with,
more force than in the laft cafe : and if A is pofltively,
eledtrified, they will attradl with ftill more force.

In thefe three laft cafes alio, the effedt which Ai
has in altering the quantity and difpofition- of the;

fluid.

[ 656 ]

fluid In B, tends to increafe the force with which the
two bodies attrad:.

Case VII. It IS plain that a non-conduding
body faturated with fluid, is not at all attraded or
repelled by an over or undercharged body, until, by
the adion of the eledrified body on it, it has either
acquired fome additional fluid from the air, or had
fome driven out of it, or till fome fluid’ is driven from
one /part of the body to the other.

Case VIII. Let us now fuppofe that the two
bodies A and B are both pofitively eledrified in the
fame degree. It is plain, that were it not for the
adion of one body on the other, they would both be
overcharged, and would repel each other. But it
may perhaps be faid, that one of them as A may, by
the adion of the other on it, be either rendered un-
dercharged on the whole, or at leaft may be rendered
undercharged in that part nearefl: to B ; and that the
attradion of this undercharged part on a particle of
the fluid in B, may be greater than the repulfion of
the more diftant overcharged part; fo that on the
whole the body A may attrad a particle of fluid in
B. If fo, it muft be affirmed that the body B repels
the fluid in A ; for otherwife, that part of A which
is nearefl: to B could not be rendered undercharged.
Therefore, to obviate this objedion, let the bodies be
joined by the ftraight canal DC of incompreffiblc
fluid (fig. 1 9.). The body B will repel the fluid in
all parts of this canal ; for as A is fuppofed to attrad
the fluid in B, B will not only be more overcharged
than it would otherwife be, but it will alfo be more

over-

'[657]

overcharged in that part nearefl to A than in the dp-
pofite part. Moreover, as the near undercharged
prt of A is fuppofed to attra(fl a particle of fluid in

With more force than the more diftant overcharged
part repels it; it muft, a fortiori^ attradl a particle
in the canal with more force than the other repels it ;
therefore the body A muft attraft the fluid in the
^nal ; and confequently fome fluid muff flow from
B to A, which is impoflible ; for as A and B are
both eledtrified in the fame degree, they contain the
fame quantity of fluid as if they both communicated
with a third body at an infinite diflance, by canals of
incompreflible fluid j and therefore, by the corollary
to Prop. 24, if a communication is made between
them by a canal of incompreflible fluid, the fluid
would have no difpofition to flow from one to the
other.

Case IX. But if one of the bodies as A is pofi-
tively eledtrified in a lefs degree than B, then it is
poflible for the bodies to attradt each other; for in
this cafe the force with which B repels the fluid in
A may be fo great, as to make the body A either
intirely undercharged, or at leaft to make the nearefl;
part of it fo much undercharged, that A fliall on the
whole attradl a particle of fluid in B.

It may be worth remarking with regard to this
cafe, that when two bodies, both eledlrified pofitively
but unequally, attradl each other, you may by re-
moving them to a greater diflanee from each other,
caufe them to repel; for as the flronger eledlrified
body repels the fluid in the weaker with lefs force
when removed to a greater diflanee, it will not be

VoL. LXI. 4P able

• [658]

able ta drive lb much fluid out of it, or from the
nprer to the further part', as when placed at a Icfs
diflance.

Case X, and XI. By the fame reafoning it ap-
pears, that if the two bodies are both negativ’ely
elcdrified in the fame degree, they mu ft repel each
other : but if they are both negatively eletftrified in
different degrees, it is poflible for them to attradf
each others

All thefb (;afe^ are exadlly conformable to experi-
ment.

Case XII, Let two cork balls be fufpended by
condudting threads from the fame pofitively eledrified
body, in fuch manner that if they did not repel, they
would hang dole together : they will both be equally
eledrified, and will repel each other : let now an
overcharged body, more ftrongly elcdrified than
them, be brought under them ; they will become
Icfs overcharged, and will feparate lefs than before :
on bringing the body ftill nearer, they will become
not at all overcharged, and will not feparate at all :
and on bringing the body ftill nearer, they will be-
come undercharged, and will feparate again.

, Case XIII. Let all the air of a room be over-
charged, and let two cork balls be fufpended dole to
each other by conduding threads communicating
with the wall. By Prop. 15, it is highly probable
that the balls will be undercharged ; and therefore
they fhould repel each other.

Thefe

«

[ ^59 ]

Thcfe two laft cafes are experiments of Mr. Can-
ton’s, and are defcribed in Philof. Tranf. 1753, p. 350,
where are other experiments of the fame kind, all
-readily explicable by the foregoing theory.

I have now confidered alkthe principal or funda.-
-mental cafes of ele(^ric attradions and repulfions
which I can think ofj all of which appear to agree
perfedly with the theory. 'A • ,

§ 3* cales in which bodies receive elec-

tricity from or part with it tp the air.

Lemma I.

Let the body A (fig. 6.) either fland near fome
over or undercharged body, or at a di dance from any.
It feems highly probable, that if any part of its fur-
face, as M N, is overcharged, the fluid will enr
deavour to run out through that part, provided the
air adjacent thereto is not overcharged.

For let Q be any point in that furface, and P a
point within the body, extremely near to it; it is
plain that a particle of fluid at P, mufl; be repelled
with as much force in one diredion as another
(otherwhfe it could not be at reft) unlefs all the fluid
between P and G is prefled clofe together, in which
cafe it may be repelled with more force towards G
^han it is in the contrary diredion ; now a particle at
G is repelled in the diredion PG, /. e. from P to G,
by all the redundant fluid between P and G; and a
particle at P is repelled by the fame fluid in the con-
trary diredion ; fo that as the particle at P is repdied
with not lels force in the diredion P G than in the
’ ’ ' 4 P 2 contrary,

[ 66o ] '

contrary, I do not fee how a particle at G can help
being repelled with more force in that diredion than
the contrary, unicfs the air on the outfide of the
furface M.N \yas more overcharged than the fpace be-
tween P and G.

In like manner, if any part of the furface is un-
dercharged, the fluid will have a tendency to run in
at that part from the air.

The truth of this is fomewhat confirmed by the
third problem; as in all the cafes of that problem,
the fluid was (hewn to have a tendency to run out of
the fpaces A D and E H, at any furface which was
overcharged, and to run in at any which was under-
charged.

C o R o L. I.

If any body at a diflance from other over or
undercharged bodies, be pofitively eledrified, the
fluid will gradually run out of it from all parts of its
furface into the adjoining air ; as it is plain that all
parts of the furface of that body will be overcharged :
and if the body is negatively eledrified, the fluid will
gradually run into it at all parts of its furface from the
adjoining air.

COROL. II.

Let the body A (fig. 6.) infulated and containing
juft fluid enough to faturate it, be brought near the
overcharged body B ; that part of the lurface of A
which is turned towards B wDl by Prep. 1 1 . be ren-
• dered

[ 66l ]

dered undercharged, and will therefore Imhihe elec-
tricity from the air j and at the oppofite furface R S,
the fluid will run out of the body into the air.

