Natural History Museum Library
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mA Ree pea Fa ens ed SALin A LP a ae AN a ae
. General Contents
3 OFT s E |
BRITISH MUSEUM.
. The Seconp Ep:itTion..
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General Contents
OF THE
BRITISH MUSEUM:
Wl K
mE MAR KS.
. /
Serving as a
~D I on eed cD) RK Y
In Viewing fat
Noble Ca BINET.
TEE SECOND EDITION,
With AppiTions and IMPROVEMENTS, and a
COMPLETE INDEX.
Caflor gaudet equis ; ovo prognatus eodemty,
- Pugnis: quot capitum vivunt, es frudiorum
Milia.
wi O ND OO NS
Printed for R. and J. Dopsxey, in Pall-mall;
MDC CLXII.
a
PREFACE.
S Iam quite fenfible that fome-
thing will be expedted by way
of Preface to the following Sheets, I
will not, by omitting it, difappoint
any of my Readers,
Curiofity almoft univerfally pre-
vails: Many therefore will, inal! Pro-
bability, want to know my Reafons
for this Publication ; why I have not
been more full in my Defcriptions,
and more {yftematical in my Manner.
Of thefe, as well as many other Par-
ticulars, the Reader fhall be informed;
5 | Ag but
( vi )
but I muft firft befpeak his Patience,
till fomething is faid of the Mufeum
itfelf. | |
It is difficult to determine; whether
this Excellent Foundation | reflects
more Honour on his late Majefty,
who was pleafed:to beftow on it a
large and valuable Library, collected
by his Royal Predeceffors ; con Sir
Hans Sloane, who with great Know-
ledge, Expence, and Trouble, pro-
cured the moft curious Part of what
is here depofited ; or on the Brati/h
Parliament, who made it a lafting
' Monument of Glory to the Nation,
Certain it is, the Public is greatly in-
debted to them all, as well as to the
Right Honourable and Honourable
the Truftees, and the Officers of the
Floufe, by whofe Superintendance it
:. Is
[ wa)
is conducted under fuch wife Regula-
tions, that it is as great in Perfection
as it was in Defign. The Officers
_are remarked for being a fenfible and
‘learned Set of Men, all equal to the
Employment, being well verfed in the
Bufinefs of their feveral Departments,
and at all Times willing to gratify the
Curiofity of the Inquifitive, with any
Information that can be required of
them,
I am not without Hopes that the
Time may foon come, when every
_ public-fpirited Collector of rare Me-
dals, Minerals, Animals, Plants, In
feéts, or Stones, and, in fine, of every
Thing that either Nature or Art pro-
duces, worthy the Obfervation of the
~ Curious, , will depofit the Produce of
his Labour in this moft valuable Ca-
| pee! Paset.
( wh 4
binet. If he is of ample Fortune, the
Public will accept of them as a Pre-
fent, and convey his Name to the ©
lateft Pofterity ; if, on the contrary,
_ he is poor, though ingenious, fuch is
the Generofity of this happy Nation,
that I dare venture to fay they will,
on all fuch Occafions, according to
the Merit of the Perfon, remove that
great Obftacle to Science, befides af-
fording him a proper Share of Ho-
nour,
- Learning was for many Ages in a
Manner buried in Oblivion; a dark
_ Ignorance fpread itfelf over the Pace:
of the whole Earth ; and, what was ftill
worte, did any noble Spirit endeavour
to rouze himfelf and others from the
general Lethargy, he was prefently
—— with publithing new Opi-
nions,
ee ee a
(fiz )
nions, and perhaps branded with In-
famy, under a Pretence of his attach-
ing himfelf to the Study of the Magic
Art. Indeed, numberlefs were the
Obftacles to the Refurrection of Learn-
ing ; a dark Ignorance, a blind Infa-
tuation, an obftinate Prejudice: Yet
fo hard a Matter is it to fetter: the
human Mind, that it rofe fuperior to
all Difficulties. Literature is once
more recovered from its long Swoon,
and now fhines in its priftine Luftre: _
Nay, there are in thefe our happy
Times many Things generally known,
of which the Ancients had not the
leaft Notion; and. many others by
‘them only gueffed at, or known in.
Theory, which we have reduced to a
mathematical Certainty.
Lig Nothin g
( =)
Nothing can conduce more to pre-
ferve the Learning which this latter.
Age abounds with, than having Re-
pofitories in every Nation to contain
its Antiquities, fuch as is the Mufeum
of Britain: But, in order more ef-
fetually to prevent our falling back
again into a State.of Ignorance and
Barbarifm, it were to be withed that
the Plan of it were enlarged, that the
Buildings were more extenfive, and
that a Fund were eftablifhed, fufficient
to anfwer the Purpofe of encouraging
ingenious Men in every ufeful Art, in
every Science; and I know of nothing
that can be done that will tend more
to the Honour of our Country, when
it fhall pleafe God to give us the
_ Bleffing of Peace, than to have fuch
a large Fund appropriated for the En-
_couragement of Ingenuity and Learn-
ing.
{
ing. When we read over the Lift of
the Names that compofe the Royal
Society, the Truftees of this Mufeum,
and that numerous Train. of Britons,
who with fo much to encourage every
Art, Science, and Manufacture, can
we poffibly be at a lofs for Truftees
to manage with Impartiality and Pro-
priety a more general Eftablifhment ?
I could mention feveral, every way
qualified, who would have too much,
public Spirit to refufe undertaking it,
_ if invited by their Country to the
Truft, From the united Labours of
fuch a Society, what might we not
hope for? Modeft Merit would once
more raife its drooping Head, affured
of a candid Hearing from fach able
- Judges; every Manufacture would
foon be brought to the greateft Per-
fection, Agriculture be held in proper
A 6 Efteem,,
(\. wit.)
Efteem, and the Sciences more than
flourifh ; for it would even be un-
fafhionable to be illiterate. But this ©
is a Point of too great Importance to
be brought to bear without the Inter-
pofition of Parliament; it is fincerely
to be wifhed they may at a proper
Time take it under their Confidera-
tion; no Age is fo likely as the pre-
fent, in which fo much Encourage-
ment is given, in moft Things that
are worthy of Praife: Yet, though
they are encouraged, a regular Efta-
blifhment for the Purpofe is certainly
much wanted,
Should the Hints I have here given
be of any Ufe to the Community, my
Pleafure would be compleat; and,
were I called upon, I could fubmit a
Plan, that would not, I flatter myfelf,
be
; & ae: )
be totally imperfect. But I have dwele
long enough on this Subje& for the
prefent, and now proceed to gratify
the Curiofity of my Readers, by faying
fomething of the following Pages.
‘The Purchafers of this little Work
muft not expect too: much, it not
being meant to give a particular Ac-
count of all the Contents of this noble
Cabinet: That is referved for other
Pens, being, as I am informed, to be
publifhed by the Officers of the Houfe
at a proper Time, and will confift of
many Volumes in Folio, What I here
prefent to the Public, are only a few
Remarks on the general Contents,
without enlarging too much on any
- Thing. A Regularity of Method is
obferved ; for my Reader will find
Ripa ‘accompanied through all the
| Rooms
( si )
“ Rooms in the fame Order they are
fhewn: The general Heads are given ;
and he is directed in his Choice of a
few Objects moft worthy Remark
under each Title: So that, upon the
whole, I can offer it as a Kind of |
Directory to thofe who are inclined to
fee the Mufeum ; it will likewife ferve |
to give a tolerable Idea of the Contents
to thofe who have no Opportunity of
feeing it, and to refrefth the Memory,
where perhaps it hath been viewed
inacurfory Manner.
- Among the Numbers whom Cu-
tiofity prompted to get a Sight of
this Colledtion, I was of Courfe one;
but the Time allowed to view it was
fo fhort, and the Rooms fo numerous,
that it was impoffible, without fome
_ ‘Kind of Directory, to form a proper
Idea
( m. )
Idea of the Particulars : And though
I was far from being unacquainted
with moft of the Contents before they
became the Property of the Public,
muft confefs myfelf to have been at
fome lofs in this Refpe&. The Offi-
cers, indeed, were always extremely
attentive ; but it was ftill impoffible
_ for them to gratify every particular
Perfon’s Curiofity. Upon mention-
ing this to fome of my intimate
Friends, I found that the Complaint
was general, and was follicited to
write fomething that might be of Ufe
to remove thefe Difficulties. I rather
declined the Undertaking, urging that
it would come with more Propriety
from the Officers of the Honfe: But
_ this Objection, I was told, had little
: Weight, as it was impoffible for them
to do it, becaufe whatever came from
that
(m4 )
that Quarter muft be fulf and perfec ;
that a fulland perfect Account would
be bulky, and of courfe dear’; but
that the Publie wanted fomething
concife and cheap. Convinced thus
by Truth, I fubmitted to the 'Tafk,
and the more readily, as I have al- -
ways had a particular Bent to the
Study of Natural Hiftory, and confe-
quently did not look upon myfelf as
totally unqualified.
I muft take this Opportunitty of
acknowledging what I owe to feveral
Gentlemen, who gave me Notes they
had taken on viewing it, which en-
abled me to purfue a more regular
Plan, than otherwife I could have
done: But particularly my Thanks
are due to one, who greatly affifted
‘me, which he was the more qualified
to
( xvii )
to do, as having been intimately ac-
~ quainted with Sir Hans Sloane, to
whom he gave many of the curious
Matters contained in the Mufeum,
collected by himfelf in his Travels.
I muft not forget a Lady, who
gave me fome curious Remarks on
the recent Shells; and am forry,
_ from the Nature of the Work, it was
impoffible for me to make much Ufe
of them, as they would have taken
up too much Room.
I know it is impoffible to pleafe
every body, confequently have no
Doubt but much Fault will be found
with-this little Performance. Some
_ will think I have paffed too flightly
over the Frefco Paintings; or that I
might have faid more of the Portraits,
than
( xvii )
than juft giving their Names. Many
will imagine I have not been attentive
enough to the Manufcripts or Me-
dals ; and others, perhaps, would have
wifhed me to have filled twenty Pa-
ges with a Defcription of the Mole
Cricket. Thus every one would have
been moft pleafed I fhould have en-
larged on that SubjeG& which beft
fuited his particular Tafte. I have
taken the mean Way, having faid
fomething of every Thing, much of
nothing. It was not at all necefiary
to be more particular in the Account
of the feveral Articles comprifed un-
der the general Titles: I mean only
fo far to lead my Reader, that he
may with Eafe find the Matter treat-: _
ed of in viewing the Collection, and _
there make his own Obfervations on
the Nature and Properties of it ; and
| if
( -sx ))
if he has not that Opportunity, by
confulting the Writers on Natural
-Hiftory, his Curiofity will perhaps in
part be fatisfied. Had I not been
ftrongly urged to the Undertaking,
and was I not fully fenfible, that
fomething of the Kind is much want-
ing, this Trifle. had never been pub-
lifhed; If it is ufeful, Iam fatisfied:
‘It isa Vanity for any one to think of
meeting with univerfal Approbation,
The judicious Reader will obferve,
that I have endeavoured to be as in-
telligible as poffible, making ufe of
very few Words but what are gene-
rally underftood: I therefore flatter
myfelf, that my Readers among the
Ladies will be very numerous, many
of them having, in my Company, la-
mented the Want of fomething of
this Kind, to direct. their Obferva-
ay tions
~
ey ("xx fp
tions, and give them a general Idea of
the Contents of this Colleétion.
I cannot omit this Opportunity of
expreffing my Thankfulnefs for the
Candour with which the firft Edition
of this little Work has been received
by the Public ; but I muft own my-
felf in a particular Manner obliged to
the Officers of the Mufeum, who,
though they had it conftantly in their
Power to expofe any little Inaccura-
cies, with which a Work of this Na-
ture, publifhed by any body but them-
felves, muft abound, ftill refrained
from doing it : I have even been ins
formed, they allow. it fome De-
gree of Merit. The Reader will find
this Edition much enlarged and ime
proved in many Particulars, which
need not be pointed out, as they will
be
( xi.)
be very obvious on the firft Perufal,.
and it is printed in a Duodecimo, to
make it more conveniently portable
in the Pocket. That it may ftill ap-.
proach nearer to Perfection, the Au-
thor has been at the pains of forming
a complete Index to it, which mutt
unqueftionably be of great Ufe, as the
Reader will thereby be enabled to
find out in the Book any Title he
pleafes, and many curious Specimens,
of which he may chufe to fee fome
fhort- Account. Some of the Pur-
chafers of the firft Edition complained
it was too long to be read in the
Time allowed to view the whole
Moufeum ; fuch may be anfwered,
that it was not intended to be read
there ; the grand Difficulty. was to
keep it in a {mall Compafs, yet make
it in fome Meature fatisfatory. . The
Bienes | — moft
(i a 9
moft eligible Method is certainly to
read thefe Sheets with fome Atten-
tion at Home; by this Means a tole-
rable Idea may be formed of the Con-
tents of this valuable Colle@tion, and
the Reader is directed to apply his par-
ticular Attention to that Part of the
Mufeum that fuits his Tafte, viewing -
the reft only it acurfory Manner, by
- doing this he will have more Satisfac-
tion, and his Curiofity. will be much
more gratified, than if he wanders
from Object to Object, without fuffer=
ing any Thing to claim his immediate
Notice:
“Some of my Readers may be igno- —
rant of the Manner of applying to fee
the Mufeum; for their Information I
fhall add; that fifteen Perfons are al-
lowed to view it In one Company 5
; the —
( xxiii )
the Time allotted is two Hours ; and
when any Number not exceeding fifteen
are inclined to fee it, they muft fend
a Lift of their Chriftian and Sirnames,
Additions, and Places of Abode, to
the Porter’s Lodge, in order to their
being entered in the Book; in a few
Days the refpective Tickets will be
made out, fpecifying the Day and
Hour in-which they are to come,
which, on being fent for,.are delivered,
If by any Accident fome of the Parties
are prevented from coming, it is pro-
per they fend their Ticket back to i
the Lodge, as no body can be admitted
with it but themfelves. It is to be
remarked, that the fewer Names there
are in a Lift, the fooner they are likely ©
to be admitted to fee it.
| |
: ; /
| : oh Mies
|
ee
fy Be
a
THE
GENERAL CONTENTS, &.
7 Se Cll OnN TF
Cre SCIOUS of the Uprightnefs
of my Intentions, meaning only to
oblige the Public, I fhall attempt
to conduct the curious Obferver through
the feveral Departments of the Britif,
Mufeum, which are three in Number;
the Department of Manufcripts, Medals,
and Coins; that of Natural and Artificial
Productions ; and the Department of
‘ printed Books; befides many Articles in
the Hall, in the firft Room above Stairs,
and other Places, which are not compre-
_hended in any particular Department.
It is not neceffary, in this {mall Work,
to fay much of Montague-Houfe, inwhich |
Be B | this
sae
this choice and valuable Collection is de-
polited; it was well known before the
Death of the late Noble Owner of it,
and is fit for the Purpofe for which it is
made ufe of: I fhall therefore omit any
particular Defcription, and content myfelf
with only taking a flight Notice of the
Frefco Paintings in their proper Places.
To begin my Remarks with the Con-
tents of the Hall, I fhall, in Honour of
ourown Iflands, firft take Notice of feven
Blocks of very hard Marble of an hexan-
cular Form: They were brought from
an amazing Production of Nature, as
moft Antiquaries are of opinion, though
ethers call it a’! Work of Art, near Coleraine
in Ireland, where there are many Thoufands
of fuch Pillars, angular and contiguous, |
but not joined. The common People of
the Country call them the Giants Caufe-
_ way, from an old Tradition that they
were placed in that Order by the ancient
Inhabitants of the Ifland, who were of a
gigantic Stature. They project a great -
Way
b3 4
Way into the Sea, and the Stones are of |
the Nature of thofe called Bafaltes or Ba-
_ fanus.- It may be concluded that the
Giants Caufeway is entirely the Work of
Nature, as many fuch Pillars or Columns
were found by the Ancients in £¢hiopia,
of the fame angular Form as thofe in Jre- ©
land, and by them called Bafaltes ; they
met with it in Fragments of Columns in
the River Zmolus, and fome other Places,
when they gave it the Name of Lapis
Lydius, not conceiving it to be the fame
as the Bafaltes found in Pillars. We have
it frequently in Spain, Germany, Ruffa,
and Denmark, and about Drefdex is much
of it in fine Columns. Wherever it is
found, on being analyfed by Acids, ‘it
‘proves to be compofed of an Admixture
of Cryftal, Spar, and Earth. It is now |
ufed for trying Gold, &c. and is called
the Touch-ftone. The Church of Bal/y-
-wellan, in the Neighbourhood of Coleraine,
is built of this Kind of Marble, found in
_ the adjacent Hills. S :
B 2 The
‘er oe
The Romans, as they excelled all other
Nations in the Magnificence of their pub-
lic Buildings, fo did they likewife in the
Roads they from time to time made,
which were for the moft part paved very
regularly with fquare Stones, and often
extended for a great Number of Miles.