C O R O L. Ill*

If we now fuppofe that A is not infulated, but
communicates with the ground, and confequently that
it contained juft fluid enough to faturate it before the
approach of B, it is plain that the furface M N will
be more undercharged than before ; and therefore the
fluid will run in there with more force than before j
but it can hardly have any difpofition to run out at
the oppofite furface R S j for if the canal by which
A communicates with the ground is placed oppofite
to B, as in figure 5, then the fluid will run out
through that canal till it has no longer any tendency to
run out at RS ; and by the remarks at the end of Prop.
27, it feems probable, that the fluid in A will be
nearly in the fame quantity, and difpofed nearly in
the fame manner, into whatever part of A the canal
is inlerted by which it communicates with the

C o R o L. IV.

If B is undercharged the cafe will be reverfed j that
is, it will run out where it before run in, and will run
in where it before run out.

As far as I can judge, thefe corollaries feem con-
formable to experiment: thus far is certain, that
bodies at a diftance from other cle(ftrifled bodies re-
ceive

-[ 662 ]

C<jivc electricity from the air, it negatively electrified,
and part with fome to jt if pofitively eieClrified: and
a body not eleCtrified and not infulated receives
electricity from the air if brought near an overcharged
body, and loles fome when brought near an under-
charged body : and a body infulated and containing
its natural quantity of fluid, in fome cafes, receives,
and in others lofes eleCtricity, when brought near an
over or undercharged body,

§ 4. The weli-known efteCls of points in caufing
a quick dilcharge of deClricity teem to agree very
well with this theory.

It appears from the 20‘h propofidon, that if two
fimilar bodies of different fizes are placed at a very
great diftance from each other, and conncCled by a
flendcr canal, and overcharged, the force witn which
a particle^ of fluid placed clofe to correfponding parts
nf their lurface is repelled from them, is inveiiely as
the correfponding diameters of the bodies. If the
diflance of the two bodies is fmall, there is not fp
much difference in tne force with which tlie particle
is repelled by the two bodies ; but flill, if the diarne-
lefs of the two bodies are very different, the particle
wmII 1^ repelled wnth much more force from th*e
finaller body than from the larger. It is true indeed
tnat a particle placed at a certain diflance from the
[mailer body, will be repelled with lefs. force than if
It bi- placed at the fime diflance from the greater
body but this d.fl.ince is, I believe, in mofl cafes
pretty confidgrahle ; if the bodies are fpherical, and
th$ tepulfion inveifdly as the fquare of the oiflancc, u
jitticle plav^cd at any diflance Irom the furfaccof the

^ ^ * * ' ' ■ 6 ' ^ •'“fiiialicr

) ■ \ <

f 663 ]

between

he radii of the two bodies, will be repelled from it
with more force than if it be placed at the fame
dilfance from the larger body.

if L‘n"^ be wdl aiTurcd that

If two fimilar bodies are connedled together bv a

efcaf^f f overcharged, the fluid nfuft

efcape fafler from tlie fmaller body than from an
equal fni-face of the larger ; but as the furface of the

oufhl ^ /r * ^ «'’!oh body

ought to lofe mod eledtncity i„ the fame time ; and

mdeed tt feems .mpolfible to determine pofi ively

from this theory which fhould, as ,t depends in gre/t

meafure on the manner m vi^hich the air oppofes the

entrance of die eledtric fluid into it. Perhaps in fome

degrees of eleanfication the fmaller body may lofe

molt, and in others the laro-er. j j

_ Let now A CB (fig. 1 8.) be a conical point ftand-
ingon any body DAB, C being the ven-tex of the
cone ; and let D a B be overcharged : I imagine that
a particle of fluid pl.accd dole to the furface of the
cone anywhere between h and C, mull be repelled
with at leaft as much, if not more, force than it
would, if the part hab^oi the cone was taken
away, and the part^^Ci^ conneded to DAB bv a
Bender canal ; and conibquemly, from what has been
laid before. It feems reafonable to fuppofe that the
wafte of eledlncity from the end of the cone mull be
very great in proportion to its furface ; thouvb it
does not appear from this reafoning vvhethc? the
wafte ot elcaricity from the wliole cone Ihould be

gieatei or lefs than from a cylinder of the lame bale
and altitude.

Ail

[ 664 ]

Ail which has been here faid relating to the flow"
jng out of eledricity from overcharged bodies, hold®
equally true with regard to the flowing in of eledri-
city into undercharged bodies.

But a circumftance which I believe contributes as
much as any thing to the quick difcharge of eledri-
city from points, is the fwift current of air caufed by
them, and taken notice of by Mr. Wilfon and Dr.
PriefUy {vide Prieftly, p. 1 17 and 591) j and which is
produced in this manner.

If a globular body A B D is overcharged, the air
dole to it, all round its furface, is rendered over-
charged, by the eledric fluid, which flows into it
from the body; it will therefore be repelled by the
body i but as the air all round the body is repelled
with the fame force, it is in equilibrio, and has no
tendency to fly off from it. If now the conical point
A C B be made to fland out from the globe, as the
fluid will cfcape much fafter in proportion to the
furface from the end of the point than from the refl:
of the body, the air clofe to it will be much more
overcharged than that clofe to the refl of the body j
it will therefore be repelled with much more force j
and confequently a current of air will flow along the
fides of the cone, from B towards C ; by which
means there is a continual fupply of frefli air, not
much overcharged, brought in contad with the point;
whereas otherwife the air adjoining to it would be fo
much overcharged, that the eledfricity would have
but little difpofition to flow from the point into it.

The fame current of air is produced in a lefs
degree, without the help of the point, if the body,
inftead of being globular, is oblong or flat, or has

knobs

[ 665 3

knobs on It, or is otherwife formed in fuch manner
as to make the ele<ftricity efcape fafter from fome
parts of it than the reft.

In like manner, if the body ABD be under-
charged, the air adjoining to it will alfo be under-
charged, and will therefore be repelled by it; but as
the air dole to the end of the point will be more
nndert barged than that ciofe to the reft of the body,
it will be repelled with much more force ; W'hich
will caufe exadly the fame current of air, flowing
the fame way, as if the body was overcharged; and
confequently the velocity with which the electric
fluid flows into the body, will be very much increafed.
1 believe indeed that it may be laid down as a con-
ftant rule, that the fafter the eledtric fluid efcapes
from any body when overcharged, the fafter will it
run into that body when undercharged.

Points are not the only bodies which caufe a quick
difcharge of eledtricity ; in particular, it efcapes very
faft from the ends of long ftender cylinders; and a
fwift current of air is caufed to flow from the middlie
of the cylinder towards the end : this will eafily ap-
pear by confidering that the redundant fluid is col-
ledled in much greater quantity near the ends of the
cylinders than near the middle. The fmis thing
may be faid, but 1 believe in a lefs degree, of the
edges of thin plates.

What has been juft faid concerning the current of
air, ferves to explain the reafon of the revolving
motion of Dr. Hamilton’s and Mr. Kinnerfley’s bent
pointed wires, vide Phil. Tranf. voi. LI, p. 905, and
vol. LIII, p. 86; alfo Prieftly, p. 429: for the lamere-
pulflon which impels the air Ifom the thick part of the

VoL. LXI, 4 wire

[ 666 ]'

Wire towards the point, tends to impel the wire In*
the contrary direction.