We have the Remains of feveral in Eng-
land, where they are called Streets, as
Ickenild-ftreet, Ermin-ftreet, Watlin-ftreet,
and others. They are in many Places
vifible, and appear like a Caufeway.
There is in this Hall to be feen a Stone
that was brought from the (Via Appia)
Appian Road, which led from Rome to
Brundufium. Appius had the Honour of
-making it for the Ufe of the People of
Rome. %
You alfo fee here two Fragments of
Granite Columns, (a hard kind of Marble
which does not take a good Polifh,;
many other Stones have the fame Quality)
fome curious Pebbles, and two antique
_ Heads ~
Ee 7
‘Heads called Termini, being ufed by the
Romans as Landmarks.
A large Piece of ferpentine Marble is
next to be noticed: It was called Opdites,
from its Refemblance to a Serpent’s Skin.
This Specimen has a dufky-brown Ground
ftreaked with green and pale yellow. This
is a hard kind of Marble, of an even
Structure, and'‘takes a fine Polifh. There
are feveral Species of the Ophites; the
Ancients had the black and the white
_ Opbites diftinguifhed by the different Co-
lour of their Spots, whofe Ground was
green, and the grey Ophites diftinguifhed
by its Ground Colour, which was pale-
grey. We have the ereyifh-brown Opdites
with green Spots, fometimes faid to be
found in Exgland, and the pale-grey Ophi-
tes with green Spots and Veins. The
Ophites has been celebrated for its Virtues _
againft venomous Bites, and is at this
Time worn in fome Parts of the World
asan Amulet. It is ranked among the
Jafpers. 3
¢ BL B 3 The
ee i
_ The Country round Mount Vefuvius
abounds with a kind of Stone, which in
its Eruptions iffues from it in great Abun-
dance in Form of a burning Rivulet, de-
itroying every Thing in its Way: When
the Eruption ceafes, this Subftance as it:
_ cools hardens, and is called Lava: It is
a very hard Stone, takes a fine Polifh, and
is fit for many Ufes, being frequently
manufactured into Boxes, Tables, &c.
Ic is fo plentiful, that in Naples the Inha-
bitants very commonly make ufe of it for
paving the Streets. There is a fine large
cubic Piece of this Lava preferved in the
Hall. :
In another Part is a painted genealogi-
cal Tree of a Noble Venetian Family; and,
befides all I have mentioned, there are
a great Number of Epitaphs and Infcrip-
tions (on the original Stones, by Accident
found) in Latin, Greek, and other. Lan-
_ guages. |
There is a fine Skeleton of a Unicorn
Fith; this is a large Fifth of the Whale
Kind >
Ee i
Kind; fome of the Horns of this Fith are
from ten to fifteen Feet in Length, are
all white, and furrowed with a fpiral Line.
Thefe Horns are commonly found in the
Danifh and neighbouring Seas, -infomuch
that there was a magnificent Throne built
of them in that Kingdom.
- We mutt take Notice in this Place a
the Head of a very particular Kind of
Buffalo; it is covered with long Wool, in-
ftead of Hair; the Beaft is a Native of
Newfoundland, and has its Body in the
fame Manner covered with long Wool,
reaching almoft to its Feet, infomuch that
when alive, it refembles a moving Bundle
of Wool, loofely tyed together. ;
The Staircafe and fome of the Cielings
are ornamented with good Frefco Paint-
ings, of which I fhall enter into no long
Defcription. On the Side of the Stair-
cafe, Cefar and his military Retinue are
feen, with the Chiefs of the Provinces he
had in ‘ae fubdued attending on. him,
nH Big | and
the, Be §
and others on their Knees, imploring his
Prote€tion or Affiftance.
In a Compartment are the Bacchanalia,
or Feafts and Sacrifices of Bacchus.
In another the Rivers Nile and Tiber are
reprefented by gigantic Figures emble-
matically ornamented: And there are
Views of beautiful Landfcapes at a Dif-
tance, and feveral fine Pieces of vuiag
tecture. |
On the Ceiling the Story of Phaeton
reprefents itfelf: The Gods are affembled,
and the Youth appears afking Phebus to
permit him to drive his Chariot for a Day ;
he confents, and in another Part is feen
conduéting him to’the Chariot: Diana is
near them, and Juno is attended by Tris.
Farther on, Phaeton, with all the Ar-
dour of Youth, is driving the Sun’s Cha-
riot, accompanied by the Hours in the
Form of Women. °Time is reprefented
by Saturn, with a Scythe and an Hour-
Glafs ; and Eternity by a Woman holding -
a Serpent, with the Tail in its Mouth,
Cybele,
Pe: J
Cybele, or the Goddefs of the Earth, ap-
pears alfo, with all her proper Symbols
and Ornaments. 7
As you go up Stairs, the Bufto of Sir
Hans Sloane, on a Pedetftal, prefents itfelf
immediately to your View.
In the firft Room, the Story of Phaeton
is compleated on the Dome. The Gods
are affembled, and whilft Fupiter is cafting
his Thunderbolts at Phaeton falling from
the Chariot, you fee Saturn, Apollo, Mars,
Neptune, Funo, Diana, Venus, Cupid, Mer-
cury, Muinerva, and Bacchus, in various
Attitudes, and agitated by different Paf-
fions, as they were feverally interefted in
the great Event. ©
The Hiftories are faid to be painted by
La Foffe ; ; the Flowers, and fome of the
ornamental Parts, by Battiffe; and the
ArchiteCture and Landfcapes by Rouffecu,
whofe Portrait is feen in this Room.
- Icannot take a better Opportunity to
mention, that there are many Portraits of
illuftrious Perfonages, hung up in the
re Ds feveral
[ to ]
feveral Departments of this Mufeum; they
are all Prefents, and continually increafing
in Number: It will not be improper to
give the Reader the Names of the chief
of them in this Place, that my future
Remarks may not be interrupted. They
are as follows:
Edward the Third.
Henry the Fifth.
Henry the Sixth.
Henry the Eighth.
Charles the Firft.
Charles the Second.
William the Third.
George the Firft.
Queen Elizabeth.
Mary Queen of Scots.
— Queen Henrietta Maria.
Peter the Great, Czar of Mu/covy.
Cofmo de Medicis, and Bartolo Concint.
Oliver Cromwell.
The Countefs of Richmond.
The Duke of Marlborough.
“The Duke of Monmouth.
| Robert
a
—s
i ii” ee
tas. .
Robert Ear] of Salifbury.
Lord Treafurer Burghley.
Archbifhop Ujher.
Dr. Turner, Bifhop of Ely.
Cardinal Sforza.
Mr. Locke.
Dr. Wallis.
Richard Baxter.
Sir Robert Cotten.
Sir ¥obn Cotton.
Mr. Speed.
Camden..
Judge Dodderidge.
Sir William Dugdale.
ir Anthony More.
| Sir Henry Vane.
Sir Henry Spelman.
Ben. Fobnfon.
- Shakefpeare. |
Lord Chancellor Bacon,
~ Ludowick Muggleton.
‘Sir Francis Draper.
Dr. Fobn Ward.
Anna Maria Shurman.
Captain Willis.
: B 6 Dampier.
Dampier.
—s~ Voltaire.
Andreas Vaffalius.
Ulyffes Aldrovandus.
There are Bufts of
Homer.
Sir Thomas More.
Dr. Samuel Clarke.
This Room is fet apart for the imme-
diate Reception of Prefents, and contains
feveral very curious Articles, given by
Colonel Lethullier, his Brothers, and other
Benefactors. |
I fhall firft mention an Egyptian Mum-
my, which is depofited in a Glafs Cafe,
in one Corner of the Room, as its Calin
is in the other.
The Egyptians believed the Exiftence-
of the human Soul after its quitting the
Body; which may fairly be concluded
from its being the general received Opi-
nion among them, that the Spirit which
animated the Body whilft alive, continually
hovered around it after the Difynion ;
_ Shey
eins reel Se afk
Ee]
they thought it affected by the Injuries
the inanimate Corpfe might receive, or by
its Corruption; it was therefore with the
greateft Care they endeavoured to preferve
the material Man from Decay, that the
immaterial Soul, which had fo long been
its Companion, might thereby be infpired
with a kind of pleafing Idea of its foreier
Union.
To accomplifh this End, they had a
Set of Men in their Nation, whofe peculiar
Bufinefs it was to embalm the Dead ;
which was performed three feveral Ways :
The firft was for the common People, and
confifted only of falting the vifcerated
Body after a particular Manner, having
firft cleanfed it from all Impurities, drying
it either by a natural or artificial Heat,
and finally placing it in a plain Sycamore
Coffin. It is to be noted, that the Coffins
they ufed on thefe Occafions were never
‘made of any other Wood, that being
_efteeméd moft durable and leaft fubject
ad wDecey but it was a Species of Syca-
more
C 4 ]
more differing from any we have growing
in Europe.
The next Method, watch was for fill
of a higher Rank, was embalming them
with a kind of refinous or bitumenous
Subftance, properly mixed with cheap
and ordinary Drugs. Some fay that on
this Occafion they ufed much of the Af
phaltus, or Jews Pitch, a bitumenous or
refinous Subftance which is found fwim-
ming on the Surface of the Dead Sea in
Fudea. ‘Lhefe were put in a better kind
of Sycamore Coffins, painted with various
Colours; and fome of them ornamented
with a Number of curious Hieroglyphics,
on which their Superftition prompted them
to have great Reliance, imagining that _
they helped to preferve the Body from
Corruption. The Mummy here eerie 7
ed is of this kind.
The laft and moft expenfive Method
by which the Egyptians preferved the dead
Bodies of their Friends from Decay, was
‘referved for thofe of a Adie eminent Sta-
Orr tion.
aL m0
tion. ‘They too were depofited in Coffins
ot Sycamore Wood, but ornamented
with Gold, and Hieroglyphics of the
moft noble kind.
The moft probable Account of this laft
Method that can be collected from the
Writers who have treated of the Subjeé&,
is, that when the Soul was departed, the
Brains were firft extracted, perhaps thro’
the Noftrils, and the Corpfe vifcerated in
a very curious Manner, without injuring
the outward Surface of the Body, which
was thoroughly well cleanfed. They next
proceeded to fill the Cavities with bitu-
menous and aromatic Subftances properly
prepared and mixed: On this Occafion
particularly the moft precious and coftly
Gums, Balfams and Spices, were ufed;
a Liquid having been in the mean time
prepared, in which a great Quantity of
the above Subftances had been diffolved,
‘they next boiled the Body therein, that
the moft remote part of every Mufcle
: might be ftrongly impregnated with the —
| embalming
236 7
embalming Quality. Nothing now. re-
mained but to dry the Body, (the Method
ef doing which is not with Certainty
known) and wrap it round with Bandages
of Linen. Cloth, and the Bark Papyrus,
filling up the hollow Parts, and fometimes |
the Cavity of the Belly, with fmall earthen
Ficures, in the Form of Mummies, but
with the Head of Ofris or Jfs, and im-
prefied with various Hieroglyphics, or
having on them the Figures of Beetles,
which they fuperftitioufly thought were
Protectors of the Dead (Prophylaferia).
‘Having thus finifhed their Work, they
depofited it in the Coffin, which had be-
‘fore been excavated in the Ferm of the
" ‘Mummy to receive it.
The Face of the Mummy here pre- —
ferved is covered with a gilded Mafk;
near its Feet is a Skull, and feveral Bones,
viz. Feet and Hands, taken from a bro-
-ken Mummy, which fhews the State in }
which thefe embalmed Bodies are pre-
ferved from Decay. Over its Head are }
fome }
Le ] .
fome of thofe {mall earthen Idols, which
are already mentioned to be put by the
Embalmers into the Cavities of the Bo-
dy : Great Numbers of them are dug out
of the Ground on the Eaft Side of the
River Nile, near Cairo in Egypt, being the
Spot where the Mummies were depofited.
_ On the Breaft of the Coffin (it being of
the Shape of a Mummy) is a Figure re-
prefenting the Goddefs J/s, the Flowers
of the Water-lilly (Lotus) round its Neck ;
and over the whole Forefide is a very
ereat Variety of Hieroglyphics, Figures
rudely defigned, and Egyptian Characters,
only underftood by their Priefts and learn-
ed Men, but which the Antiquaries of thefe
later Times can no ways explain. On the
Back of the Coffin, (which may be turned
at Pleafure) is another Figure.of [/s, hav-
ing an Ibis on her head. The Ibis was a
Bird of Prey, held in great Veneration by
the Egyptians, becaufe it deftroyed the
Vermin that were yearly produced by the
ting Allg of the Nile: When it died,
they
»
pa F
they depofited it in an Urn, and cemented
a: Cover-on it. Over the Coffin is a fquare
Cafe, in which they placed fome Utenfils '
belonging to the Deceafed, and depofited
it near the Body ; as alfo two Models of
a Mummy, one of which they put near
the Coffin at the Head, the other at the
Feet. |
__ In Poland are at this Time found natu-
ral Mummies, preferved without the Af-
fiftance of Art. They are met with in Ca-
verns, are of a blackifh Colour, with the
Flefh and Skin fhrunk almoft clofe to the
Bones: It was, fome Centuries ago, com-
mon in the Wars, for the weaker Party,
to retire into fuch Caves, where they were _
often fuffocated by the Enemy, and are
now found in the ftate abovementioned.
Human Bodies, refembling thefe laft, are
faid to be often met with in the Deferts of
Arabia.
An Urn of the Ibis, and feveral Eeyp-
tian Idols in Bronze, are over the Mum-
my: I fhall firft mention Ofris. It is the
| Figure
Ese 1
_ Figure of a Man, the Body in the Shape
of a Mummy, with a three-corner’d Cap
on its Head, a Whip in one Hand, and a
2 te
ene
Lituus (a Staff not unlike a Crozier) in
the other. Js is figured by a Woman,
with the Infant Orws in her Lap: They
reprefent her varioufly, but for the moft
_ part with a large Veil on her Head.
Orus, or Harpocrates, their Son, is the Fi-
_ gure of a young Man, holding the Fore-
finger of his Left Hand on his Lips, to
enforce Silence as the greateft Mark of
_ Prudence, and a peyecconial Awe for the
: Divinity.
Ofris, who was one of the Grft Kings of
) Egypt, and Ifs, his Wife, by their fupe-
ne omy
rior Talents, as well by Example as Pre-
cept, civilized Egypt, and all the neigh-
_ bouring Nations. Their Fame was fpread
far and near, infomuch that when they
died, Gratitude, joined to the Ignorance
of the Times, prompted their Subjects to
pay them Divine Honours, and worfhip
them as Deities, and their fupreme Bene-
factors ;
, we
factors; imagining that they, who in
Knowledge and Goodnefs fo much fur-
pafied the reft of Mankind, could not
poffibly be of the fame Nature with them.
Many have been the Suggeftions with
refpect to the Symbols they bear, but they
are all arbitrary, and may be varioufly in-
terpreted.
Oftris, Ifs, and Orus, or Harpocrates,
held the firft Rank among the Gods of
the Egyptians, but Vis was in the ereateft
"Efteem ; for the Worfhip they paid her
was much more frequent, and her Featts
more folemn than thofe of the others.
The Greeks and Romans, it is imagined,
facrificed to the fame Gods, under diffe-
rent Names.
' The Egyptians had the greateft cial
ration imaginable for Cats, infomuch that
they inflicted moft fevere Punifhments on
thofe who were unfortunate enough to
kill one of them, whether on Purpofe, or
by Accident. They often reprefented
| Ailurus,
[ 2 ]
Ailurus, one of their Gods, under the Fi-
eure of a Cat.
In this Room are. alfo fome natural
Produétions ; as feveral large Corals, a
Subftance produced in the Sea, but in
what Manner is not yet determined by
the Naturalifts. It was long thought to
be a Kind of Vegetable, but is now ge-
nerally conjectured to be the Cells of fome
| Sea Infects.
Keratophyta, a Species of Coral: The
_ Specimen here preferved is vulearly called
a Sea Fan.
_ Sertularia, another Species: This is ~
commonly called a Sea Feather.
_ Madrepora, a kind of Coral, with {mall
I ftellated or radiated Perforations.
is Millepora, the fame, with round Per-
forations. _ |
In one of the Repofitories is a curious
Jarge Brainftone, which is of the Nature .
of Coral, and fuppofed to be the Neft of
the Infeéts above-mentioned. It is not
heceffary to isi more of the Corals in this
- Place,
L224
Place, as there will be occafion to men-
tion them again, when we come to the
Departments. {
There is a very fine Wafp’s Neft pre-
ferved in one of the Cabinets, well worth |
obferving with Attention, in By a motft -f
curious Structure.