It is well known, that if a body B is pofitivcly-
eledtrified, and another body A, communicating
with the ground, be then brought near it,* the elec-
tric fluid will efcape faftcr from B, at that part of it
which is turned towards A, than before. This is
plainly conformable to theory ; for as A is thereby
rendered undercharged, B will in its turn be made
more overcharged, in that part of it which is turned
towards A, than it was before. But it is alfo well,
known that the fluid will efcape fafter from B, iOA,
be pointed, than if it be blunt ; though B will be
iefs overcharged in this cafe than in the other ; for the
broader the lurface of A, wdiich is turned towards B,
the more efledl will it have in increafing, the over-
charge of B. The caufe of this phaenomenon is* as.
follows :

If A is pointed, and the pointed end turned to-
wards B, the air clofe to the point will be very much
UTidercharged, and therefore will be ftrongly repelled
by A, and attradled by B, which will caule a iwift
current of air to flow from it towards B; by which
means a conflant fupply of undercharged- air will be
brought in contadl with B, which will accelerate the
difeharge of eledfricity from it in a very great de-
gree: and moreover, the more pointed A is, the
fwifter will be this current. If, on the other hand,
that end of A which is turned towards B, is fo blunt,
that the eledlricity is not difpolcd.to run into A fafler
than it is to run out of B, the air adjoining to B may
be as much overcharged as that adjoining to A is un-
dercharged j and therefore may by the joint repul fion^

[667]

of B and attradllon of A, "be impelled froni B to A*
with as much or more force than the air adjoining to
A is impelled in the contrary diredtion ; fo that what
little current of air there is may flow in the contrary
diredtion.

It is eafy applying what has been here faid to the
Cafe in which B is negatively eledlrified.

§ 5. In the paper of Mr. Canton’s, quoted in the
fecond fedfion, and in a paper of Dr. Franklin’s
(Phil. Tranf. 175 c, p. 300, and Franklin’s letters
'p. 155.) arc fome remarkable experiments, fliev/ing
that when an overcharged body is brought near an-
other body, fome fluid is driven to the further end
of this body, and alfo fome driven out of it, if it is
not ihfulated. The experiments are ail flridlly con-
formable to the I ith, 1 2th, and 13th propofitions :
but it is needlefs to point out the agreement, as the
explanation given by the authors does it fufliciently.

. ' § 6. On the Leyden viah

TKe fhock produced by the Leyden vial feemii
Owing only to the great quantity of redundant
fluid colledied on its pofltive fide, and the great
deficiency on its negative fide ; fb that if a con-
dudtor was prepared of fo great a fize, as to be
able to. receive as much additional fluid by the
fame degree of eledrification as the pofltive ‘
fide of a Leyden vial, and was pofltively eledri-
fled in the fame degree as the vial, 1 do not doubt
but what as great a fliock would be produced by
making a communication between this condudor
and the ground, as between the two furfaces of the

4 Q 2 Leyden

[ 668 ]

Leyden vial, fuppoiing both communications to be
made by canals of the lame length and fame kind.

It appears plainly from the experiments which have
been made on this fubjedl:, that the eledlric fluid is not
able to pafs through the glafs ; but yet *it feerns
as it it was able to penetrate without much diffi-
culty to a certain Imall depth, perhaps I might fay
an imperceptible depth within the glafs ; as Dr.
Franklin’s analylis of the Leyden vial Ihews'that its
eledlricity is contained chiefly in the glafs itfelf, and
that the coating is not greatly over or undercharged.

It is well known that glals is not the only fub-
flance which can be charged in the manner of the
Leyden vial ; but that the fame effedl may be pro-
duced by any other body, w'hich will not fufler
the eledtricity to pals through it.

* Hence the pheenomena of the vial feem eafily
explicable by means of the 2 2d propofltion. For
let ACGM, fig. 20, reprefent a flat plate of glafs
or any other fubftance which wnll not fufler the
‘elefiric fluid to pafs through it, feen edgeways ; and
let and ^efF, or B and as I ffiall

call them for ffiortnefs, be two plates of condudl-
ing matter of the fame fize, placed in contact with
the glafs oppolite to each other ; and let be po-
fitively eledrifled ; and let F.f communicate witli
the ground; and let the fluid be fuppofed either

* The following exp'icalion is ft: icily applicable only to that
fort of J.eyden vial, wliicli confifts of a flac plate of glafs or
othrr matter. It is eviJent, however, that the refuli niuft be
nearly of the fame kind, though the glafs is made into the lhape
cf a bottle as ufual, or into any other f >ini: hut I propofe to
confiticr thofe fort of Leyden vials more parikularl) m a future
paper.

able

[ 669 1

able to enter a little way into the glafs, but not to
pals through it, or unable to enter it at all ; and
if it is able to enter a little way into it, let
or b as I fhall call it, reprcfent that part of the
glafs into which the fluid can enter from the plate
and that which the fluid from Ey' can
enter. By the abovementioned propofition, if b
the thicknefs of the glafs, is very fmall in relpeff
of bd^ the diameter of the plates, the quantity of
redundant fluid forced into the fpace or B
(that is, into the plate B^ if the fluid is unable to '
penetrate at all into the glafs, or into the plate B^/,
and the fpace together, if the fluid is able to
penetrate into the glafs') will be many times greater
than w’hat would be forced into it by the fame de-
gree of eleclrification if it had been placed by
itlelf; and the quantity of fluid driven out of E tp,
will be nearly equal to the redundant fluid in BX

If a communication be now made between B5
and E (p, by the canal N R S, the redundant fluid
will run from B^ to E cp ; and if in its way it pafles
through the body of any animal, it will by the ra-
pidity of its motion produce in it that fenfation
called a fliock.

It appears from the 26th propofition, that if a
body of any fize was eledtrified in the fame degree
as the plate B^/, and a communication was made
between that body and the ground, by a canal of
the fame length, breadth and thicknefs as N RS;
that then the fluid in that canal would be impelled
with tlie lame force as that in N RS, fiippofing
the fluid in both canals to he incompreflible ; and
conftquently, as the quantity of fluid to be moved.

[ 670 ]

and the refiftance to its motion is the fame in both
canals, the fluid fhould move with the fame rapi-
dity in both : and I fee no reafon to think that the
cafe will be different, if the communication is
made by canals of real fluid.

Therefore what was laid in the beginning of this
feclion, namely, that as great a fliock would be
produced by making a communication between
tlie conductor and the ground, as between tlie two
fides of the I^eyden vial, by canals of the fame
length and lame kind, fecms a necefiary confe-
quence of this theory ; as the quantity of fluiil
' which pafles through the canal is, by the fuppo-
fltion, the fame in both; and there is the greateft
reafon to think, that the rapidity wdth which it
pafles will be nearly if not quite the fame in- both.

1 hope foon to be able to fay whether this agree*
with experiment as well as theory.

It may be worth obferving, that the longer the
canal N R S is, by which the communication is
made, the lefs will be the rapidity with which the
fluid moves along it; for the longer tlie canal is,
the greater is the refiflance to the motion of the
fluid in it ; whereas the force with which the
whole quantity of fluid in it is impelled, is the
fame whatever be the length of the canal. Ac-
cordingly, it is found in melting fmall wires, by
diredling a Ihock through them, that the longer
the wire the greater charge it requires to melt it.