In Spirits you fee a Vultur’s Head, }
fome Serpents, Birds, Spiders, Lizards, |
and other Articles ; but what muft attract |
particular Notice, is a fine young Fla- |
“mingo ftuffed. This Bird is very fre-
quent in the Weft Indies, and has a re-
“markable long Neck and Legs, which |.
enables it to reach its Prey, which is Fith,
in deep Water. It has webbed Feet, }
the Beak is broad, the upper Chap bent,
depreffed, and dentated, the lower much ]
‘thicker and firmer; its Neck and Body 4}:
are white, the fight Feathers of the Wing |:
black, the fhorter Feathers of a fine |
bright red. ‘This Bird is fometimes feen |
‘in Europe, and was well known to the }
Ancients, among whom the nice Eaters |
accounted f
E43 3
accounted its Tongue a very great Deli-
cacy. It is of a gregarious Nature, and
_ generally appears in large Numbers ; they
range themiclves fometimes on the Sea
Shore in fuch ‘regular Order, as to have,
at a Diftance, a great Refemblance to a
Brick Wall. I muft not omit mentioning
in this Place a fine Jay, brought from the
Eajft Indies. After having pointed out to
| my Reader the Back-bone of an Elephant
petrified, I fhall quit this, and lead him
to. the next Room. |
- The Saloon is finely ornamented with
Frefco Paintings, confifting of Architec-
ture, Stair-cafes, Flowers, Statues, and
ether Things properly arranged. ‘i
- The Dome is fupported by feveral At-
i lantes, and on it is reprefented a Council
of the Heathen Gods : Minerva appears
moft confpicuous ; the others, with their
Attendants, feem varioufly employed.
' In the different Compartments,
gee Giants are turned out of Heaven.
Mercury
f 24 ] |
Mercury is feen ready to receive his
Orders, as Meffenger of the Gods. :
In another appears Ceres and Neptune,
Pan and Amphitrite. 5]
Phaeton is reprefented driving theCha-
riot of Phebus, preceded by Aurora, and
properly attended by the Hours.
In this Room, on a Table, is a fine
Model of Laocoon and his two Sons, en- |
circled with Serpents, as defcribed by Vir- — |
gil: It is an excellent Copy of a favourite
Piece of Sculpture at Belvidere in Rome. -
This Saloon is appropriated for the Re-
ception of Company that happen to come
before the Hour mentioned in their
‘Tickets ; who, after having viewed the
Articles contained in the Hall, and firft
Room already mentioned, and the Paint- | .
ings, cannot fpend their Time difagree- | ‘
ably here ; as from the Windows you —
have not only an agreeable View of the |
Gardens belonging to the Houfe, which |
are far from being inelegant, but a de- | _
lightful Profpect of the Hills and high | ~
Grounds !
|
:
t
:
|
Bae. |
Grounds of Hampftead, Highgate, and the
adjacent Places.
We now enter upon the Departments ;
the firft of which confifts of a Colleétion
of Manufcripts, Medals, and Coins.
The firft Room contains two feveral
Collections of Manufcripts.
BipLioTHECA Recia MSS.
_ Thefe Manufcripts are in Number up-
wards of two .thoufand Volumes, -and
were, till lately, kept in the King’s Li
brary, being aPart of the Prefent his late
Majefty made to the Mufeum.
’ There-are in this Collection fome-very
ancient Copies of the holy Scriptures, and —
Txanflations of them into many different
oriental and. other Languages. Thefe
are fcarce, and valuable, confequently
well worthy the Attention of the learned
_Antiquary.
Some old and curious Manufcripts,
treating on the Subject ef Religion, and
Cle of
[ 26 ]
of the different Confeffions of F aith, in
various Languages, claim our Notice.
{ muft next juft mention fome large —
Volumes of Hiftory, finely wrote, and —
ornamented in a moft elegant Manner
with Paintings, as was the Cuftom before
Printing was invented.
There are alfo a great Number of Ma-
nufcripts relating to the Hiftory and Go-
vernment of the Church, and other cu-
rious Subjects; but it is unneceffary to
be more particular, as a Catalogue of
them was publifhed in 1734, by Cajley.
BIBLIOTHECA CoTTroniana MSS. —
The Cottonian Collection of M anufcripts —
is alfo contained in this Room; it is an- —
cient and noble, confifting of original
Charters, Deeds, and Evidences of Faéts,
and fome Accounts of remarkable Tranf- ]
- ations previous to the fettling of our pre- —
fent Civil Rights, and long before the
Reformation of ca |
LF
There are many ancient Copies of feve-
ral Parts of the Bible, and Originals of
fome Works that were formerly held in
great Efteem among the Ecclefiattics.
But what is more particularly to be ad-
mired, is an original of that great Bul-
wark of our Liberties, the Magna Charta;
and if fo, how can we fufficiently lament
its having been greatly injured by an ac-
cidental Fire that damaged the whole
Colleétion. Asa Catalogue has alfo been
~publifhed of thefe Manufcripts, I need
not any longer detain my Reader in this
“Room, but proceed to the next, which
contains,
Bisriotneca Harzietrana MSS.
‘Thefe are a Part of the Harleian Manu-
feripts, which are a Collection on which
we cannot eafily fet too high a Value.
The Room we are now treating of, con-
tains many curious Copies of the Bible,
and the different Parts of it, in a Variccy
of Languages. | w.
% | C2 2. Some
pee 4
Some original Manufcripts, treating ot
Divinity and Ecclefiaftical Matters, fuch
as Paraphrafes, Homilies, Commentaries,
Rituals, €@c. written at different Periods
of Time, and defcribing the feveral Seéts
of Chriftianity difperfed in all Parts of the
World where it has been eftablifhed.
Alcorans, and other Turki/h Books, with
fome hiftorical Accounts of the Rife of —
Mahometanifm. :
, AThorab, the five Books of Mo/es, finely
wrote in Hebrew on a Vellum Roll, fuch
as the ‘ews ufed to have in every Syna-
gogue, when it was found very correct.
It was not ufual for them to produce it
but on certain folemn Occafions.
In this Room is a Series of Englifh 7!
Medals, beginning with Wiliam Rufus,
and reaching down to the prefent Times.
BrprroTHeca Hartrerana. IL §
This Room contains another Part of ©
the Harleian Manufcripts, treating chiefly —
of re hiftorical, and Shillogs a
cal og)’
fe 3
eal Subjects, in a Variety of Languages,
and by many different Authors. The
Public has been sratified with a Catalogue
of this Collection, to which, without en-
_ larging any more on the Subject, I refer
them, if they fhould be curious to know
. the particular Contents,
Harpterana. IIL
Cuarta#& & Rorvtt,
This fourth Room of the Department
_ contains the Harleian Collection of origi-
nal (or very ancient and authentic Copies
of) Charters, Acts of Parliament, Deeds,
Warrants, Rolls, and other Inftruments
in Writing, relative to a great Variety of
public Tranfaétions at home and abroad.
| Thefe are efteemed very valuable, and
are carefully depofited in Cabinets, and
locked up; but there is a large Manu-
feript Catalogue referring the Curious to
the Particulars.
_In this Room is a Series of French
— beginning with thofe of Phara-
A 3 | mond.
———
Sa
mond. \t is to be noted, that the Medals _ ‘
may, by turning a Button, be viewed both ;
in Front and Reverfe. i
In the fifth Room is carefully preferved —
in feveral {mall Cabinets, Sir Hans Sloane’s |
Collection of Medals. Their Number, —
as I have been credibly informed, is up-
wards of twenty thoufand, but, as they
"are not yet properly arranged, the Public
is not gratified with the Sight of them.
" Pcannot take a better Opportunity”of —
informing the unlearned Reader, that
Medals and Coins are generally fmall —
round Pieces of fome of the more valuable
Kind of Metals: On one Side is, for the —
moft Part, the Head of an Emperor, ©
‘King, or other great Man, whofe Memory
Is meant to be perpetuated; round the ©
- Rim is a Legend giving the Name of the ;
Hero, and fometimes on the fame Side is —
a Motto (exergum) added: On the Reverfe “]
is generally the Reprefentation or a Sym- ‘
bol of fome remarkable Fa& or Quality, f
or elie it has other Infcriptions on it. _ ;
~
A
: |
ae ae
A Medal to be valuable fhould be
| {earce; fhould point out fome extraordi-
nary Event; or have a great Singularity
in the Reverfe; but above all, it muft be
| an Original, which very often is not the
Cafe with fome that are in high Eftima-
tion. Medals and Coins are of two Kinds,
ancient and modern: The ancient Medals
are again fubdivided, into thofe of the
higher and thofe of the lower Antiquity :
The ancient of the higher Antiquity com-
prehend all thofe that were ftruck before
the Beginning of the fourth Century;
thofe of the lower Antiquity are what
were ftruck from that Period of Time to
the Beginning of the tenth Century. ~ All
that have been ftruck fince are efteemed
modern. | .
_. Every Colleétor of Medals is ambitious
to get thofe that are moft valuable, fcarce,
, and rareft to be met with; confequently
the Punic, Hebrew, Gothic, and Arabic, are
_univerfally fought, very few of them being
preferved. |
: a eg The
p23
The Greck Medals are the moft ancient,
as well as the moft beautiful, the Figures 7
of them being remarkably neat, and con- 7
ftantly admired, far exceeding in Work-
manfhip any that are to be met with. |
Thofe of Rome are of three Periods; |
firft, what were ftruck inthe Time the
City was governed by Confuls, therefore —
called Confular; next, the Imperial, or ||
| thofe ftruck after Julius Cefar, during the ©
Reigns of the feveral Emperors that fuc- —
—éeeded him; and laftly, the Pontifical; —
which have been in late Times ftruck by |
Order of the Popes. Thefe laft in the |
firft Ages were of little Value. ee
Medallions, called by the Romans Miffi- |
lia, partake of the Nature of Medals, —
except that they are larger and thicker. |
They were generally intended either to ]
afcertain the /Era of fome memorable
Event, or to be given, as a Token of |}
Honour, to fome Perfon, who had —e i t
well of the Public. : ‘:
oe: 1
BisprioTHeca Stoaniana MSS,
The fixth Room contains Sir Hans
Sloane's Manufcripts. They are a valua-
ble Colle€tion, though not fo ancient as
thofe I have already mentioned. Their
Subjects are comprehenfive, and confe-
quently may be efteemed of general Ufe.
There are many original Treatifes on Phi-
lofophy, Phyfic, Natural Hiftory, and, in
fine, almoft the whole Circle of Sciences.
The curious Reader may here find va-
rious and good Accounts of the Manners,
Cuftoms, Languages, Civil Government,
Trade, Difeafes, natural Productions, An-
tiquities, &c. &Sc. of many different Na-
‘tions. Great Numbers of them are wrote
in a very mafterly Manner, therefore, as
they were ‘never printed, it would be a
very meritorious Work, fhould fome Per-
fon, properly qualified, felect thofe that
are moft worthy of Notice, and publifh
them, for the Satisfaction or the learned —
‘World.
ie Cg In
[ 34. | ;
In this Room is to be feen a Table of ©
the Pontifical Medals, beginning with
Martin the Fifth, (who was the firft of —
the Popes that ftruck them good) and —
carried on in achronological Series to the
prefent Times. |
SEC T'l ON TE
'-AVING accompanied my Reader,
I hope in fome Sort to his Satis- —
faction, through the firft Department, and. 5
given a fhort Account of the Contents of —
the feveral Rooms it confifts of, I fhall Fi
-now enter upon the fecond in Courfe, —
that is, the Department of natural and —
artificial Productions, in which is to be ©
_ feen, perhaps, the largeft and moft curious —
Collection the World has to boaft of ; a
at leaft, it may be faid, that never wasa
Mufeum of fuch Confequence formed by ')
any Perfon under the Degree of a Sove- }
reign Prince before.’ There is fcarcely a
Country, |
“EF 35.)
Country, though ever fo diftant, that has
not greatly contributed to enrich this De-
partment. We may here fee the Progrefs
of Art in the different Ages of the World,
exemplified in a Variety of Utenfils
each Nation in each Century has pro-
duced. Natural Hiftory may in. this
Place be ftudied from Nature herfelf, fo
creat is the Variety here contained of the
moft curious Productions of the Earth,
Air, and Water. ;
_« In going through the almoft. infinite
Number of Curiofities which the Depart-
- ment contains, I fhall, for the greater Eafe
of my Readers, obferve a Method fome-
what regular; firft giving the Infcriptions
on the feveral Repofitories, and afterwards
explaining. the Nature of the principal
Contents of them. So copious is the Sub-
| jet, that my chief Endeavour muft be, to
give fuch an Account, as may be {fatis-
factory, and anfwer the End propofed,
without exceeding the Bounds I have fet
myfelf. It is fome Degree of Merit to
“CLG “oo Seat
[ 36 ]
mean well: I fhall, therefore, without-—
farther Apology, proceed.
COLLECTIO SLOANIANA.
| There are many Pieces of Antiquity in
this Room, confifting of a great Number
of Urns, Veffels, ec. ufed of old by dif-
ferent Nations, which after having been
long buried in the Ruins of the Temples,
and other public and private Buildings,
and for many Ages, when by Accident _
found, efteemed of no Worth, are now
preferved with the utmoft Care in the
feveral Mufeums, as Objeéts of Value,
and worthy the ereateft Attention of the
Learned. Many dark \Paffages in the
ancient Hiftorians aré explained by them,
‘and we are by their Means made ac-
quainted with fome important Matters
relative to the Hiftories of the refpective
Nations where they were ufed, which their
Writers have omitted to mention. Many
Things deemed of {mall Value by a vulgar
Obferver, when viewed by the Learned,
are
2 ee. ma
até found to be of abundant Ufe to
Science. It is on this Account the
World cannot boaft of fo many Antiqui-
ties it could otherwife have done; for
though Time is a great Deftroyer of hu-
man Produétions, the Iron Hand of Io.
‘norance and Superftition has often done
Learning more real Injury in one Year,
than Time in many Centuries. What
Leneths will not Ignorance run, when
animated by a falfe Zeal ?
~The Collection m this Room does. not
entirely confift of Pieces of Antiquity ;
we find many modern Articles brought
from diftant Nations, particularly from
the feveral Parts of the new World. of
America, which ferve to difcover the In-
duftry, Genius, and Manners of the In-
habitants. Happy for them were they
now content with the little that once-fatis-
fied them; but the polite Exropeans, fince
the Difcovery of thofe Parts, have, by
damn a eV anit, deprived them of
2 _ their
[ 38 J
their Eafe, convincing them they have
many Things to with for.
ANTLQUITATES., HGyPTiaca., @
- In the Repofitories bearing this Title,
are a great Number of Egyptian Antiqui-
ties; and firft feveral Bronze Figures,. |
fome reprefenting Js with the Infant |
_ Orus on her Lap; in others fhe is ftanding |
with a Variety of Symbols. For a farther
Account of this Goddefs, the Reader is
teferred back to Page 19. where fhe is
treated of pretty much at large.
Here are alfo. fome Figures of Ofris, a
reprefented by a Man with a large Beard.
See what is faid of him, Page: 18, and. |
Harpocrates. aa
Fupiter Serapis: A Figure of an old. |
bearded Man, with a Kind of Bafket
(Modis) over his Head. a p
Siftrum: A mufical Inftrument of Me-_ ir
tal, in Form of a Racket, traverfed by feve-_ | |
ral moveable Bars; it was conftantly nels
e
Si.
[ 39 1 | —
in Egypt by the Priefts of J/s in their re-
ligious Ceremonies and Sacrifices.
An Urn, with a Cover cemented to it,
containing an Ibis; its Form ‘is that of an
inverted Cone. See Page 19.
A Baffo Relievo in Marble, reprefenting
an Idol of Mendes in Egypt, where they
formerly worfhipped a Goat; from whence
it is fuppofed the Greeks borrowed their
God Pan.
Canopus. An Alabafter Urn, a3 a Co-
ver made in Form of a Hawk’s Head,
-and marked with feveral Hieroglyphics,
When the Canopus was filled with the
Water of the Nile, it. was held facred,
and kept with great Veneration and Care,
being worfhipped as a God. The Cano-_
pus was not always made in the fame
Form, being fometimes like the Body of
-aMan, on the Back of a Griffin, or other
mixed Monfter.
_ We find here a great Number and Va-
riety of fmall earthen Figures, fhaped
like : Mummies, with the Head of Tis, or
Ofris,
POP
Ofris, fome adorned with Hieroglyphics,
others plain. They were efteemed to be
Guardians of the Mummies, and ; are more
particularly deferibed Page 19.
Several Buftos, and Groups of Figures
in earthen Ware, fuppofed to be the —
Houfhold Gods of the meaner Sort of |
People. d
We muft notice in this Place a Veffel ¥
of white porous Earth, which is faid to —
have a particular Quality; for if you fill |
it with Water, and lay Seeds of {mall Sal- _
let in the Furrows on the Outfide, they — |
. will grow, and be fit for Ufe in a few
Days. |
At the upper End of the Table are A
feveral more Figures in Metal of Ofris, a
fis, Harpocrates, Egyptian Priefts, &&c. |
Apis. An Egyptian God reprefented by. 4 |
the Figure of a Bull. The Egyptiansheld | |
in great Veneration a Bull of a certain | .
particular Colour, with a Knot under its
Tongue; he was kept and fed in a mag-
vificent Temple, and with great Cere- i
mony § -
eS ee
mony atterided by a feleét Number of
Prietts, exprefly devoted to his Service:
When the old one died,.it was ufual for
them to fubftitute another of the fame
Colour in his Place. Various have been
the Conjectures on the Veneration in
which the Egyptians held this Animal;
but it is needlefS at this Time to mention
them. |
_ Here are feveral {mall Amulets with
Loops to them, which in Egypr the blind
Superftition of the Inhabitants: prompted
them to wear about their Perfons, as
Charms, or Prefervatives againft bad For- —
tune, unforefeen Accidents, Sicknefs, &c.
They left them alfo with the Dead, as
Guardians of the Manes (Spirits); fome
of them are of Metal, others of vitrified
Earth, and in Figure refemble Js, with
the Head of a Bird, a Dog, or a Bull.
Some of the Specimens are fo fmail, that
they are fixed on little Cuthions, to pre-
vent — ame loft,
The
[ 42 ]
| The Head of Anubis, or Cynocephalus,
a Dog which in Egypt they worfhipped,
prompted thereto, as is fuppofed, on
Account of his having been a conftant
Attendant of the Goddefs J/s.
Figures of (Ailurus) a Cat, a Mon-
key, &%c. Scarabs, Beetles of various Sizes,
made of Marble, Agate, Cornelian, &c.
They were held facred in the Opinion of
the fuperftitious Egyptians, on fome par-
ticular Account; but why, it is at pre- |
fent very difficult to form any ge. |
Conjecture. a
- Periapta. Thefe are {mall oblong Pieces
of enamelled Earth, notched, as is in
general conjectured, to. mark the rifing
and falling of the Water of the Nile. The
beft Authors that have wrote on the Sub-
ject of the Egyptian Antiquities, call thefe a
Pieces of Earth Nilometri, or Nilofcopia. |
We find alfo a Cylinder, and fome |
Pebbles curioufly’ marked with Hiero-
glyphics and Figures; but their Ufe is
ig iA 4 not —
ca
“not eafily determined at this Diftance of
ene.
The next to be noticed are fome Pheni-
cian Seals, worth Attention on Account
of their Antiquity.
ANTrquiTaTeEs HeETRUSCA.
The four Repofitories under this Title,
contain Hetrufcan Antiquities. They were
a Nation that formerly flourifhed in that
Part of Italy, now called Tu/cany. It is
to be noted, they were the firft People
that cultivated the politer Arts in Europe, -
from whence they fpread even to Rome,
which acknowledged itfelf much indebted
to the Inhabitants of that Part of Italy, on
many Accounts. —
-. Firft to be remarked are fome Bishan
as a Figure of Mars, ‘the God of War;
a Deus Averruncus, the God who prefided
over the common Sewers; a Head of
Proferpine, 8c.
A great Number of Veffels of difevent
Forms, made of a Kind of fine pale red
Earth;
[ 44 J
Earth; fome of them plain, but elegantly
varnifhed ; others painted with Figures,
Letters, and various Ornaments, next at-.
tract our Attention. ‘They are of a bet-
ter Shape, and much handfomer than ei-
ther the Egyptian, or thofe firft made of
the Roman Terra Cotte, or Pot Earth, and
were greatly efteemed and valued by the
Romans, after they had fubdued the an-
cient Hetrufcans. Thefe Veflels confift of
Ampboras, or Vafes with two Handles,
and Covers to them very curioufly pamted
and ornamented. ‘The Roman Amphora
generally contained about feven Gallons
Englifh Wine Meafure, thefe -are not fo
large. The Ufe of them was to hold the
different Kinds of Wine, Oil, ce. When
full of Wine, the Romans ufed generally
to bury them in the Ground for fome —
Years, in order to give it a higher Fla-
vour; and they were very curious and
fuperftitious in their Manner of doing it.
We next come to fome Bottles of a
larger Size than the Amphoras, but for the —
fame Ute. : And
: L 4 J
And fome much fmaller, ufed for Li-
bations, or perhaps as Lacrymatories, to
receive the Tears of the Mourners at
Funerals.
Jars with triangular Mouths, intended
to pour Water on the Hands of the Priefts,
or-for Libations in their Sacrifices.
_ Many Pateras, Dithes, of various Shapes
and Sizes: Some of them have Pedeftals ;
they have Handles, which are either ho-
rizontal or vertical; and were uwied for
Perfumes, for bufning Incenfe, for keep-
ing Fire, or carrying it from Place to
| Place.
| .€ups for containing the great Variety
of precious Ointments that were formerly
: in-Ufe.
_ Some Pateras very large, and orna-
| _ mented with Figures and Hetrufean Let-
ters. :
| We mutt alfo take particular notice of
| fome Urns of plain Alabafter, and others
very large, but ornamented with the fame
i Kind of Figures and Infcriptions as the
large
ee oY
large Pateras juft above mentioned. The
Letters do not agree with any Alphabet _
now in Ufe, or known; for which Reafon |
our Antiquaries are at great Lofs to un- —
derftand the Purport and Meaning of |
them. A |
ANTIQUITATES ROMANAZA.
The next fix Partitions are filled with q
” Roman Antiquities, and confift of feveral |
ancient Figures, Buftos and Baffo Relie- |
vos of various Kinds, and other curious |
Articles. q
I fhall firft mention the Copy of an
antique Piece of Sculpture, made to per-
petuate the Memory of a Slave that dif
covered a dangerous Confpiracy again |
Rome, whilft grinding his Knife. ;
Some Wreftlers in Stucco, :
Lucina the Goddefs of Childbirth, /- |)
- culapius the God of Phyfic, fome Veftals
Lae.
lofopher, ‘f/wno, and others, fome of which
are not eafily diftinguifhed, and-the reft
it is not neceflary to particularize.
_ We muft obferve feveral Bronze Fi-
gures, as of Venus, Cupid, Hercules, Mars,
feveral Roman Soldiers, Dea Fafcinatrix
the Goddefs of Spells and Charms; Vef-
tals, Caftor, Priapus, Terminus the God
who prefided over Land-marks; ile abi
and others.
Ae Sin
_ In Bronze are alfo the Heads of Funo,
| Diane, Apollo, asia Minotaurus, Fau-
us, 8c. -
_- What come next in sale: are fome
| uncommon Mafks, various Votaries or
Oblations, Models of Circufes, the Places
_ where they exhibited their public Games,
and feveral Pieces of Stones, Bricks, and
earthern Pipes, dug out of the Ruins of
_ the ancient Roman Buildings, Aqueducts,
eee. By thefe we are in fome Sort made
_ acquainted with the Nature of thofe Ma-
| pals that ae caufe their Buildings to
laft
aL ee ay ae
jaft fo many Ages, fome of them remain-
ing tolerably perfect even to this Time.
In England, as well as in many other
Parts of Europe, there have been frequent-
ly found buried in the Earth, feveral Kinds
of Axes, Chiffels, Wedges both with and
without Loops to them, and Heads of
Spears, all made of Brafs. Itisfarfrom |
being determined by the Antiquaries of
tthe prefent Age, for what Ufe thefe feve-
ral Articles were originally intended ;
their Conjectures on the Subject are vari-
ous, fome imagining they were ufed for
killing. the Victums in their Sacrifices, |
others afferting they were merely orna-
mental, and not-a few at this time ima-
gine the Antients had a fecret Art of har-
dening Brafs, foas to make it proper for i
forming Edge- -tools, or Inftruments of
War; which Quality, fay they, the Brafs .
may have long fince loft by laying in the
Earth; .but after all, the moft probable —
Opinion is, that they were the Tops of
the Reman Littors Fafces. They are often —
called
49 ]
| call ed by the general Name of Ccties.
and many of them are here to be feen.
-/
SACRIFICING INSTRUMENTS,
Under this Head are a Variety of odd-
fancied Metal Lamps: Their Shape dif-
fers oreatly ; fome being like Animals,
| others fuch Monfters as have not their
Likenefs in Nature: But the Reader will
form a much better Idea of them by In-
_ fpection, than he pofiibly can by any De-
' feription. They were chiefly ufed in the
Temples. |
A‘acrificing Knife, Simpulums, Cha-
ices, Ladles, and other Inftruments of
Brafs, ufed by the Priefts in their Sacri-
- fices.
We now come to a great Number of
Fl Romen Pateras, Difhes, various in Form
| and Size, according to the Ufes for which
- they were intended; many of them were
| for receiving the Blood of the Victims in
D | to
Gee
to other Purpofes, but chiefly the Service
ef the Priefts in the Temples.
-LaACRYMATORIES.
Thefe were fmall Glafs or earthen Bot- —
tles, chiefly in the Form of Phials. At
the Roman Funerals, the Friends of the
Deceafed, or the (Przficz) Women hired
for that Purpofe, ufed to fill them with
their Tears, and depofite them very care- —
fully with the Afhes, in Teftimony of —
their fincere Sorrow; imagining the Manes —
of the Departed were thereby greatly com-
forted. Many Specimens of them are —
preferved in the Cabinets of the Curious, —
and here in particular. :
“What claim in the next Place our Re- |
gard, are a Number of earthen fepulchral
Lamps of various Forms, ufually met with ; |
in the old Monuments near the Urns, and —
in the Catacombs at Rome, in Naples, and j
Sicily.
Some have afferted, that thefe oo
have been found burning after being
buried’
‘a
j
ss
|
i
:
Pes |
buried for many Ages; but it cannot be
fuppofed they were really burning from
the Time they were there depofited tll
they were found, as it is well known Fire
is foon extinguifhed by the Want of Air,
and if it has Air, the Fuel that fupplies it
muft wafte and decreafe in Quantity, be
it of what Nature it will: The moft rea-
fonable Conjecture, therefore, is, that the
_ Ruth, Cotton, or Wick of thefe Lamps,
was impregnated with a Kind of Phofpho-
rus that would take Fire as foon as the _
_ Air had Liberty to operate on it. Some,
_ who maintain they were conftantly burn-
ing, conjecture, that the Wick was made
of the Filaments of Afbeftos, which Fire
could not confume,;. and that the Oil or
_ Matter which fupplied it was of fuch a
Nature, as that a trifling Quantity of it
_ would lait an Age.
We find here feveral (Offuaria) {quare
Urns, with Covers, and Inicriptions on
D2 : And
f 32 J
And others of a more ordinary Kind of |
Roman and Britifh Urns, wherein the An- hf
cients, after having burnt the Bodies of |
the Deceafed, depofited their Afhes, bu-
rying them with the Lamps, Lacryma-
tories, &c. already defcribed..
ANTIQUITATES VARIA.
T. Hous, Armr. Dono Dedit.
" Under this Title are- preferved a Col-
fection of Antiquities of various Kinds,
which 7. Fiolits, Fiq,; gave to the —
feum,
-I thall, in giving a fhort Account of
them, firft juft mention an Alabafter round _
Urn with a Cover, and another of the qf
fame Kind, but fquare: Thefe were for i
the Purpofe of depofiting Afhes. :
We here find feveral Bronze Figures of —
Egyptian Idols, Priefts, &@c. but, asl have |}
- already fufficiently enlarged on the Sub- |
‘jet of them, it is not neceffary to be more i Qn
y
particular. 4
-
Pee 4.
A Typhon, Hercules, Mercury, Silenus, &c.
attract.our Notice, and fome more Hetru/-
can Veflels of the fame Kind as thofe de-
{cribed, Page 44.
Several Figures of Roman Gods, Heroes,
Generals, and Soldiers. |
Some Marble Buftos of Fanus, Bifrous,
Hercules Balbinus, Lucina, and Diana.
We muft notice alfo under this Title
fome Votaries, or Oblations. It was-ufual
among the Heathens of old, when in any
imminent Danger, to make a Vow to
fome favourite God, to do fome particu-
lar Act, if they efcaped from it, as to build
a’ Temple, or perhaps a Thing of lefs Con-
fequence; and in Commemoration of their
_ Deliverance they hung up the Vetiva Ta-
bula, with a proper Infcription. They
| fometimes alfo dedicated a Tablet to the
Gods, in Thankigivine of fome fortunate
Event, though they had made no Vow to
do it. ate
We next proceed to Lacrymatories,
Lamps, and Urns; but, as L have already
ome Dia given -
[ 54 | 4
given my Reader a general Idea of them,
I fhall forbear to fay any more on the
Subject. Q
Here are fome large earthen iis (Gutti)
which the Ancients ufed for Philtration —
of Liquids, particularly the Water they
drank at their Meals.
AMERICAN IDOLS.
" Thefe are the chief Contents of the re-
maining Repofitories. TheIdols are made
of Earth, and either burnt or hardened in_ #
the Sun; fome of them were worfhipped
in Peru, others in Mexico, when the Euro- —
peans difcovered that Part of the World:
They were placed in High-ways, to be j |
ready for the Adoration of Paffengers. =
The Indians worfhipped two fupreme
Gods; one of which they efteemed the —
moft powerful, and looked upon as the |
- Author of all Good; the other of all Evil;
The firft they worfhipped through Love,
and thanked him for the Effeéts of his —
Goodnefs; the other through Fear, im-—
ploring
eae
~ ploring him not to do them o or theirs any
Injury.
One of thefe earthen Idols, I have men-
tioned above, to have been worfhipped in
America, bears a very great Refemblance
to fome preferved among the Antiquities
of Egypt already defcribed ; which makes
it not improbable that South America was
firft peopled from thence; at leaft, it has
been fo conjectured by feveral of the
Learned; imagining they might, in fome
of their long Voyages, have been driven
on that Coaft, without. being able to re-
- turn to their own Country, which is not
at all furprifing, if we reflect how deftitute
they were of all thofe Helps to Naviga-
‘tion, which we are fo abundantly fupplied
with.
Next to be obferved is a Fapone/e Pagod,
| a ‘Model of a Temple with an Idol in it.
The People-of Fapan ufually keep one of ©
them in their Houfes, in the fame Man-
| : ner the Romans did their Houfhold Gods.
boo oc a Here
£66 |
Here are fome Stone or Earthen Bottles
inclofed in Cafes of Wicker-work, made
of Cane cr Rufhes, contrived in fuch a
Manner, they may be fwung with Vio-
lence in the Hand. They are ufed in the -
warmer Eaftern Climates of Afa, parti-
caladly in Perfie, where the Inhabitants
imagine by fwinging their Liquor in thefe
Bottles, to make it more pleafant and —
agreeable to the Palate. The Frencbcall 7
them with much Propriety, Gargoulettes.
I need but juft mention that feveral
Kinds of Indian Pots are next in Courfe,
_ anda Variety of other Articles by them
applied to domeftic Ufes, but which are —
not of Confequence enough to take uP 4
more of our Time. ‘On ae
The Reader will obferve a Nett of
- Bafkets made of the Bark of a Tree, and | a
edged with Porcupines Quills, dyed of a
various Colours; and fome large Bafons ~
and Ewers, of a pale green Jalpes with q
. black Spots. | ig
On
[ sr J
On the Sides of the Room are hung up
in Frames feveral Pieces of Stucco Ceil-
ings, Fc. fome of them brought from’
_ Nero’s Bath at Rome, others from Pompezz.
A Bacchus of Alabafter, and two earthen
| Difhes of Raphae?s Painting, which are
fuppofed to be the firft that were ever
_ enamelled or glazed in that Manner.
Near the Articles juft above mentioned,
is the Sword of State of Hugh Lupus, firtt
| Barl of Chefler, and fome Baftinadoes,
which are Inftruments of Punifhment ufed
by the Turks to beat the Soles of the Feet
of Offenders. 3
_ Ithall now go to one of the Repofitories
near the Windows, in which are fome
| Calumets of Peace, large Tobacco Pipes, —
which the Indians of North America ule as
a Token of Friendfhip.
Some Whifks made of an Indian Cow’s
Tail, and Brufhes of fibrous Roots and
Feathers. _
A Variety of mufical Inftruments from
ake Eajft and Weft Indies next claim our
eS ae oats ~ Atten-
bee {
Attention, fome of which are Wind In- t
ftruments, others have Strings; and here %
are likewife Drums of feveral Kinds from 4
China and America, but more particularly
fome from Lapland, of the fame Sort as .
thofe ufed by their Enchanters, by the ©
Help of which, as many Authors have f
afferted, they were enabled to raife mighty
Tempefts, and do other Teer not lefs
wonderful. |
In the other Repofitory near the Win- i
dows are a great Number and Variety of i
ancient mathematical Inftruments, by —
which the learned Obferver may be en- ~
abled to judge how much that particular |
Branch of Science is improved. ;
My Reader will now accompany me to _
the Table where there are more Pieces
of Reman Antiquity preferved; fome of 7
which moft worthy Remark I hall |
mention.