As the fluid in B$, is attra£ted with great force
by the redundant matter in E<p, it is plain that if
the fluid is able to penetrate at all into the glafs,
great part of the redundant fluid will be lodged in

b I

I

[■ 671 ]

and In like manner there will be a'great deh-
cience of fluid in e (p. But in order to form fome
eflimate of the proportion «of the redundant fluid,
which will be lodged in let the communication
betw^een Eyand the ground be taken away, as well
as that by which is eleflrified ; and let fo much
fluid be taken from BS", 'as to make the redundant
fluid therein equal to the deficient fluid in E (p. If
we.fuppofe that all the redundant fluid is colledled
and all the deficient in e<p, fo as to leave

and E^/faturated; then, if the ekaric repul-
fion^ is inverfely as the fquare of the diflance, a
particle of fluid placed anywhere in the plane
except near the extremities l> and will be at-
trafted with very near as much force by the redun-
dant matter in e cp., as it is repelled by the redun-
dant fluid in^S; but if the repulfion is inverfely,.
as fbme higher power than the fquare, it will be
repelled wi|h much more force by than it is-
attracted by e (p, provided the depth b j3 is very
fmall in refpedl of the thickncfs of the glafs ; and
if the repulfion is inverfely,. as fome lower power
than the fquare, it wnll be attraded whth much
more force by e(p, than it is repelled by Hence
it follows, that if the depth to which the fluid can
penetrate is very fmall in refpedt of the thicknefs^
of the glafs, but yet is fuch that the quantity of
fluid naturally contained in or c(p, is confi-
derably more than the redundant fluid in B then*
if the repulfion is inverfely as- the fquare of the
diflance, almo-fl; all the redundant fluid will be
collected in bd, leaving- the nlacc .B J not very
much, overcharged and in like manner Kf vyfll be.:

/

[ ]

not very much undercliarged : if the repulhon is
riiverfely as fome higher power than the I'quare,
will be very much overcharged, and Kf very
much undercharged : and if the repulfion is in-
verfely, as fome lower power than the Iquare, Yjd
will be very much undercharged, and Kf very
much overcharged.

Suppofe, now, the plate to be feparated from
the plate of glafs, ftiil keepiiig it parallel thereto,
and oppofite to the fune part of it that it before was
applied toj and let the repulfion of the particles be
inverfely, as fome higher power of the diflance than
the fquare. When the plate is in contaft with the
glafs, the repulfion of the redundant fluid in that
plate, on a particle in the plane b d^ td (ji, the inner
lurface of the plate, mud be equal to the excefs of
the repulfion of the redundant fiuid in- bl on it,
above the attradion of E on it ; therefore, when
the plate B ^ is removed ever fo fmall a diftance
from the glafs, the repulfion of the redundant fluid
' in the plate, on a particle in the inner furface of that
plate, will be greater than the excefs of the repuliion
of b^on it, above the attradion of E <p; for the repul-
iaon of b^ will be much more diminifhed by the re-
moval, than the attradion of E<p : confequently,
fome fluid will fly from the plate to the glafs, in the
form of fparks : fj that the plate will not be lb much
overcharged when removed from the glals, as it was
when in contad w'ith it. I fhould imagine, however,
that it would dill be confiderably overcharged.

If one part of the plate is feparated from the glafs
before the red, as mud neceflarily be the cafe, if it
conlids ot bending materials, I Ihould guefs it would

• be

.[ 673 ]

be at leafV as much. If not more, overcharged, when
feparated, as if it is feparated all at once.

In like manner, it fhould feem that the plate E/
will be confiderably undercharged, when feparated

from the glafs, but not fo much fo as when in con-
tact with it.

Ftom the lame kind of reafoning I conclude, that
if the repulfion is inverfely, as fome lower power of
the diftance than the fquare, the plate will be
confiderably undercharged, and E f confiderably over- -
charged, when feparated from the glafs, but not in
fo great a degree as when they are in contaa; with it.

§ 7. There is an experiment of Mr. Wilke and
^pinus, related by Dr. Prieftly, p. 258. called by
them, eledlrifying a plate of air: it confided in placing
two large boards of wood, covered with tin plates,
parallel to each other, and at fome inches afunder.
If a communication was made between one of thefe
and the ground, and the other was pofitively elec-
trified, the former was undercharged ; the boards
ftrongly attraded each other j and, on making a
communication between them, a Ihock. was felt like
that of the Leyden vial.

I am uncertain whether in this experiment the air .
contained between the two boards is very much over-
charged on one fide, and very much undercharged
on the other, as is the cafe with the -plate of glafs »
in the Leyden vial ; or whether the cafe is, that the '•
redundant or deficient fluid is lodged only in the two .
boards, and that the air between them ferves only'
to prevent the eledricity from running from, one
VoL. LXI. 4 R board

'[ 67+ 3

board to’ the other : but whichever of thefe is-tW
cafe, the experiment is equally conformable to the
theory.

It mull be obferved, that a particle of fluid placed
between the two plates is drawn towards the under-
charged plate, with a force exceeding that with which
it would be repelled from the overcharged plate, if
it was electrified with the fame force, the other plate
being taken away, nearly in the ratio of twice the
quantity of redundant fluid actually contained in the
plate, to that which it would contain, if eleCtrified
with the fame force by itfelf j fo that, unlefs the plate
is very weakly eleCtrified, or their diftance is very
eonfiderable, the fluid will be apt to fly from one to
the other, in the form of fparks, ' •

§ 8* Whenever any conducing body as A, com-
municating with the ground, is brought fufficiently
near an overcharged body B, the eleCtric fluid is apt.
to fly through the air from B to A, in the form of a.
fpark : the way by which this is brought about
feems to be this.. The fluid placed anywhere be-
tween the two bodies, is repelled from B towards A,
and will confequently move flowly through, the air
from one to the other : now it feems as if this mo-
tion increafed' the elafticity of the air,, and made.it
rarer: this will enable the fluid to flow in^a fwifter
current, which will, ftlll further incroafe the elafti-
city of the air,, till at laft it is fo^much. rarified, as tO:
form very little oppofition to the motion of the elec-
tric fluid, upon which it flies in an uifrntermpted mafs
frem one body to the other.

In

[ 675 3

In the fame manner may the electric fluid pafs
from one body to another, in the form of a fpark, if
the firfl: body communicates with the ground, and
the other body is negatively ele^lrified, or in any
other cafe in which one body is ftrongly difpofed
to part with its eledtricity to the air, and the other
is flrongly difpoled to receive it.

In like manner, when the ele6lrlc fluid is made
to pafs through water, in the form of a fpark, as in
Signor Beccaria s * and Mr. Lane’s •f* experiments,
I una^ine that the water, by the rapid motion of the
eleftric fluid through it, is turned into an elaflic fluid,
and fo much ratified as to make very little oppofitioe
to its motion : and when ftones are burfl: or thrown
out from buildings ftruck by lightning, in all pro-
bability that effedl is caufed by the moiflure in the
ffone, or fome of the flone itlelf, being turned into
an elaflic fluid.

It appears plainly, from the fudden riling of the
water in Mr. Kinnerfley’s electrical air thermome-
ter J, that when the eleCtric fluid palTes through the
air, in the form of a fpark, the air in its paflage is
either very much rarified, or intirely difplaced : and
the burfting of the glafs veflels, in' Beccaria^s and
Lane’s experiments, fhews that the fame thing hap-
pens with regard to the water, when the eleClric fluid
pafles through it in the form of a fpark. Now,, I
fee no means by which the difplacing of the air o-r

t

4 ■■

^ Elettricifino artificiale c naturale, p. no. Prieftly,
p. 209.