Among them are feveral Heads andl |
Buftos, of which the Head of Mercury,
with a Chain fixed to it, deferves Notice 5
L 59 |
it is fuppofed to have been worn by fome
Roman, asa Charm, to fecure him good
Fortune, and preferve him from Thieves ;
and another of Califtus, a Freedman of
Claudius Cefar, who grew fo wealthy, that
| he was generally efteemed the richeft and
moft fortunate Man among the Romans of
the Age he lived in.
- Some Pieces of Bricks and Tiles with
Figures and Letters ftamped-on them, ©
(by which we may be enabled to judge
how near the Romans approached to a
_ Difcovery of the noble Art of Printing)
are here preferved.
I fhall pafs over diverfe sic Heads, .
- fome Figures of Animals, and Heads of
_ Canes or Sticks; and proceed to the Spe-
cimens of the Roman Fibulas, a Kind of |
| Buckle or Clafp, ufed by them to faften
their upper Garments, and of which we
could not have formed any perfect Idea,
were it not for the Specimens preferved
in the feveral Collections of the Curious.
dé Here
[i Go J) |
Here are alfo a Variety of Keys of dif-
-ferent Sorts, particularly the Ring Key, © 3
which for greater Security was worn on —
the Finger; and fome Bracelets and other
Ornaments, €&¢; of Metal. |
We muft next attend to the Stylus,
which is a Steel Inftrument, ufed by the
_ Romans to write on their Tablets of Wax.
Some Roman Weights, and feveral Peb-
blés with Figures and Infcriptions on
them.
- Various eihias of Meafures for Oil,
Pulfe, &c. Teffele, and Parts of ancient 4 Hl
Pavements and Mofaic Work; the Dice
here preferved, are found in great Quan- | &
tities in different Parts of the World, and
by fome fuppofed to have been dropped
by the Soldiers of the Roman Armies in || ¢
their March from one Station to another.
~ Some Corn brought from the Ruins of . iE
Herculaneum. 4 RD
There is a Leaf of Silver, or Amal- |
gama, preferved here, on which are plain-. i
wr...
ly perceivable the Lines and Letters that
have been impreffed or ftamped on it.
We next fee fome Turki/h Falifmans,
or Charms, with Aradic Infcriptions, being
generally a Sentence of the Alcoran. In
_ thefe the Superftitious among the Mabome-
tans have great Faith, and rely much on
their Power, imagining there are no Mif-
- fortunes, from which they may not be
| delivered by them, and particularly that
whoever wears them is free from ali
| Danger of being affaulted by evil Genii,
or Spirits, which they believe are conti-
| nually hovering about the World, watch-
_ ing Occafions to injure Mankind.
_. Some Tahbahs or Seals, (infcribed with
_ Arabic Words) which the Turks ufe inftead
of figning their Names.
- Further on are fome Talifmans and
Abraxas, a Kind of Spells or Charms
with which fome fuperftitious or artful
People in the firfk Ages of Chriftianity
pretended they could cure all Difeafes,
the Parties affliated wearing them about,
ee ther
ni A i ae tn te — =
[ 62 ]
their Perfons: It was likewife imagined
they were a Protection from Witchcraft
and.Enchantments. Some of them are
marked with the Conftellations; others
have the Figures of Angels, &c. on them;
but thefe Cabalifts efpecially attributed
on all Occafions a particular Power and
Virtue to the Word Abracadabra, the Let-
ters of it being properly arranged.
‘My Reader is next to obferve a Snuff-
box made of the Lava of Mount Vefuvius;.
fome Account has been given, Page 6,
of the Nature of this Lava. ££
_ A Ring fet with a tranfparent Agate. | 4
Two Pieces of ferpentine Stone for the —
Lid and Bottom of a Snuff-box, and fome r i”
Pieces of metallic Cryftal from Mount
fina. i
Among fome Bronze Figures Beenie 4 |
hither with the Corton Library, isone par- |
ticularly worthy of Remark, on Account ~ }
ofits Singularity, the naked Body being © |
covered. with a rough Subftance, and |
upon the whole bears a great Refemblance — |
|
|
Bcd a: [ 63. ]
to the Porcupine Man, who fome Years
ago fhewed himfelf to the Royal Society,
_ and afterwards to the Public in general :
He has a Son of the fame wonderful Ap-
pearance.
T. Hortiis, Arm, Dono Dedit.
We now come -to fome Articles given
by I. Hollis, fq; particularly Thread,
Corn, Hinges, and other Matters, brought
from the Ruins of Herculaneum. — -
_ More Brafs Axes, Heads of Spears,
Wedges, €c. for an Account of which
the Reader is referred to Page 48, and
fome Keys, Bracelets, &e.
Here we find fome Articles of which
‘the original Ufe is not yet with any De-
gree of Precifion known by the Learned
| of the prefent Age.
When we attentively view the Matrices
| wherewith the Romans ftamped their
earthen Ware, Tiles, &8c. (of which there
are fome Specimens here preferved) it feems
a bey aict of great Surprize that human
Invention
C % J]
Invention fhould in thefe early Times
have gone fo far towards difcovering the
Art of Printing, and that it fhould yet fail
of being compleated till many ~— after-
wards.
LETHEULLIER. Dono Dedit.
_ We find here preferved fome Egyptian
Idols of a fmaller Size than thofe already |
defcribed in a former Part of thefe Sheets; _ 7
among them is a Figure of Harpocrates,
adorned with all the Symbols he is ever
reprefented with. The others it is unne-
ceffary to particularize, as I have faid fg |
much on the Subje&, Page 9. wl
In this Room, over the Repofitories,
are a great Variety of modern (and fome |
curious ancient) Articles, brought from |,
the feveral diftant Parts of the World. I 7}
fhall only take notice of a large Calabath 7 |
(a Kind of American Vegetable) in the d |
Form of a Globe. a
Some Indian Shields made of Hides of |
| the Rhinoceros, or Elephant ; they differ .
met
Lhe]
in Size, feveral of them being large,
others of fmaller Dimenfions.
Many Specimens of Hats of all Sizes,
_and various Materials ; among them are
‘fuch as the Bramins and Mandarins wear,
‘in the Eaftern Countries, and China.
_ Bans from Fapan, China, Tonquin, and
‘other Places; their Shape, Fafhion, and
‘Materials differ, but one of them is of a
remarkable large Size, and made of the
fingle Leaf of a Taliput Tree, being ufed
for cooling a Room. :
Here are fome Drums larger than thofe
mentioned Page 57. Targets, and a great
‘Number of Inftruments of War, both
ancient and Indian; aBattle-ax, and fome
Spears, Pikes, Swords, Daggers of va-
rious Forms, and Bows and ‘Arrows,
Quivers, &Fe, ;
I fhall conclude what I have to fay of
this Room, by juft mentioning a Variety
of American Houfhold Utenfils, made of
‘Vegetables, chiefly Gourds ; and fome
| Snow
[ 66 ]
Snow Shoes and Sledges ufed in the a
Northern Nations of Europe.
COLLECcCTIO SLOANIANA.
_ The next Room on which I {hall ane
tempt tomake my curfory Remarks, con-
tains a Collection of Minerals and Foffils.
Sitrrces. ACHATES. SaARDIt.
In the Cabinet under thefe Titles are
many Specimens of Flints, Agates, and
Cornelians.
At the Top are ae large Pieces of — ;
Cryftal brought from the Hartz Foreft in —
Germany, and other Mines.
Flints in their natural State are a Kind ‘ |
of femitranfparent Stone, found in almoft |
all Parts of the World; they ftrike Fire |
with Steel, and by intenfe Heat are melted
into Glafs: Such of them as are capable ,
of receiving a fine Polifh, and are varie- _
gated in Colour, (which Variety thefe as —
welkas all other Stones are fuppofed to re- |
ceive from the influence of fome neigh- _
| bouring |
ne i
=
i aes
-bouring Mine) are ranked among the
_ lower prized Gems.
ee
Agates are cut and polifhed Stones of
| the fineft Kind of Flints, generally found
in the Eaftern and warmer Climates; they
vary much in Colour, and were called
Achates from a River in Sicily of that
N ame, on the Banks of which they were,
as it is fuppofed firft found.
_A particular Kind of Agates, that have
by Nature delineated on them lively Re-
_ prefentations of Mofies, Shrubs, Trees,
| Land{fcapes, or other Figures, are com-
monly called Mocoes, and deemed of more
Value than the others.
_ Cornelians are another Species of Flint,
: for the moft part of a pale red or yellow-
ifh Colour. This kind of Stone is but -
; little tranfparent, yet takes a fine Polifh;
it was formerly very much ufed for mak-
7 ing Cups, Boxes, &¢. and often for
Thumb Rings, being then finely cut and
polifhed: it is now in great Efteem for
| engraving, Seals, Gc. It is faid thefe
Stones
[ 68 }
Stones were called Sardi from their having
been firft applied to Ufe in the Ifland of —
Sardinia.
IASPIDES.
Jafper is another of the lower prized
precious Stones ; it is chiefly opake, but
fometimes in part tranfparent. It is fofter —
than Agate, but harder than Marble;
ftrikes Fire with Steel, and yields to Cal-
cination. Thefe are its general Qualities.
There are feveral Species of this Stone, —
of which I fhall only mention a few of the —
moft valuable.
Heliotropium, the Bloodftone is green
fpotted with red; it has been fuppofed to —
have a particular inherent Virtue, viz.
that of immediately ftopping Bleedings at 9
the Nofe, or elfewhere. Here are fome ¢
fine Specimens of this Stone to be feen.
Ophites, the Serpentine Marble, a ‘
Name given by the Ancients to fuch of —
the Marbles as had their variegations not 3
in a of Veins, but in Spots fo asin —
| fome —
: oo |
_ fome Meafure to refemble a Serpent’s Skin;
' they knew three Kinds, the black, the
white, and the grey, we know befides
_ thefe two others, a greyith brown one with
_ green Spots, and a pale grey one with
green Spots and Veins.
_ The Nephritic Stone is of a greenifh
Colour bordering on the Olive, but fome-
times variegated with white, black, or
yellow, it has never any red init, and is.
harder than moft other Jafpers; a Cup
made of this Stone, was Sold for 1600
Crowns in the Time of the Emperor Rz-
| dolpbus Ul. This kind of Jafper is in
steat efteem among the Turks, who ap-
ply it to feveral curious Ufes, particularly
they make of it Handles for their Sabres,
| -Kniyes, Daggers, Ec,
A plate of this Stone was Eeticly
“thought to be an immediate Cure for the
_ Nephritic Colic, on being applied to the
Reins; and it was alfo imagined that
iF wearing it would preferve the Party from
: | Z
the Attack of that Diftemper. 7
We
[ 7° ]
We find here many Sorts of florid Jaf.
pers, diftinguifhed by a great Variety of
Colours; fome have by the Hand of Na-—
ture delineated on them Reprefentations — 4
of Rivers, Trees, Landfcapes, Ruins of
Buildings, &e. . B
Egyptian Pebbles are a particular fine
Kind of variegated and figured Stones ;
fach as have but one Colour are leaft va- —
luable.
MaAaRMORA. ALABASTRA,.
~ Under thefe Titles are preferved a great : |
Variety of Specimens of the feveral Kinds
of Marble and Alabafter.
Marble is a hard opake precious Stone, -
does not ftrike Fire with Steel, yields ea-
fily to Calcination, and ferments with, —
and is foluble in acid menftrua. Itis ge- —
nerally found in great Maffes under the —
Ground, and cut out of Quarries, though }
there are in feveral Parts of the World en-_
tire Mountains of Marble; it differs in |
Colour in almoft Py Country, but the |
Florence —
Poet:
_ Florence Marble for the moft part bears a
i natural Refemblance to the Ruins of
2
of England.
Towns, Rocks, &c.
Alabafter is of the fame Nature as Mar-
ble, but of one fimple Colour, more brit-
¥
|
> |
:
;
¢
tle, fofter, and, when cut into thin Plates,
femi-tranfparent.
MeATA SELENITES,.
In this Repofitory are Spars and Moon-
_ftones. The Spar is a fhining Stone,
_ compofed of cryftaline and earthy Mat-
ter; it does not ftrike Fire with Steel, but
yields a whitifh Powder on Calcination.
When pure it is pellucid and colourlefs,
has the appearance of Cryftal but wants
its diftinguifhing Characters; it ferments
violently, with acids, and is wholly folu-
“ble inthem. Spars are frequently found
; | in Caves, Grottos, Clefts of Rocks and
‘ - Mines; they fhoot like Salts in Spires and
other Figures, and abound in many Parts
Selenites
| Bo. Be Comet ?
- Selenites, (have been frequently called }
Lapides Speculares) the Moon-ftone is of a
brighter Colour than the Spar, and is ta- _
bulated, or can be feperated into thin —
Plates; the Selenites do not ferment with —
acids, but readily calcine in theFire; they a
confift of feveral Species; and are found
in many Parts of the World, in Exgland, |
in the Clay-pits in Staffordfhire, and par-_ |
ticularly many of them in a bluith Clay
near Harborough in Oxfordfhire. Yt has —
been faid that the Chinefe Moon-ftone fuf- —
fers Increafe and Diminution in Sympathy
with the Increafe and Decrgafe’ of the
Moon. 3
Gypfum is of this Kind, but lefs tran-
{parent, and more eafily calcined, yield-
ing a fine white Powder, of which is —
made Plaifter of Paris, a -Commodity —
wellknown. The Gypfum has fomething
the appearance of the {fofter Marbles, im |
bright, gloffy, and in a imall Degree |
tranfparent ; it does not give Fire with
Steel, nor ferments with or is diffoluble —
ing
— ae ~~ aie hate
\~- im
| . L wo 7
| an an acid Menftrnum. Jt abounds in
| Darfetfiire, and fome other Parts of Eng-
diy wo CRE TALEA-
ft »
Cryftals are clear tranfparent colourlefs
_ Stones,. generally found on high Moun-
» tains, Rocks, and in Mines; by a che-
| umical. Tatilddon they yield Chalk and
; Salt.. They are compofed of fimple not
~ filamentous Plates; not flexile nor elaftic,
-igiving Fire with Steel: not fermenting
| an acid Menttrua and calcining in a ftrong
Fire. ‘The Perfection of Cryftal confitts
dn its Luftre, Tranfparency, and Hard-
nefs. It is applied to various Ufes, be-
ving often manufactured into Boxes, Cups,
; and other Toys. .Such as have -Straws,
7 Duft, &&c. enciofed in them,. are moft.cu-
| Seve. and Tare, butdeaft infor Ufe, Na-
_| duralifts deem the pureft Cryftal to be the
. original ‘Matter of all the precious Stones
, 0f the higher Claffes, which being in 4
a | _ certain Degree influenced by different mi-
“., E nerab
[ 74 ]
neral and metalline Qualities, thence af _
fume their Variety of Colour and Hard- —
nefs, and are called by their feveral dif
tinct Names, as will be fhewn when we ~
come to the precious Stones of Value.
ApyrRI. SuULPHURA. ©
We find in this Repofitory many Spe-
cimens of Stones that refift Fire, and of | |
the different Kinds of Sulphurs, or in- |
flammable Minerals. ~ ?
Apyri are opake rough Stones, fo called —
from their refifting an intenfe Heat, and |,
yielding neither Smoke nor Sparkles in
the Fire. I fhall mention fome of the
Kinds: and firft
Lapis Ollaris. This isa foft Stone, and
may be cut or turned into Veffels of dif- |
ferent Forms.
Mica, the Glimmer, is a brittle Stone, |} .
on which, when broke, are to be feen | ,
{mall white polifhed Lamina, as in Tale.
The Mica Aurea, the gold glimmer, is fre-
guently found in Arabic, Egypt, and |
other jj
LPA5.
‘other Eaftern Parts of the World; the
Mica Argentea, the filver glimmer, in Silefa
and Bohemia, and both of them fome-
times in England. The Spangles, with
which the Mica abounds, have often led
' ‘People to imagine they had found fome
Gold or Silver Ore, but in truth it con-
* “tains neither of thofe metals, being only
‘ akind of Talc accidentally coloured.
‘| Tale is a fhining Stone, eafily feperated
“into thin tranfparent Scales or Leaves, is
“| flexile and elaftic, does not give Fire with
‘Steel, nor ferments with acid menftrua.
“What we call Ifinglafs, is a kind of Talc,
‘it is diftinguifhed from the Plates of the
Selenites by its Elafticity. The Romans
“) *ufed it in their Windows; and it now
“) “ often ferves to cover miniature Paintings,
iu Water-Colours, or Crayons. The Oil
_ of Talc has madea great noife amone the
si -Alchymitts, on account of the Power it
was faid-to have, of fixing Silver foas te
® make it of equal Value with Gold, but no
w+ © fuch Oil was ever known to be extracted,
. \Pa i Ate that
L976.
that which has been called fuch, being a
mere Impofition.
Amianthus. This is of the Clafs of thee
Fibrarie, it is an opake brownifh Stone, —
“compofed of fhort and abrupt Filaments, |
flexile and elaftic, and eafily feparable into
Plates, or other irregular Pieces. ‘There
are feveral Kinds of it; and it is chiefly
found in Germany, France, and Egypt,
and one Kind often in York/hire. Thefe
kind of Stones have been often confound-
ed with the feveral fpecies of the Athef-™
tos, in confequence of which, we have
loft the Art of {pinning and working the
Afbeftos into incombuftable.Cloth.