't j hil. Tranf. 1767, p. 451.

'I Phil. Tranf, 1763, p. 84. Prieftly, p. 216,

4 R 2 water

[ 6y6 ]

water can be brought about, but by fuppofing its
elafticity to be increafed, by the motion of the elec-
tric fluid through it, unlefs you fuppofe it to be ac-
tually pufhed afide, by the force with which the
cleftric fluid endeavours to iffue from the over-
charged body : but I can by no means think, that
the force with which the fluid endeavours to ilTue,
in the ordinary cafes in which eledlric fparks are pro-
duced, is fufficient to overcome the prefTure of the
atmofphere, much lefs that it is fufficient to burft
the glafs vefTels in Beccaria’s and Lane’s experi-
ments.

The truth of this is confirmed by Prop. XVI.
For, let an undercharged body be brought near to,
and oppofite to the end of a long cylindrical body
communicating with the ground, by that propofition
the preflure of the electric fluid againfl: the bafe of
the cylinder is fcarcely greater than the force with
which the two bodies attradl each other, provided
that no part of the cylinder is undercharged ; which is
very unlikely to be the cafe, if theeledric repulfion is
invcrfely as the fquare of the diilance, as I have great
reafon to believe it is; and, confequently, if the
fpark was produced, by the air being puflied afide by
the force with which the fluid endeavours to iffue
from the cylinder, no fparks fhould be produced, un-
lefs the eleftricity was fo ftrong, that the force with
wffiich'the bodies attradled each other was as great as
the prefTure of the atmofphere againfl the bafe of the
cylinder : whereas it is well known, that a fpark
may be produced, when the force, with which the
bodies attraft, is very trifling in refpedl of that.

[ 677 ]

One may frequently obferve, in difcharging a Ley-
den vial, that if the two knobs are approached to-
gether very flowly, a hiding noife will be perceived
before the fpark ; which /hews, that the fluid begins
to flow from one knob to the other, before it pafles
in the form of a fpark j and therefore ferves to con-
firm the truth of the opinion, that the Ipark is
brought about in the gradual manner here de-*-
fcribed.

A N

• A

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n ni ^Dvisldb *n.rn snO

> ^-Ai)fOlqn^^ 513 3"'On:! ' wj 3il? '1i t/nJ naf:)

1-3V y-TV' t i (»i.v nlion ; riihid r //Iv.-rfi vi3v

tn{;*-'J Liuft silj l«dj ,3Vs?u.^i f(:*;r{vv ; ;ii6cl 'J3oV-i ■

e'jll^q li sioixi ^ladjo ariJ ol clon:^ ono /noii w. rl oi
*

~r.co o* ^^yn‘Si o^oisT^Ii Lns i.:iii.ql r. 1o iinoi ufij ni
:i '•sift tf-f!} jioifiiqo si? ’io fljuiJ srft rn'iii

• , • . j f

.« *.JVw.4

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^ , 1 ' '

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AN

1 *

INDEX

T O T PI E

Slxty.Firft VOLUME

OF THE

Philofophical TtranfaSiiom,^

For the. Year 1771*.

A\.

A CIDSi their ufe in putrid difeafes, p. Objeflions.-
to them anfwered, p. 34Q, &c.

Jgnano^ its lake is the remains of a volcanoe, p. 15/16.

Air is a non-condu(5tor of electricity,. p. 649. Plate ofi
eleftrified, p. '673.

Alcali volatile produced by putrefa6lion,.p; 333. Impro-
per in putrid diforders, p. 3.3s.

Alchorne^Mx. Stanefby, his account oi‘ the fifty, Chelfeai

- plants for 17,70,. p. 390, &x.

Apbirles^ a numerous clafs ot infedls, P..183. Defeription-
of thofe growing on the rofe trees, p. 184. Viviparous,
in the fpring anid, fummer, and oviparous at .the end of

the.

I IS U A.

the year, p. 185. Their incrcafc by fuccefTive genera-
tions, p, 186, 187. No males but in the lad brood,
p. 188. Their copulation, 190, 19 1. Produce of
their eggs, p. 192. Their prodigious fecundity,
P* 193-

'^Atergatis^ a Phoenician deity, p. 346. The fame with
Dagon, ibid.

Athens^ no copper coined there before the end of the Pe-
loponefian war, p. 469. Coined no gold, p. 471.

Attic drachm, heavier than the denarius, p. 463. 528.
Was both a piece of money and a weight, p. 468. Was
the mod famous for finenefs and judnefs, p. 469. Its
weight, p. 480. 483. Its worth, p. 523. Lowered
when Greece was reduced by the Romans, p. 530.

Atra5Hon and repulfion of electrified bodies accounted for,
P- 653*

As^ Etrufcan, druckat Volaterra, p. 85, 86.

As^ Roman, its value, p. 519.

Avernus^ the lake, had formerly a communication with the
fea, p. 28. Fills the bottom of the crater of a moun-
tain produced by explofion, p. 32.

Aureus^ Roman, erroneoufly fuppofed double the weight
of the Denarius, p. 464. Its real weight, p. 502.

Aurum Mofaicum^ a preparation of tin defcribed by Mr.
Woulfe, p. 114, 115.

B.

Babylonian talent, .its weight, p. 488.

Barbara or Gauro, a mountain formed by an eruption,
p. 31. •

Barkery Thomas, Efq-, obfervations on the quantities of
rain at Lyndon in Rutlandfhire, p. 221. 227, &c.

Barrington, Hon. Daines, perfids in his opinion about the '
chefnut trees, p. 167. A new obfervation of his ort
that fubjeft, p. 168. Account of a new niolc from
North America, p. 292. Account of experiments

made

■I N i) X. 68f

made in North Wales, to afcertain the quantities of
rain, at different heights, p. 294.

Bflfait xutks in Hafiia, p. 580; Their nature, p. 5^1;

Probably the produce of volcanoes, p. 582.

Batavia^ its latitude and longitude determined, p. 435*
Beccaria^ Mr. John Baptilf, his experiments with Mf<
Canton’s phofphorus, p. 212.

Bergius^ Profeflbr Jonas, defeription of a new plant front
the Eaft Indies, p. 289, 290.

Bivalve inftdls, diftindl from bivalve fhell-fifli, p. 30^
Borlafe^ Dr. William, meteorological obfervations fof
1770, p. 195.

Bracini^ his account of the crater of Vefuvius before the
eruption of 1631, p. li.

Bufolo^ a wild ox, native of Tufeany, p< 84.

G.

Calculation of folar eclipfes very operofe in the common
, manner, p. 437.' Simplified by Kepler, ibid. Demon-^
ftrated and extended by Dr. Pemberton, p. 438, &c.
Cam^ the river, not frozen by a remarkable degree of cold^
p. 213.

Cambridge, obfervatiens made on a remarkable cold there,
p. 213, 214, &c.

Canton, Mr. John, experiments fnade with his phofphorus,

. p. 2 12.

Caprea, ifland of, not formed by eruption, p. 14.

Carp, whether only a frefh*water fifh, p. 311. Howto
m.anage them properly, p. 313. Which are the bed
for breeding, p. 316. Manner of their fpawning,
p. 3 17. Mix with other fiPn, and produce mules, p, 318.
Quicknefs of their growth, p. 321. How to be fed in
cellars, p. 323. Will live a great while out of water,

P' 324*

Crufians, the fame fifh with the fud or fin-fcale, p. 318,
Vo;.. LXr. 4 S , Cavendijh^

6S2

INDEX.

Cavendifh^ Hon. Henry, attempts to explain the phaenomena
of eledtricity, p. 584. His hypothefs, p. 585. Its
confequences, p. 586, &c.

Chalcus^ difpurcs about its value, p. 470.

Chelfea fifty plants of the garden for 1770, p. 390.

Chefnut tree, whether indigenous in England, p. 136, Src.
found fpontaneoufly growing in feveral woods, p. 140.
How called by the Saxons, p. 147. Thought to have
been ufed in mofl; of the old edifices in England, p. 137,

. 157. Why difufed fiPiCe, p. 149. 159.

Cbinefe ftoves, defcribed by Father Gramont, p. 61, &c.
Their general conftrudtion, p, 62, 63. Their differ-
ences, ibid. Their advantages, p. 67.

Cochinchina^ a map of that kingdom, and of Cambodia,
undertaken by Father Loreyro, p. 59, 60.

Coins, Greek and Roman, examined, p, 462.

Coin, a Punic, defcribed by Mr. Swinton, 78. With the
Latin monogram vab (vabar), p. 79. Siculo-Punic
explained by Mr. Swinton, 91.

Coins firuck in Phoenicia before Alexander the Great,
p. 345, &c.

Cold, a remarkable one at Cambridge, p. 213. Perhaps
occafioned by the folution of water in air, p. 215. Its

' effedls upon various faline folutions, p. 217. A very
great one in Normandy, p. 287. And at Glafgow,
P- 327-

Colors, particular tranfmitted to, and reflcded by, Mr.
Canton’s {)hofphorus, p. 212.

C^viet, new, obferved at Paris, by Mr. Meflier, p. 104.
Its elements by Mr. Pingre, p. 106.

Cdmpafs, \X.^ variation obferved in the South Seas, p. 422,

Condu^ors in electricity diflinguifhed from non-conduCtors,
p. 649.

Gngius Roman, its meafure, p. 494, 495.

Confular /liver, its inequalities among the Romans,

P- 5<^5*

' ■ ’ Cioke,

I N D E X: 68j

Cooke, Lieut. James, aftronomical obfervations m thfc
South Seas, p. 397. His obfervations 6f the variation
of the compafs in the South Seas, p. 422.

Crell,, Profellbr, F. L. F. experiments on putrefadtion,
P- 332-

D.

Dagon, a Deity of the Philiftines, p. 347. Called Acer-
gatis in Phoenicia^ ibid.

"Park, the Perfian, was the gold coin ufed at Athens in
ancient times, p. 474.

Bean, Foreft of, formerly abounding in chefnut- trees,
p. 142. Whether any there ftill, p. 145, 146.

BenariuSy Roman, of various kinds, p. 490. Its mean
weight, p. 508. Its diminution under the Emperors,
p. 509.

Be VifmeSy Mr. Stephen, letter on the manner in which
the Chinefe heat their rooms, p. 59.

Bijiances of the planets from the fun, p. 579.

Bollondy Mr. has improved his micrometer, p. 538.

Bucarel, Dr. on chelnut-trees in England, p. 136. Thinks
that the timber of that tree was ufed in the conftru6tion
of ancient houfes in London and elfe where, p. 137.
157-

E.

Earthquakes produced by the fame caofes which bring on
explofions, p. 29.

Eclipfes Solar, fee Calculation,

Edwards, Mr. George, defcription of a bird from the Eaft
Indies, p. 55.

Eginean talent, its weight, p! 483. Was the ftandard of
the Macedonian money, p. 484. And of the Ptole-
maic money in Egypt, ibid.

4S 2

Eijenjchmid,

^4- INDEX,

JE^ifenfehmid, analyfis of his bopk^ De Ponderibus & men-r
funs yecerum, p. 464.

Eldsn holey a remarkable cavern in Derbylhire, p. 251,

^le6lricity explained by means of an elaftic fluid, p. 584,
Comparifon of the theory with experiment, p, 649.-
' Greek, its ancient form, p. 99.

'Equatorial telefcope, invented and defcribed by Mr,
Nairne, p. 107. Its ufes, p. 109, &c.

Eruptions of lavas, their dates may be in forne meafure
afcertained by the ftrata of good mould lying between
different beds of purnice leones, p. 6.

Etnay an eruption of this mountain at hand, p. 42.

Etrufcan letters, the firft alphabetical in Italy, p. 88.

Euboic talenty came from Afia, p. 4.S6. Its proportion to
fhe Attic, p. 48.6. ■ ‘ .

F.

4

wine where produced, p 32.

Eluents afljgnable by arcs of Conic Sedfions, how to be
computed, p. 298.

FoUi§y what it was, p. 515.

ForJleTy Mr. John Reinhold, on the management of carp
in PolHb Frulfia, p. 310.

G,

Cardeuy Or. his account of a new turtle Pent over by him

I from South Carolina, p. 267.

f^eneratiofiy infufflciency of the fyftems pn, p. 193, 194.

fjeorge IJland, in the South Seas, its latitude, p, 40(5.
Epngitude^, p. 409, Ihanfit of Venqs obferyed, p. 410,
&c. Dip of the needle obferved, p. 420. Obfervations
of ^he tidep, P- 420.

Gold, i'5 yalpe in Greece anci Rome, p. 517. Its pro-
portion to filver in (iiflPcrent times, p. 518. r.i2,

i • N D E X.

K)o!d^ fearcc in ancient Greece, p. 472. Com.jnon aftc^
the times of Philip of Macetion, p. 473.

Qorfuch, Rev. William, Regifter of mortality for teik
years, at Holy Crofs in Salop, p. 57.

Gramont^ Father, defer iption of the Chinefe ftov.es,

p. 6 1 .

Grea:pes, his labours .on ancient coins analyfed, p. 463,
464.

Greeks^ had no money at the time of the Trojan war,
P- 527-

Greeny Mr. Charles, obfervations at George Ifland in this
South Sea, p,. 397. Died at Batavia, p. 421..

H.

Hamiltony Sir William, K. B. remarks upon the nature of
the foil of Naples, and its neighbourhood, p. 1—48.

Hanlyy Dr. Peter, account of a fteatomous tumor, p. 131,.

Uaftedy Edward, Efqj ori the chefnut tree’s being indige-
nous in England, p. 160.

Heberdeny Dr. William, his note on the difference in the
quantity of rain at ditferem diftances from the earth,
p. 297. _

Uercnlanmmy in fome parts 120 feet, and in no part Jefs_
thaja 70 feet, below ground, p. 3, Covered with the
matter of fix different eruptions over that which de-
ftroyed ir, p. 7.

tiornJJjyy Rev. ProleffTor, determination of the fun’s parai^.
jax from the obfervations of the laft tranfit of Venus,

P- 574*

Borfey running, its price in Greece, p. 528.

liorjleyy Rev. Samuel, problems, on the denfity of a cruft
compofed of fpherical particles upon the furface of a
globe, p. 558.