Afbeftes, the Cotton-ftone, is naturally
of a white or Silver Colour, and confifts”
of fmall Fibres, of which may be made
fine Threads, brittle, yet fomewhat trac-
table; its Fibres are flexile and elaftic, —
and compofed of fingle and continuous”
Filaments, therein differing .from the
-Amianthus, the Filaments of which are
fhort and abrupt: The Ancients hada
Method:
i ee
—_-—>- Fe cl ware = - ae
B77: J
Method of manufacturing it into Cloth
or Paper, which would for a confiderable
Time remain unconfumed in a common
Fire: it is found either enclofed in other
| Stones, or on the Surfaces of them. It
__| has been fuppofed that this Kind of Cloth
_ was made Ufe of among the Romans at
their Funerals, to preferve the Afhes of
‘ the Deceafed unmixed, in order to their
; being depofited in the Urn. On fome
~ lateExperiments made, a Napkin of this
“ @loth has. been found to fuffer a very fen-
' fible Diminution of its Weight every
~ Fime it was put into the Fire. Doétor
Hill with Reafon thinks that a Stone of
~ this Kind, which he defcribes as white,
" loofe and thready, with broad Filaments,
~ never forming themfelves into Maffes, but
“always remaining loofe, might be manu-
- faétured into Cloth of de Kind above-
mentioned. It is found near the Surface
* of the Earth in many parts of Scotland.
* Under the Title Sulpbura are compre-
bended all the inflammable Minerals.
ie 3 Ambers
Red |
Ambers of various Kinds: This is a
yellow Subftance, more or lefs tranfparent,
of a gummous Confiftence, a refinous’
Tafte, and a Smell like Turpentine; ;
- when rubbed fo as to be warm, it attraéts
light Bodies, as Straws, ¥c. and yields a
Kind of Light in the Dark: it ferves for
many Ufes, being often manufactured.
into Heads of Canes, Toys, Cups, €¢.,
It is found in the greateft Plenty on the,
Baltick Sea, along the Coafts of Prufia,
and fome other Parts of Europe. Diffe-
rent Subftances are often found enclofed
in the Maffes of Amber, but more par-_
ticularly Infe&ts; which proves that it was
once ina fluid State, but afterwards har-
dened by the Operation of the Air, Fe
on it; the Specimens of Amber, th
have any Thing enclofed in them being
valuable, has occafioned its being oft
imitated by Artifts, but the Fraud is eafily
difcovered on a proper Infpeétion. Se
-Bitumens, Jets, and Coals, ({mooth
pitchy black Stones) muft here be now
ticed : f
4
rr
bE 29
ticed: and the Afphaltus, or Fews Pitch.
Jet has a Grain like Wood, is very light,
moderately hard, not fufible, but readily
inflammable, aud burning a long Time
with a greenifh white Flame. It is found
in detached Maffes. Cannel Coal is found
in Strata, is not lefs hard than many
« Stones, is inflammable, yet flames but a
little while; in all thefe particulars differ-
» ing from Jet, with which it has often
» been confounded. —
- Sulphurs, or Brimftones, an unctious
) Subftance, of various Colours, according
» toits Purity; when moft fo, it is eafily
inflammable and fufible in Fire, and cafts
- aftrong fuffocating Smell; it is dry, folid,
. and friable, is indued with an eleétric
» Power, and does not diffolve in acids: It
» 1s very frequently mixed with Arfenic,;
- andfometimes with metalline Particles,
» when it is called Marcafite and Pyrites.
| The Pyrites Aureus is frequently met with
/ in great plenty near Banbury in Oxford-
fhire; but a finer Sort is found at Cleydox
Bee | E 4 2
[ 8 ]
a-Village hard by. Thefé were formerly®
ufed inftead of Flints for ‘Carbiries: and’.
Piftols. The Pyrites Argenteus, or Silver
Marcafite, was met with im great Plenty —
on digging a Well at Dodington in Oxford=
hire; and fometimes it is taken ovit of”
the Belemnites found in that Neighbourt |
hood. A particular Sort of Maréafite,
called by the Inhabitants of thofe Parts!
Crow Iron, (within ofa golden, but withs —
out of a darkifh rufty Colour) is very’
frequently feen at Aton Rewant in Oxford- —
| Shire, and another Kind at Henley upon
Thames. The Pyrites is alfo often me
ta Stafford/hire.
——————— ~~, a
aT - pe
MInERALIA. METALLICA.
In this Repofitory is to be feen a —
Colleétion of Ores, from almoft all the —
known Mines in the World. I fhall not :
detain my Reader Jong on this Subject,”
but refer him for farther Satisfaction, to
the Specimens here preferved. is
Ee _——<—— —- =~ ee ae —_— a. =o
Thofe —
; fF &. }
-Thofe on the upper Shelves on the
Left-hand, confift of Lead Ore; the next
under them are the Silver and Gold Ores,
and the Bottom Shelves contain Tin Ores.
_ On the Shelves on the Right-hand are
firft the Iron, then the Copper Ores, where
the Azure Stone, or Lapis Lazuli, and the
Turcois, are very rare Specimens, and are to
be ranked among the precious Stones.
The next Shelf contains Quickfilver
_ and Cinnabar Ores. The others are An-
timony, Bifmuth, Cobalt, and Calamine,
: (Lapis Calaminariis ) called Semimetals; for
EE Ee ee
thefe yield a very fmall Regulus, or liquid
Metal, which, though it can be melted
again, is not by itfelf ductile, or fo far
malleable as to be of any Ufe to Manu-
fa&ture. Antimony is never found native
in its perfect State, being always mixed
| with Sulphur and other extraneous Mat-
ter; when feparated from its Ore it is
eafily fufible, and greatly promotes the
Fufion of other Foffils: It is of great Ufe
. im Medicine, Chemiftry, and Mechanics,
. Saale and
[ 82 ]
and is an Ingredient in Pewter’ Bell Metal,
and the mixt Metal of which Printing
Types are made. Bifmuth is hard, and —
lefs friable than Antimony; it is very |
rarely found native, more commonly in _
the State of Ore, occafioned by a laroe
Mixture of Sulphur and Arfenic. Pro-
perly prepared it enters into the Compo-
fition of Bell Metal, and the Metal of ©
which Printing Types are made, like An-—
timony, it eros other Metals more
eafily fufible. It is found in Germany,
and in many Parts of England. Cobalt is
a compact heavy Mineral, has a fhining —
Appearance, and much refembles fome of ;
the Antimonial Ores: It is found in dif- —
ferent Forms and Colours, owing to va- i
rious Accidents ; from Cobalt is produced —
Zaffer and Smalt; the Mendip Hills in- i
England afford it, but it is not fo rich as
the German and Bohemian. he a0
The Lapis Calaminaris is a fpungy Sub-—
ftance, of a lax and cavernous Structure, f
yet confiderably heavy ; when pure, it is”
of i
4a
i Se? J
of a pale brownifh grey Colour, but from
its lax Structure fubje&t to extraneous
Mixtures. Dr. Law/on was the firft who
afferted from a Courfe of Experiments,
that Calamine was the Ore of Zink, which
is known in England by the Name of
Spelter: Zink is very frequently brought
us from the Ea/t Indies, under the Name
of Tutenag; it meltsin avery {mall Fire;
both Calamine and Zink turn Copper into
Brafs. Calamine is found in great Plenty
in England, particularly in Somer/et/hire.
_~ Inone of the Tables near the Windows
on the Right-hand, are a great Number
and Variety of Agates, Onyxes, and Sardo-
nywes, rough and polifhed; fome of them
are fmall like Seeds, which in the Beds
_ where they are found, meeting with pro-
‘per Particles, by a natural Coalition, and
| affifted by the Heat of the Sun in warmer
‘Climates, encreafe in Bulk. The Agate
is a femi-pellucid Gem, variegated with
Veins and Clouds, but without Zones ;
othe feveral Kinds are of different Colours.
BE 6 The
[ 84 ]
The Eaft India Agates are much finer than
thofe of Bohemia, America, or any other
Part of the World. Among the moft
curious of the Specimens in this Place,
are two Pendants, fet in Form of a
Heart, each having by Nature delineated
on it a tolerable Reprefentation of an
- Eclipfe, one of the Sun, the other of the
Moon: Their Drops are Onyxes.
The Onyx is a femi-tranfparent Stone of
the Agate Kind, (often imitated by the
Lapidaries with Agate) it has various co-
loured Zones, but none red ; and is com-
pofed either of a Number of flat Plates, or
of a.Series of Coats round a central Nu-
cleus: The Lapidaries fhew their Inge-
nuity in contfiving to cut them in fuch
a Manner, as to have Figures or Hiftories
on them in Baffo Relievo, with the Ground
of a different Colour: Thefe Pieces of |
Sculpture are called Cameos. The Onyxis |
found in feveral Parts of the Eaff Indies, |
in Mexico, Italy, Bohemia, and many Places
in
f 8 J
in Germany: It is formed of Cryftal, de-
bafed with a fmall Admixture of Earth.
. The Sardonyx is of the Onyx Kind, and
ig either zoned or tabulated; it is com-
_ pofed of the true Matter of the Onyx, but
variegated with Zones or Plates of that of
the red or yellow Cornelian, whence its
‘Name: It is by the Lapidaries divid-d
into feveral diftinc&t Species, and generally
found in fuch Parts of the World as pro-
duce the Onyx, particularly the warmer
‘and Eaftern Climates.
In this Table we find alfo many Speci-
mens of the different Kinds of Fa/per,
of which fome Account has been given,
Page 68.
_ And here is a rough Egyptian Pebble,
broke into two Parts; on each Piece is
a perfect Refemblance of the Head of
| Chaucer, as he is ufually painted: This is
entirely the Work of Nature, not having
been at all affifted by Art.
+ Some Pieces of Lapis Lazuli, or Azure
Stone, by the Ancients called Cyaneus and
10 eat Cer#=
[ 86 ]
Ceruleum. It is of a blue Colour, veined
and fpotted with white and yellow, not —
dificult to imitate by Art; but the ge- —
nuine good Stone fhould refift Fire and
- Smoke, and come forth with new Luftre;_
of this is made Ultramarine. It is found
in Mines of Gold, Silver, and Copper, and
more frequently in Pits of Marble, which
laft is the Kind generally ufed.
We next come to a great Number of
Specimens of precious Stones of all Kinds, —
opake and tran{parent, rough and polifhed,
fome loofe, others fet. I fhall give my
Reader a few Remarks on the Nature of
fome of them; and begin with the }:
Opal, fuppofed to be the Pyropus of
~
Ovid; this is the fofteft of allGems, ge- J
nerally from the Size of a fmall Pea toa —
Horfe-bean, but fometimes lareer “a of
_ the Bean, and often fmaller than the Pea:
Its Colour is whitifh, or rather that of hell q
fineft Mother of Pearl, but fo tranfparent —
that one may fee deep into the Stone: Te
i not eer by Defcription to give an Idea A
of H
+
L 87
of it; for, as it is turned about, 1t fhews
almoft all Colours, as yellow, red, blue,
green, purple, and a milky grey. It is
produced in Egypt, in Arabia, {everal Parts
_ of the Eaft Indies, and fometimes in Europe:
_ The Oriental are the fineft; but the Bo-
| bemian, neverthelefs, very beautiful. It is
often found among the Earth of Moun-
tains, on the Banks of Rivers, and bedded
in Jafper. |
Oculus Cati, the Cat’s Eye, by fome called
| Afteria, is of the Nature of an Opal, but
harder, and fhews only two Colours, brown
and white; the brown feeming to be the
Ground, and the white playing about it
in the fame Manner the Fire Colour does
inthe Opal. This Stone takes a fine Po-
| ith, but is ufually worn in its natural |
- State: Its Form is for the moft Part that
of the half of a fmall bifeéted Globe, be-
7 ‘ing flattith on one Side, round on the
other. It is found in the Ea? and Wef
| Indies, anid fometimes in Europe.
were Liv) 28
Turcots,
. es
bee
; ‘2 fs 4 fi a
: =
{ 88 ]
Turcois. This was long thought to be —
a natural Gem; but it has fince been dif-
covered to be only in reality the Bone of |
an Animal, by Accident fallen into a Cop-
per Mine, whence it derives its {tony and
mineral Qualities: It has not that fine
blue Colour when firft found, requiring
fome Art to bring it to Perfection, and
when done it does not for any Length of |
Time continue, but becomes gradually
green; which is the Reafon of its not
being fo valuable as it would otherwife
be: Whilft it holds its Colour it is indeed
moft beautiful.
Oculus Mundi is of a pale and uniform
Colour, a whitifh grey, no ways varied ;
it is almoft entirely opake, and does not —
take a good Polifh: When put into Wa- |
ter for a {mall Space of Time, it becomes |
confiderably tranfparent, and takes the ©
Colour of the yellow Cornelian, or rather |
Amber, that is, a very fine bright pale © |
yellow ; but it retains this Beauty only
whilt in the Water, taking, when dry, |
its
L 89 ]
its natural Appearance. This furprizing
| Stone is not yet known to be produced
in any Country but China, though our
_ own Country has afforded Stones that, in
_ fome Deeree, emulate its Qualities.
_ “We now proceed to make a few Re-
- raafks, or Obfervations, on the Nature
_ of the tranfparent Gems. Thefe are not
improbably fuppofed to take their feveral
Tinges, or Colours, fromi the predomi-
nant Influence of fome neighbouring
- Mine; communicated in the fame Man-
ner, that beautiful blue is to the Turcois
in a Copper Mine. Thefe Gems. are by
the Naturalifts, according to their Quali-
ties and Hardnefs,. ane in the fol-
lowing Order.
| Aqua Marina, Aque Marine. ‘This is,
7 in all Probability, the Beryl of the Ar-
cients; it took its modern Name from
its Colour, (a fine Sea green, inclined to
7 bluifh, refembling Sea Water) which it
_ receives from the Influence of Copper
_ and Tron ti Tt is found in various
a, ; Shapes
[ go J
Shapes and Sizes, generally about the
Size of a Horfe-bean ; it bears a natural
Polifh when found, and has the Sea green.
Colour in all Degrees, from the deepeft
to the paleft, without the Intermixture
of any other Colour. When this Stone
is in Perfection, it approaches to the —
Hardnefs of a Grenate, or Garnet, but —
is often much fofter: avery {mall De-
gree of Heat deprives it of its Colour.
It is found in the Zaft Indies, particularly —
the Ifland of Ceylon, and fometimes in.
Europe, as in Silefia, &c. Thofe from —
the warmer Eaftern Climates are much
the ‘hardeft and fineft. ‘oe
Hyacinth, or Facinth, is of a pale Ver- —
milion Colour, or red, with a fmall’
Admixture of yellow, ufually called a
Flame. Colour, which Appearance it. 7
probably receives from Lead and. Iron. —
It is found of various Degrees of Palenefs
or Deepnefs; fometimes the yellow is’
greatly predominant; its Form is that of —
an oblong roundifh Pebble, flatted on one —
Side. 9
[ 9x J
Side. This Stone is not near fo hard as
the Ruby or Sapphire, but much more
fo than any Sort of Cryftal: It takes a
fine Polifh; and is brought us in the
ereateft Perfection from the Eat Indies :
* It is alfo found in the Weft Indies, and in
fome Parts of Europe, as Silefia and Bohe-
mia; thofe from the Eaff are by much
- the hardeft, as in general all the Gems
. that come from thence are.
~Granate, or Garnet, as it is generally
called, is a very beautiful Gem ; the Co-
lour is a fine bright full red, with a fmall
Tinge of blue: the Influence of Gold,
or Iron and Tin Ores may ‘poffibly be
the Caufe of its beautiful Appearance.
It is never found in angular Columns,
_ like Cryftal, as many Gems are, but al-
ways in Form of an oblong irregular
Pebble: It is not fo fubje& to Faults and
Blemifhes as the Ruby, and when pure
-and well coloured, it is little inferior to it
in Beauty.. This Stone is of a middle
Degree of Hardnefs between the Sapphire
pereen | and
[ 92 J
and’ common Cryftal: The Ladies are
well acquainted with it, having 'of late
been much worn by them in a Variety of
Omaments, as Bracelets, Caps, Egrettes, _
&c. Itis brought from the Ea/? Indies,
where moft of the fineft of our Gems are’
produced, yet often found in Jtaly, Hun-
gary, and Bohemia.