Bownrdy John, Efq; obfervations on the heat of the
ground op Mount Vefuyius, p. ^3.

fJunt^ry

E55 I 'U •£) E X.'

Hunter^ Dr. William, his account of the Nyl*ghau, an
Indian animal, p.' 170.

Hygrometer y nevv invented by Mr. Smeaton, p. 198. Made
with flaxen cords, p. 199. Defcription of it, p. 201.

’ Obfcrvations made with it,* p. 207, 208. Is not a
meafurer of the abfolute quantity of mojftare contained
in the air, p. 209. But of the difpolition of the air to
precipitate or imbibe water, p. 210.

f.

t

Icty its evaporation, p. 329.

Indigenous plants found in' feveral parts of England,
p. 359,&c. Difficult to be diftinguifhed, p. 385.
JndigOy uftd to make the Saxon blue, p. 128. and a yellovv
die, p. 129.

JnJlruQionSy given to the obfervers of the tranfit of Venus,

* P- 545- . . • ■ ^ ^

Ifcbiay ifland, formed by eruptions, p. 34. Its baths,

P- 35-

K.

Kangy fee Chinefe Jioves.

Kepler^ s compendium for computing Solar Eclipfes dc-
monflrated and extended, p. 437, &c.

Kingy Edward, Efq-, his obfcrvations on the cavern of
Elden-hole in Derby fhire, p. 256. Mis conjedure a«

■ bout a fubterraneous river at the bottom ot the cavern,
p. 258 — 265.

L. -

LandeUy Mr. John, on fluents afTignable by arcs of Conic
Sedions, p. 298.

LavOy a foul vitrified matter, produced by eruptions and
very different from the tufa, p. 7.

Leyden-

6

i: n ;d ’E x;

xt^eydtn vial, its plia?nomena defcribtd, p.

Lloydf Mr. account of Elden-hole in Derbyfliire, p. 251,
Luc^ Mr. de, has invented a new method of obfervino- the
elevation of places by means of the Barometer, p. 2^4.

, • M.

Mac Bride, his objefUons to the ufe of acids in putrid dif-
• orders, p.' 339. Examined by Profeffor CrelJ, p. 340,

34 ^ • *

Majkeline, Rev. Nevile, his calculations of the Aftronomi-
cal obfervations in the South Seas, p. 405, 406, &c.
His improvements of Dollond’s Micrometer, p. 536.

. Mena, a town in Sicily, pj 97, 98.

Mejfier, Mr. on a new Comet, p, 104.

Mercury, its tranfit over the Sun obferved at Cambridge
New England, p. 51.

Meteorological obfervations at Ludgvan in Cornwall, for
1770, p. 195. At Caen ih<Normandy by Mr. Pigott,
p. 274.

Micrometer, Dollond’s, improvement and new applications
P; 53^- .

MiUflrenJis, a coin introduced by Conftantine, p. ^ri.

, Its weight, p. 513. 515. Its worth, p. 526*

Mina, worth a hundred drachms, p. 468.

Mofetes, fee Vapours.

Mobr, Mr. John Mauritz, obferves the tranfit of Venus
at Batavia, p, 433. And that of Mercury, p. 435.
Mole, a new, from North America, defcribed by Mr.
Barrington, p. 292.

Monocle, a bivalve infedl mentioned by Linnaeus and
GeofFroy, p. 231. Defcribed before by Mr. Baker,
p. 232. A new fpecics of it likewife defcribed, p. 232.

, A catalogue of the different fpecies hitherto known,
p. 243*

Monro,

I

D Ey X/

McnrOy Dr. Donald, account of the natron frorrt Tripoli,
. P- 567.

Monte nuovo, accounts of the explofion^ which produced
it, p. 20—26.

Mcuntaim^ how to difiinguifh ihofe wliich'do, from thofe
which do not, life by lubCt:rr«neous iires, p. 13.
Muller^ Mr. obf-rvations on fonic b. valve infers near
' Copenhagen,- p. 230.

Mufeum^ Briti'fb, very rich in ancient coins, p. 4^63,
467, &c*

h^airne, Mr. Edward, defcription of a new Equatorial
Telefcope, 107.

'Naples^ its foil, together with that of the country twenty

’ miles round the production of fubterrancous fires,
p. 2, 3, &c.

2\‘atron of the ancients, its ufes, P.-567. Its nature, p. 368^
Found native in Egypt and near Smyrna, p. 569. Got
at the Pic of Tencriffe, p. 570. In a crylUllinc form
at Tripoli, p. 570. Its delcription, p. 571.

degree, how to be computed, p. 428, Src. •

PJySlanihes elongata^ a new . plant from liaft India,
defcribed by Profeflur Bergius, 289. .

P^yl-ghau^ an Indian animal, ol the ruminant kind,
p. 170. Defcription of it, p. 171. Its maniitr.s
p. ^75‘ ^ ditfercnt fpecies Irom the Ox, the Deer,

and the Antelope, p. 178. Where found, p. 179^
Origin of its name, p. 180. .

P.

parallax Solar, deduced from tlie obfervations o( the

rranfit of Venus, p. 574, &c.

Ptinberm, Dr. Henry, Kepler’s method of computing

the

%

INDEX. 6Sg

the Moon’s parallaxes in Solar Eclipfes demonftrated
and extended, p. 437, &c.

"Pennant^ Thomas. Elq-, account of two new tortoifes,
p. 266.

Perftan coins, bear the effigies of the kings, p. 352.

Philippic^ its weight, p. 475, &c.

Pigott^ Nathanael Efq-, his Meteorogical obfervations at
Caen in Normandy, p. 274, &c.

Points^ effefts of, in cauling a quick difeharge of eledlricity
accounted for, p. 662.

Pompeii^ buried ten or twelve feet deep, p. 3. Has felt the
effedt of one eruption only, p. 4. Which was taral to
many of its inhabitants, p. 4. Covered with a ftratum
of pumice and burnt matter, and above that with two
feet of good mould, p. 5. Its llreets were paved with
lava, ibid.

Pofitive eledlricity, how diftinguiffied from negative, p. 652,

^53-

Pound, Roman, its divifion, p. 492. Its weight, 495.

Pumice Ifone is marble and alaballer in its infant ftate,
p. 48. Produced from bitumen, p. 49.

Putrefadiicn, produces a volatile alkali, p. 333. Experi-
ments made to afeertain it, p. 334, 335.

Puzzolane, a fine burnt material, entering in the compo-
fition of the Tufa, p. 7. A lime prepared by nature,

p. 8.

R-

Rain, difference of its quantity at different heights obferved
in North Wales, p. 294. That quantity depends upon
the diftance Iropi the earth, andfcarcely upon ti;e heiglfc
of places, p. apff

Paper, Matthew, Efq-, on Greek and Roman coins, p 462. '

Rafpe, Mr. R. S. account of Bafalt-hills in Ruffia, p. 580.

Rtekardfon, Dr. William, on the Aphides, p. 182.

Rom.an Soldier’s pay, p. 519, &c.

Tol. LXl. 4 T Sagittarius,

INDEX.

6^0

S.

Sagittariusj a new bird from the Eaft Indies, defcrlbed by
Mr. Edwards, p. 55.

Salts^ their comparative powers in refifting congelation,
p. 21S.

Saxon blue, made in the beft manner, p. 128.

Scruple Roman, its weight, p.490. Its variations,p.500, &c.

Sea coals ufed in China, p. 70.

Sea^ formerly reached the mountains between Capua and
Caferta, p. 2, 3, &c.

Seeds, whether they can remain many ages in an inert
ftate of fecundity, p. 386.

Segefta, a maritime Sicilian city, p. 93. A Punic coin of
that city, ibid.

Sejlerce, its weight, p. 524. Value, p. 525.

Shells, feveral hypotheles on their formation, p. 239;

Smeaton, Mr. John, defcription of a new Hygrometer,
p. 196.

iS’o/7 of Naples, produced by explofions, p. 15.

Soft, fiielled tortoife defcribed by Dr. Garden, p. 267
and by Mr. Pennant, p. 268, &c.

Solfaterra, formerly a volcanoe, p. 17. 48. 49. Its antient
name Forum Vulcani, p. 19. ,

Somma, the Vefuvius of the antients, p. 12. 25. took its
rife from the bottom of the fea, p. 13.

Slabia, place where Pliny the elder loll his life, p. 5.

Stamford, in Lincolnfliire, its latitude afcertained, p. 238.,

Stater, or tetradrachm, the molf common Attic coin-now
remaining, p. 480.

Sleatomous rumor in the abdomen of a woman, p. 132,.
uncialis, Etrufcan weight, defcribed by Mr. Swinton,
p. 87. 88, Anterior to the regifuge ol the 1 arquins,
p. 89.

691

INDEX.

Sufit its diftance from the earth, p. 579.

Swinion, Rev. John, Explicatron of a Punic or Phoenician
coin, p. 78. Remarks upon two Etrufcan weights,
p. 82. Interpretation of two Punic inferiptions, p. 91,
Obfervations upon five ancient Perfian coins, p. 345.

' \

T. . . •

talent ^ contained fixty minas, p. 468.

^alenty its value, p. 523. See Babylonian^ Eginean^
Euboic.

*Tetradrachm^ fee Stater.

Thorpe Mr. his Examination of Mr. Barrington’s opinion
concerning chefnut trees, p. 152.

Thunder ftorm, remarkable at St. Keverne, in Cornwall,
p. 71, &c.

Tides obferved at George Ifiand, p. 428.

TortoifeSj two new, deferibed by Mri Pennant, p. 265.

Tranf.t of V^’enus, obferved at George Ifland, p. 410. and
at Batavia, p. 433. Of Mercury, obferved by Mr.
Green, and Capt. Cook, in the South Seas, p. 432. at
Batavia, p. 435.

Tuberculated tortoife deferibed by Mr. Pennant, p. 271.

Tufa, or Naples ftone, compofed of pumice afhes, and
burnt ma ter, p. 7. Has taken the impreflion of the
head of an ancient flatue dug out at Herculaneum, p. 8.

Tyfon, Mr. Michael, account of a fingular fifh, p. 247.

V.

Vabar. A Cafthaginlan featown in Mauritania, p. 79. A'
coin firuck there, while in the poflefiion of the Romans,
p. 80.

4 T 2

Vapours,

692 I N t> E X;

VapcurSy rifing from Volcanoes, pernicious to animati
p. 16. 33. 41. Correfponding with fixt air, ibid. -

Ventaroli^ cold fubterraneous winds, p. 35.

VeJuviuSy a great channel, through which nature dis-
charges fome foul humours of the earth, p. 11. its cone
raifed by eruptions, p. 12. Heat of the ground on the
mountain, p. 53.

Virgin foil, none near Vefuvius, p. 13.

Volcanoes owe their exiftence to fubterraneous fires, p. 2*
Frequently throw up water mixed with the afhes, p. 9.
the matter of their eruptions lies very deep, p. 29, 30,
their fmoke contains a portion of electrical matter, p. 40.

W.

1

Waring^ Richard Hill Efqj on indigenous plants of
England, p. 359.

Water thrown out by Mount Etna, and other volcanoes,
,in the beginning of eruptions, p. 9. Boiling, rufhes
out of the rock of Pifciarelli near the Solfaterra, p. 1 8.

Water^ rarefied and turned into an elaftic fluid by eicClri-
city, 675.

Watfon, Profeffor Robert, on the effeCls of a remarkable
cold, 213.

Wilfon, Frofeflbr, account of a remarkable cold at
Glalgow, p. 326.

Winthrop^ Profeiior, his obfervation of the tranfit of
Mercury in new England, p- 51.

Wollajion^ Rev. Account of the going of his clock, p. 559.
Some of his Aflronomical obfervations, p. 565.

Woulfe^ Mr. Peter, experiments on the Aurutn Mofaicum,
p. 114. Method of dying wool and filk of a yellow
colour with indigo, p< 129.

WeightSf Etrufean, deferibed by Mr. Swinton, p. 82. 87.

Williams y

• !

INDEX.

Williams, Rev. Mr. account of a remarkable thunder florin^
p. 71, 72.

y

Yellow dies, by means of Indigo^ defcribed by Mf.
Woulfe, p. 129.

Z.

Zehra^ a new fifh brought over by Coriimodore Byron,
and defcribed by Mr. Tyfon, p< 247. A fpecies of
perch, 248.

The Number of P L A T E S In this Volume 15
Twenty-two.

finis,

4

\

ERRATA.

Vol. LIX.

Pag.

69, line

23>

fhortell

longeff.

Vol. LX.

Pag.

i94f

8,

effort

effete.

II,

knots

knobs.

20$,

13,

explofion

expulfion.

211,

9,

mere

more.

216,

12,

fort

foot.

218,

22,

fitted

filled.

219, 28, I let the air into the receiver,

224, 17, read from one coududiug, particle to another.

227, 2, for proof read procefs.

502, middle column, 1. 3 from bottom, 7*45«^ >'• 7'43-j'5»

Pag.

17,

14,.^r

Vol. LXI.

avenues avernus.

7«>

12,

Tab. III.

Tab. III. * .

79,

lad line,

Vabais i

Vabar is.

14?,

II,

ehefimt

chefnut.

168,

note 3,

at the North Eaft to the North Eaff.

219,

2C,

fait

falts.

274,

3, Efq; add F.

R.S.

275,

20, 30th 72 Inches

Barom. 30 72 inches.

280,

13,

m It

in the apartment.

282,

13, afer^oxm r.although diminiflied in lonn, weighed.

290,

2,

■euq

que.

29?,

23,

fixteen ths

, fix tenths.

359.

2,

read

Richard Hill Waring.

360,

26,

Phyl

Phyt.

362,

6,

tri|)Ia

tripld.

36 f,

16,

Vacinia

. Vaccinia.

366,

26,

and the

and on the.

367,

Sf

county

country.

368,

5,

Ter

Ger.

371,

22, 23,

Perica:

Peziz®.

377,

I,

removed

renewed.

379,

9i

Triddlc

h'riddle.

383,

.4,

prepared to

prepared and at liberty to.

4f4

at bottom

XLV.

XLVII.

I

U:

> •

r . •- ' '