Amethyft is always of a purple Colour,
but of many Shades, having fometimes a
bluer, at others a redder Caft, and reach-
ing from very near a Rofe Colour to @
Violet, according as it has been influen-
ced by Gold, or Iron and Tin Ores. It
is found in the Eaf and. Weft Indies, and,
in feveral Parts of Europe. Thofe of the
Pebble Kind are moft valuable, by being
hardeft, and having, when polifhed, the.
fineft Luftre ; but it is moft frequently —
met with in the angular Figure of Cry{-
tal. In the fineft Specimens, it is of
equal Value and Hardnefs with the Ru-
by; but this is not common. When
deprived of its Colour by Fire, it wants —
nothing —
L 93 jJ
nothing but Hardnefs to make it a per-
fect Imitation of the Diamond, :fo beau-
tiful is.its Luftre.
Fopaz. This is the Chryfolite of the
Ancients ; itis always of a pure yellow,
or fineft Gold Colour, but of different
Shades or Degrees, from the deepeft
_ Saffron down to the paleft Amber, or
1 Aerie =a
Straw Colour. ‘Lead is fuppofed to in-
fluence it inthis refpect. The moft va-
Juable is equal in Hardnefs-to the. Ruby
-or Sapphire : They are feldom found very
large ; but the Great Mogul has one that
weighs near 160-Carats, which is of very
_ great Value. The true Topaz is always
met with-in a Pebble-like Form ; it has,
when polifhed, a glorious yellow Colour.
_Cryftal, tinged) with yellow, is often fub-
ftituted inftead of it: by the modern Jew-
- ellers, but the Wheel difcovers the Dif-
_ ference ; forthe very worlt Topaz is
much harder than Cryftal. They are
_ found in the Eat and Weft Indies, and
fometimes in Europe.
Emerald
[ ‘toy 9
Emerald is of a fine green Colour, (6f
all the different Shades from the deepeft
to the paleft) occafioned by fome neigh.
‘bouring Iron and Copper Mines. This |
Stone lofes its Colour in Fire, and is then |
-undiftinguifhable from a white Sapphire. 7
~The genuine oriental Emerald is a very
hard and moft beautiful Gem, but few
-of them have of late been brought to
Europe, that which the Jewellers call ori- J}
ental, being the Produce of America;
‘and what is ufually fold under the Name
‘of occidental Emerald is nothing but}
‘tinged Cryftal. The Emerald is fome-
times found in a Pebble-like Form, but}
more frequently in a columnar or angu-
lar one, like Cryftal. The oriental Eme-
rald is of the Hardnefs of the Sapphire,
-.or Ruby, and fecond only to the Dia-
-mond in Luftre and Value. The Ame-
vican is of the Hardnefs of the Garnet,
sand the Eurepean fofter than that, but
‘much harder than Cryftal. The Pebble
Emeralds are found loofe in the Earth,
often
te ee
bias 7
often on the Banks of Rivers, the co-
lumnar adhering to a white opake cryf-
‘talline Matter. The moft beautiful and
valuable are brought from the Eaf In-
| dies; but they are alfo found in Peru,
and other Parts of South America, and
_ fometimes in Exrope.
_ Sapphire is a moft beautiful Gem of a
_ fine blue Colour, of all Shades from the
_ deepeft to a pale fky blue: It owes its
h ‘Colour to Copper, and may by Fire be
. made to have a near Refemblance to the
- Diamond. The fineft, which come to
_ us from the Eaf Indies, are equal in
_ Hardnefs to the Ruby ; they are now
_ and then found in Europe, but not very
. frequently or very good. The beft and
. hardeft are of a Pebble-like Form; they
, are fometimes found in the Cryftal Form.
_ The white Sapphir, as the Jewellers call
_ it, is very little inferior to the Diamond
_ in Value.
» Ruby is of a very fine red Colour, with
. afmall Admixture of purple, which in-
fh | creafes
t 96]
creafes its Beauty: its Colour it receives
from Gold and Tin. In the larger Spe-
cimens it is often fpotted, or otherwife
blemifhed, which greatly reduces its Va-
lue. It bears fo. good a Polifh in its na-
tural State, that it is often worn as it is
found. Its Colour is from ‘the deepeft
to the paleft red, but always tinged,
-more.or lefs, with purple. This Stone 7
only found genuine in the Zaft Indies, and
is always. (before it is polifhed) of a Peb-
ble-like Form: When in a-perfect State,
it is of great Beauty and Value, inferior
to none, but the Diamond.
~The Diamond is colourlefs, the hardelll
and moft valuable of all precious Stones:
It is brought from the Eat Indies, an
iome from Brazil, but not fo fine.
liy the Table we are now treating
are to be feen a great Variety of Pearls,
particularly one of a purple (Colour, and
another in the Form of a Bunch of
Grapes ; both which are very rare and.
valuable Specimens.
L 97 |
in the Table near the Window, among
the Models of Diamonds, is that of Pitt’s
Brilliant, which was fold to the King of
France for 120,000/. The prefent King
wears it on his Hat inftead of a Button ;
its Weight is 1364 Carats.
A Model of a fine Rofe Diamond,
| - weighing 139+ Carats, being 24 Carats
3
:
+
more than P7#7’s Brilliant juft above men-
Honed ; but, not having fo fine a Luftre,
it is not fo valuable. This Diamond for-
merly belonged to Charles the Bold, the
- att Duke of Burgundy; and when he was
killed, and his Army defeated in the
Battle of Nancy, it fell into the Hancs
-a common Soldier, who by Accident
“found it on the Field of Battle ; but, be-
ing ignorant of its Value, fold it for lefs
ibe aCrown. One of the Grand Dikes
of Tufcany afterwards, by Purchafe, be-
_ came poffeffed of it, and it was pre! ‘erved
inthe Family of Medicis for a long Time,
but at length came into the Hands of the
ae F prefent
[ 98 ]
prefent Emperor of Germany, who carr ied
it to Vienna.
There are more Models of Diamonds 4
this Table; but as none of them are near
fo large as the two already mention
it is not at all material to be more - ,
ticular on the Subjeét, or to inform the
Reader who are the refpeétive Polistioas
of them. _ d |
Among a great Variety of Cryftals ,
manufactured into Vafes, Cups, Boxes, —
Efc. are fome Beads of Cryftal, which are. %
been worn by the ancient Druids in this”
Ifland, as Ornaments for their Perfons. |
Some Cry/tal Balls, which are faid to be
ufed in cold Countries for warming di
Hands, and (after being fome Time kept
in a Cellar) for cooling them in _hotte f
Climates ; but this is not certain, ma
‘imagining they were defigned for othe cr |
Utes.
Marca/ites, bright glittering Stones,
with a Mixture of Sulphur, or Arfenic, |
[ 99 J
ia which they owe their, Luftre, Some
Accou ay is pare of them ie 79. The
re BPR et a it,
ieces of Coral finely cut-in, va-
apes.
| at ag Table is a great deal of Ander
nan? 1 fattured, ‘particularly, a fine Cabinet,
cu rious Crab, fome Bells, Beetles,
£ ndles for Infirumerts, &c. and fome
Pie . of Amber, in the Subftance of
which Jy ty eds are inclofed. $e nk file
ii We iG é mutt next take Notice of : a Peftle,
lor ‘ae and Plate of Egyptian Porphir yr
rt ist be. remarked, that this is the
ha def t Stone. of the opake Kind that
as” s yet been, found. _
pees ‘Lh: all conclude my. tee on
the. Bopen ss: of, this Table, by inform-
ing the Reader, that there are a Variety
Ute: fs of Agat, Fafper, &c. fuch as
Necklaces, Pendants, Rings,
ieee Boxes,
ae
[ 100 J
Boxes, Buttons, €?c. Thefe Matters are
in very great Efteem and Ufe among the
Turks, Arabians, Greeks, Perfians, Cir-
cafians, and others, Inhabitants of the
Eaftern Parts of the World. a
We find nothing more to mention in
this Room, except the Collection of Gu-
tavus Brander, Efq; (one of the Truftees }
of the Briti/h Mufeum) which he has ge-
neroufly given to the Public. It is very
curious, but confifts chiefly of fuch Spe-
cintens 2s are likewife to be feen in the
Sloanian Colleétion : I fhall, therefore, not
enlarge much on the Particulars. |
.In the Cabinet between the Windows
are a great Variety of Incruftations and
Petrifactions, as Shells, Corals, and other.
Things: In the Petrifaétions the original
Subftance is entirely changed to a Stone;
in the others it is only completely. dal
vered with a ftony Matter, the Subftance
ftill retaining its priftine Qualities,
There are many Springs in England and
elfewhere, which incruftate whatever is
[- 26: |
left in them, for any length of Time,
with a Stony Surface ; and others have a
Power of making an entire Change in the
Subftance of Wood, &c. giving it all the
Properties of Stone. In fome Places the
Earth effects the fame Thing on -what-
ever is buried in it.
In the two large Tables are a very
curious Collection of foffil Shells, figured
_ Foffils, natural and fimple Foffils, and
- particularly of Minerals: I fhall not take
; up much of the Reader’s Time in mak-
ing any long Remarks on thefe Articles.
i With, refpect. to. the figured Foffils and
-foffil Shells, ] I fhall treat of them more at
_ large, when I come to that Part of the
_ Sloanian Collection, as the foffil Shells
may there be compared with fuch as are
_fecent: as to the Minerals and fimple
_ Fofiils, they have already been noticed,
Page 80.
Inthe firft Table I fhall nie with a
few Remarks on the foffil Shells and fi-
| gured Fofiils, with which it is filled.
|
}
F 3 _ Anomia.
f 102]
Anome. Thefe are a Kind of fofiil Shelly |
very frequently found in that State, but
{cidom recent, and fcarcely ever perfeét,
They refemble a Cockle, but are beaked.
Oftracites, petrified Oyfters of different |
Kxinds. _. oun i ae
Peétinites. Under this Title ‘are vas |
tious foffil Scollop Shells. ‘
Ammonite, Snake-ftones, frequently
found in England and. elfewhere, in the |
petruied State; but the recent is not yet :
known; fome fuppofe it to be the ian
ils. ) 1 2a ¥ |
_ Nautiliti, Petrifactions refemblihg the |
Nautilus. There is one very curious |
Specimen in this Collection. Thefe Kind |
of Petrifaétions are frequently found ive :
am Mines in Derby/hire. , i. |
- Belemnites, commonly called Thunder- |
bolts in the Parts of prea? where
are found. ode i*
_ Echinites, Sea Hedgehogs, or Sea eRe a
the Cavities of which are Russ 2
with Stone. = - | ee |
Echinorum ” if
[ 103 }
Echinorum Radiali, the Spines of the
Sea Hedgehog petrified, generally found
near them in the Earth.
_ Afieriz, Star-ftones, are of an angular
Figure, refembling a Star, having more
or lefs Points or Rays.
_ Cwrallcides, Some Specimens of foffil
— Coral.
Foffilia Univalva, foil Shells, confifting
- of one Piece or Part.
Fofilia Bivalva, Oyfters, &c. where aa
_ Fith ledges in a Pair of Shells.
_ Conchites, foffil Cockle Shells. |
Cochlites, fofiil Shells of a fpiral Form.,
as Snails, Gc.
» Fofilia Multivalva, Shells. where the
Fih extends itfelf into many different
_ Loolithi, Bones, either preferved in the
iti, or petrified.
- Ichthyolithi, Impreffions of Fith on |
Stone, or petrified Parts of them.
| Entomolithi, a Variety of Specimens of
petrified Infects.
+
Fa ; We
Civer }.
‘We muft now proceed to the other
Table, where we find,
Phytolithi, Figures of Leaves and other |
Parts of Plants, very naturally reprefented |
on Pebbles, and fome Pieces of petrified |
Wood. sf
Conchyl. Gallica, a Colfeétion of Shells
picked up on the South Coaft of France; |
they are of various Kinds. a
Graptolithi, fome Specimens of figured
Marble Slates, &c.
Conchyl. Hanton. A Colleétion of foil .
Shells found in Hamp/hre, where they |}
abound on the Hiils.
Stalaftites, Drop-ftones, formed by In-
cruftation, particularly in the Peak in
Derbyshire. . ~
Gipfa, Several Spieitalha of the Crp
fum, a Kind of Stone of which is made
Plaifter of Paris.
Spata, Spars of various Kinds.
Cryftalla, Cryftals. |
Afvefti.7 Under. thefe Titles are depo- : |
Apyri, hee the Afbeftus or Cotton- |
; Stone, |}
[ tos |
Stone, of which was formerly made the
incombuftible Linen, and other Stones,
which can, without vifible Alteration, bear
an intenfe Heat. —
” aevemvens Some Specimens of Marble,
nape. Jafper, and Agate.
_ Achat.
Sal. Several Kinds of Salts and
6 Sulphur. = together with
ee Jet, Cannel Coal, and fome
SS Ey RE IE Re LN ALD TD LG, LE AM AOA
Gs
‘Ambers. |
© Pyrit. Muindick © or Marcafite.
- Semimetalla. Antimony, Bifmuth, Co-
balt. -
’ Minere Auri et? Gold and Silver Ores.
“+ Argenti: | SAmong them is one
Piece of pure Gold in a white Stone, or
Spar: the others are ‘Silver mixed with
‘Lead.
- Min. Plumbi. Sidcandiin of Lead =
without Mixture of Silver.
Cupri, Copper Ores, and the Flore
Veneris.
Baw ge AN lo Ri L ya (Stane
fi wei jj
Stanni. Tin Ores, with fomne Pieces. of |
Block Tin. Aucmommiaml
Ferri. Iron Ores, with ths Flores Martis: —
Brafs 1s made by mixing a certain
Quantity of the Lapis Calaminaris, or of —
Zink, with Copper in the melting. e
CortectTio SLOANIANA, ~
The Room we are now about to make |
our Remarks on, contains a fine Collec- |
tion of foffil Shells, figured Foffils; recent |
Shells, and fome other Articles. This is |
not the leaft Curious Part of the Mufe- |
um ; and the recent Shells here preferved |}
particularly claim the Attention of the |
Ladies ; Many of them are very fearce |
and valuable, others remarkably beautiful. |
To proceed with fome Degree of Re- |
gularity, I fhall firft take Notice of the
Contents of the Repofitories, or Cabinets, |
round the Room, beginning With: that on |
which is inferibed |
| Stalaéttites. Thefe-are a Kind i Sensi |
formed by Droppings of Water, which |
being |)
pate lpi: 80r-]
being impregnated with certain Stony
Particles, by Degrees petrifies, and grows
to the Hardnefs of a Spar, and confifts
of feveral Coats. Under this Head are
comprehended all the various Kinds of
Incruftations, petrified Ificles, Peas-ftones,
and other Kinds of Spars, that do not
fhoot from the Subftance of the Rock,
but infenfibly encreafe in Bulk, preferv-
_ ing always a {mooth and curious Surface.
_ They are, for the moft part, found in
‘ _ fubterranean Caverns, in Grottos on the
_ Appenine and Pyrenean Mountains, in Der-
byfhire, and many other fuch like Places 5
fome of them refemble Sugar Plumbs,
and are called Confetti di Tivoli. Thefe
Jaft are of the Kind of Spars called Sta-
dagmodiaugia.. The, Stalaéiites take ma-
my different Names, according to the
Colour and Degree of Purity they pof-
. fefs.. They are daily formed, which many
_ found under the Arches of Weftminfter
Bridge, and ina Vault under the Terras
i at Windfer, fufficiently. teftify. :
iPone F 6 We
[. 108 J
We mutt here add the Ludus He’montii,
or Waxen Veins, as they are often called) —
This Stone confifts of feveral Pebbles |
bedded in a Mafs of pure Earth, which |
is grown to the Hardnefs of a Stone. It
is to be obferved, that the Matter which |
forms the Bed, and by which the Peb-
bles are fo ftrongly joined and cemented
together, is of a purer Nature than the |
Pebbles themfelves are. This is not un- |
frequently found in many Parts of Eng: _ |
land, and is of confiderable Value. The :
Matter by which thefe Pebbles are.join-—
ed, is ufed in Medicine in Neptiaay
Complaints. ote
Under this Title are duplidined a bu-
man Skull and a Sword, both of which are
completely covered over and incrufted ‘
with the fame ftony Subftance to a confi- é |
_ derable Thicknefs, yet without’ lofing |
‘their Form. They were found in the |
“Tyber at Rome. 24
Aitites, Eagle Stones. Pliay the Na- |
turalift fays, that EF agles cannot hatch — |
; their f
=
[. 109° |]
their young without having one of thefe
_ Stones in their Neft; but it is to be
looked upon as a mere idle Fiction, the
Experience of many fucceeding Ages
being far from warranting the Affertion.
| Thefe Stones are formed of two different
“Subftances, the one much harder and
“more compaét than the other ; the Nu-
“cleus, which is of a fofter Matter than
the Surface, thrinks as it petrifies, thereby
_ leaving a Cavity between the harder Cir-
ee and itfelf, and being of courfe
- Wole, muft naturally rattle.
~~ Under this Title are claffed all the
hollow Pebbles ; thofe which particularly
‘bear this Name have another enclofed in
the Cavity of them, which may be known
by their rattling. In others is very
‘plainly heard a Liquid, which, on open-
ing them, is only found to be foul Wa-
ter: this Kind is called Enbydros. When
‘they have an earthy Matter inclining to
‘the cryftalline in them, they take the
"Name of Geedess and when there are in
one
~ --
[sag] |
one Stone two or three Cavities, they
have of late been fometimes called Li- —
thotomi. They have had many other —
Names, as LEutocium, Echites, Erodialis,
Aguileius, and Lapis pregnans. Great Vir- —
tue has been by Women afcribed to the
Eagle-ftone, it being thought by many, —
that, if it is worn above the Girdle, it —
prevents Abortion ; if about the Knee, —
it helps Delivery: but this Virtue is
ideal, and only a Conjeéture formed from _
its being pregnant, as it were, of another
Stone. Credulity and Superftition often
produce Fancies, which one is furprifed
to find People of Senfe and Reafon fome-
times give way to; but fuch isthe F ae
of human Nature. |
Helmintholithi. In this Clafs Lime
ranks all the foffil Shells. The Stones
under this Title are fuppofed to have |
been originally a Kind of Coral, which, |
by being buried in the Earth for fome
confiderable Space of Time, has at length
arrived to a State of Petrifaction ; but
the
if dia jj
the Nafne imports, Earth Worm Stones,
upona Suppofition, ‘that thefe foffil Ho-
heycombs, and all the other Kinds of
Stones having regular {mall Cavities,
both round and ftellated, like the fubma-
rine Corals, might be formed by Earth
Worms, which working many Paffages
through the. Matter whereof the Stone
was afterwards formed, occafions . thofe
Diverfifications in the Stru€ture of them. |
But this is far from the Truth ; for, was
it fo, all the Perforations would be round,
or at leaft. approaching to a. circular Fi-
gure; whereas many of them are ftella-
ted; and there could not be that Recu-
Jarity in the Pofition of the Cavities, as is
to be obfervedin thefe Stones, fince itisnot
to be fuppofed, that Worms make their
Paffages in the Earth at any fixed Di-
Stance one from the other. Thefe Kind
of Stones. are generally found in the
aig both here and abroad. ~.
Our next Attention is claimed by a
great ‘Number of foffil Shells, which are
| pahiicd preferved
if 1a 1
preferved in this Room; we muft make |
a few Remarks on thofe contained under '
each Title.
Shells, as Foffils, are ome into
three Clafies. ) J
rift, Thofe that are found in their na- |
tural State, without the Addition of any
other Matter, or the Change of their |
Subftance.
2dly, Thofe that are petrified, mite
the Shell fill preferved.
gdly, Stones in the Form of Shells, —
but without any Remains of the Pattern |
Shell, which occafioned their em that mt
Form.
‘Countries of the World, and in many
Parts of England, particularly in the — |
Mines in Derdyfhire, in the Rocks at Be
resford in Staffordfhire, at Alftonfield, im
‘the fame County, and in great Abun- |
dance in Lincolnfhire and Glocefterfhire, ° a
befides |
4
~ |
7
- 1
= 's
——
The feveral Kinds of foffil Shells are ||
at leaft as numerous as thofe that are re- rf |
‘cent, and are found in the Earth in mot ||
[ ag* |
befides many other Places. They are fup-
pofed to have been either left at the uni-
verfal Deluge, or elfe that the Sea, which
was formerly more extenfive than it is
now, left thofe Reliéts behind it, on its
being confined to narrower Bounds.
~ The foffil Shells are ranked under the
following Titles.
Cochlites, Spiral or Snail Shells of various
Kinds; fome'of the Specimens have the
Shell entire, others are encrufted with a
| ftony Subftance, or quite petrified ; ; and
among them are fome Cafts of Stone
. b iieed in the Shell of a large Nautilus,
" which has fince eS no Remains be-
| ing left. |
~ Ammonite, Cornua Ammonis, nie Hots
of Fupiter Ammon. They are generally
called Snake-{tones, and are found in moft
| Parts of the Earth, but in England fineft,
and moft perfect. The Size of them is
various, from a Quarter of an Inch to
More than two Feet in Diameter, but
rarely fo large. It is a Matter of Sur-
‘a prize,
a a 1]
prize, that fo great a Number and Variety ! |
of them fhould be conftantly met with in
the Strata of the Earth, in Mines and
other fubterranean Places, when no fuch
Shells are to be found in their recent
State; this cannot eafily be accounted |
for, unlefs it be conjeétured, that the
Fifh which occupies the recent Shell, is |
an Inhabitant of the deepeft Parts of the |
Ocean, and that nothing lefs than the
Agitation occafioned by the univerfal De-
luge could remove it from its favourite
Concealment: If that be the Cafe, it is”
no Wonder-we find. not this Shell in its
recent State. There is-a {mall white Shell.
Fith of Barbadoes, which feems truly a re-
cent Animal of this Genus; and in chad
Eajft Indies there is another. {mall and
greyifh, but the large and beautifully
- marked ones are found only foffile. The
Snake-Stone is found of almoft all Sizes
in great Plenty in feveral Parts of England,
Pe VG Y er py |
Opracites,
ah
i ae |
Oftracites, petrified Sea Shelis of the
bivalve Kind; being plain and common
Oyfters of various Sizes; fome are found
fingle, or only a Pair of Shells; others in
Clufters, being a great Number of Shells
firmly united and cemented together. A
particular Kind of Offracites, with longitu-
dinal Sirie, are found in the Rocks at
Beresford in Staffordfhire. :
~Anonice. Couche Anomie, are a Sort of
bivalve Shell; the Valves of which are of
unequal Extent, both of them convex,
and the Head or Beak of the longer Valve
crooked , and falling over the Head of the
others they are commonly called beaked —
€ockles. No Name has been given to
the Fifth that inhabits it; for the recent
Shells of this Kind are fo very rate that
there is fearcely one to be found perfect.
‘They are perhaps, as well as that-which
esgic its Form to the Corwu Ammonis,
Inhabitants of the deepeft Parts of the
Ocean ; ; confequently it muft be fome ex-
sraordinary pee of that ‘great Body
of
il er.
of Water that can bring them at all-to
our Knowledge in their recent State.
Thofe of the foffil Kind are numerous _
enough in many Parts of England, and ©
particularly in G/oceffer/hire, and fome other
Counties, they are as common on the
ploughed Lands as Pebbles in other
Places. Many of thefe Shells have the
outward Surface fmooth, and fome of them
have Ridges and Furrows, or are other- —
wife irregular on the Outfide, and are an- : |
gular or corner’d inftead of having circu
lar Rims. a
Cenchites, fome Specimens of bivalve
Shells, being foffil Oyfters and Mufcles,
with circular Lines on the Outfide of the
Shell. Thefe Kind of Foffil Shells are
often found in the Mines in Derby/hire, |
and in the Rocks at Aeon in Stafford
Par bi BEE. hs
Peétinites, Foffil Shells of the {collop
Oyfter Kind; they have longitudinal Lines
or Furrows on the exterior Surface of the
Shells
oe a
Shell ;. they are alfo generally auricu-
lated.
Echinites, petrified Sea Urchins, or
Hedeehogs. Here are a great Variety
of Specimens of this Kind of foffil Shell ;
fome of them are filled with Spar or Flint
formed within the Shell; others have their
Cayities taken up by various Kinds of
earthy or ftony Subftances; this is for
the moft part governed by the Nature of
the Place or Bed in which they are found.
Some of the Specimens have their Surface
fmooth and even, in others it is covered
with a Mixture of Excrefcences and Ca-
yities, or diverfified with beautiful and
regularly difpoied Lines ; their Size and
_ Form is various, according to their dif-
ferent Kinds. The Spines of thefe foffil
Shells are generally found near them,
| and of the fame Subftance: They
abound moft in Chalk Pits. The Lapis
Fudaicus, found in Fudea, is of this
Clafs : They are often called O/ive
| Stones, from their bearing m Figure fome
| Re-
| sas y
Refemblance to an Olive. It is in realit
the Spine of an Echinus filled with spurt
it is very beautifully fluted and ftriated —
longitudinally ; it is common in Syria, a
{ometimes found with us. a
QO
Belemnites, vulgarly called Thunder- 4
bolts or Thunder Stones. They are com- —
pofed of feveral Crufts of Stone encircling —
each other, of a conical Form, and va- —
rious Sizes ; ufually a little hollow, and
fomewhat tranfparent, formed of feveral
Strie radiating from the Axis to the Sur-
face of the Stone ; ; and when burnt or
rubbed againft one another, or fcraped
with a Knife, yield an Odour like rafped
Horn, their Size is various, from. a quar-
_ ter of an Inch to eight Inches ; and their
Colour and Shape differ. They are fup-
pofed to be originally either a Part of —
fome Sea Production, or a Stone formed
in the Cavity of fome Worm Shell, which —
being of a tender and brittle Nature, has.
perifhed, after giving its Form to the —
Stone. They are very frequently found
in .
Boa. 89 7”)
in many Parts of Exgland ;, and the com-
mon People have a Notion that they are
“always to be met with after a Thunder
Storm. ‘They are often enclofed in, or
adhere to other Stones, and are moft
frequent amoneft Gravel, or in Clay ;
they abound in Glocefferfhire, and are found
near Dedington in Oxfordfhire, where they
fometimes contain the Silver Marcafite.
_ Afierig, Star-ftones. Thefe are fmall
fhort angular or fulcated Columns, be-
tween one and two Inches long, and fel-
dom above a third of an Inch in Diameter :
compofed of feveral regular Joints; when
feparated, each refembles a radiated Star ;
fome have four, others five Rays or Points,
either fharp or rounded. The feveral
Joints in the fame Specimen are ufually
of the fame Thicknefs. The 4feria is
alfo called Aftrites, Aftroites and Afterifcus.
They may be reduced to two Kinds ;
thofe whofe whole Bodies make the Form
of a Star, and thofe which in the whole
| are irregular, but are adorned as it were
| with
[| Saad Sf
with Conftellations in the Parts. The —
Quality of moving in Vinegar, as if ani«
mated is fcarce perceivable: in the latter
Kind, but fignal in the firft. They a a |
not without Reafon, fuppofed to be a
Part of fome Sea-fifh petrified. . The
Curious frequently meet with them in —
many Parts of England: at Cleydon in Ox-—
ford/hire they are found rather larger than”
common, but of a fofter Subftance ; for,
on being left a fmall Space of Time in a
ftrong Acid, they may ealily be feparated
at the Joints in fmall Plates. |
The Trochites and Entrochi are nearly of
the Subftance and Size of the Afteria, and |
of the fame animal Origin, but not ful-
cated ; compofed of a Number of round —
radiated Joints, refembling in fome mea-
fure fo many fall Wheels, and generally : |
found in Strata of Clay here and abroad..
The Aferie are often picked up at |
Cutworth in. Northamptonfhire, at Shug-
bury in Warwick/lire, and about Belvoir- |
Caftle Ff
Caftle in Lincolnfhire , a fmall Kind are
found near Laffington in Glocefterfhire.
|.
_ Ichibyolithi, petrified Parts of Fith.
Among the Specimens ‘are Slates of va-
rious Colours, with natural and diftiné
~ Marks in them, reprefenting the Skeleton
‘of fome Fith, or the Parts thereof.
In the Mines in Derby/hire are found
the petrified Bones of many Kinds of
Fifth ; fome of them bear an exact Re-
- femblance to the Vertebrz of a Flounder.
- Under this Title we take Notice of
| the Gloffopetra, formerly fo called, becaufe
it was imagined they were petrified -
Tongues ; but they are in truth the
| Teeth of Sharks and other Fifth, fome-
times adhering ftrongly, and partly bu-
| ried in a ftony Subftance, at others loofe ;
our more modern Naturalifts have very
properly called them Ichtyodontes.
© Under this Title are alfo depofited
fome Specimens of the Bafonites, or, as
_ Dr. Hill more properly calls them, Lyco-
dontes, as they are found to be the Denies
t G Molares,
it 122 a
trified. They are grote in England, »
Germany, and more particularly in the |
Ifland of Malta; they are commonly —
called Toad-ftones, and are worn in
Rings, having many imaginary Virtues
attributed to them. 4
‘Siliquafire, many Specimens of the Pa- i
lates of various Kinds of Fifh — Petrified —
Crabs, found in great Plenty 1 in the Ifland
of Malta. ER
Zoolithi, petrified Parts of Land Ani- i
mals. Among other Specimens are the |
Grinders of an Elephant, Gc. In the
Mines in Derbyfhire are found Petrifac- 4
tions refembling the Feathers of Birds.
Phytolithi, petrified Plants. Here ate e
a Number of Pieces of Wood turned in- —
to Stone, Solas this Kind of shies ‘
is and paises ‘Stone, t
it may be polifhed like Jafper.
Tie,
eaten dea
: op. '
pee .
y EI- 4
i ee ie 2a
_ Under this Title are many Specimens’
of Slates and Pebbies, having on them
the perfe&t Fisure of Fern and other
Leaves ; in fome of them the Plant is
- immerfed, but projects from others of
the Stones. Thefe Kind of Slates and
;
a ——
Pebbles are frequently found at the Top
of Coal Mines. Some of the Mines in
Somerfetfhire have the Vein covered by .a
brittle Kind of foft Slate, which they call
there Wark: It is eafily feparable into
thin Plates, and, when divided, there is
:
found on one of the Plates a protuberant
~ Refemblance of a Fern Leaf.
At Stamfop in Staffordfhire are often
| found Stones in the Form oi. Vege-
tables of various Kinds; and fome have
‘the exact Figure of different Softs of
| Fruit, as Pears, €?c.. and many of them
refemble the Shell. of an Almond, or a
_ Peach-ftone.
_ Graptelithi, figured Slates. They are
a foft Kind of Marble, and have by Na-
ture delineated on them very lively Re-
G2 prefehtations
HE ea ie “-
prefentations of Shrubs, Trees, Land- :
fcapes, Ruins, &c. and are found in great —
Quantities in- feveral Parts of Germany, —
It is the Opinion of a great Naturalift, he
and there is a great Probability of its be-
ing the Truth, that thefe Figures are oc- — .
cafioned by mineral Exhalations, which
ftaining the original foft Matter of which —
the Slate is afterwards formed, the Traces x |
remain, and continue vifible after the 7
Slate has attained its ftony Confiftence, 4
whence that Variety of natural Pi@ures 7
to be feen in thefe Specimens. } 7
Terre, Earths, are the various Kinds
of eartlty Matter found in digging. They
are friable, opake, infipid Bodies, not in- a
flammable, vitrifiable by extreme Heat, %
diffufible in Water, and feparable from it
by Filtration. They are divided into —
fimple and compound ; the fimple com- |
prehends the Boles, Clays, Marles, Ochres, j
and Tripelas; the compound takes in
the Loams and Moulds. When ufed in :
Meacne, the different ‘Kinds have va~ “i 4
[ 125 J
rious Names, as Bolus Armena, Armenian
Bole, vulgarly called Bole Armoniac : the
beft is of a palith red, foft, and fattifh to
the Palate, and adheres ftrongly to the
Tongue: it is ufed as an Aftringent and
aVulnerary. Terra Lemnia, Terra Samia,
Verra Sigillata. —Thefe are all Aftrin-
gents and Abforbents, but have not
the Virtues of the Bolus Armena firlt
mentioned.
Calceuk, Stones or Balls found in the
Stomach or other Parts of the Inteftines
- of Animals. The largeft are found in
Horfes, and fome of an oval Shape in the
Stomachs of Camels. ‘The Rhinoceros
-fometimes has them; and hairy Balls are
fometimes found in the Maws of Oxen.
: This is the Cafe of thofe that are ftalled
to fat for the Market; the Beaft will
_ fometimes, when almoft fit for flaughter,
— fuddenly pine, and lofe its Flefh, conti-
~ nually licking its Hide, by which Means
_ the Balls of Hair gather in ‘the Maw.
. The beft Remedy is to turn him loofe
og G3 for
ff. toe 7
for fome Hours every Day in a good —
Pafture, by which Means he will foon
return to his thriving Condition, and fat |
apace, 5a
Under this head are depofited the Be-
zoars ; they are found in the Inteftines i
of an Indian Goat, and have been deemed _
of great Ufe in Medicine, but are not
now fo much in Efteem; they are ranked
among the Alexipharmics. The oriental .
Bezoar is moft valuable, and of them _
fuch are to be preferred as firike adeep
green upon a chalked Paper. It isvery
dear, and fhould be a chief Ingredient in
the Gafcoign’s Powder, to which it gives
its Colour ; but the expreffed Juice of ‘a
Violets has been often ufed for that Pur- |
pofe, inftead of the Bezoar. Nay, acer-
tain Profeffor of Phyfic told me fome ‘|
Years ago, that the Ga/coign’s Powder has
been imitated by only making Balls of
-Pipe-makers Clay mixed with Animal
Gall; and many were by this Means im-_ bE
| ae
| f 227 j
pofed on. -When Medicines are fo dear,
they are very liable to be counterfeited.
a The Stone found in the Chamoit,
Porcupine, and Monkey, are fuppofed to
| have the fame Virtues, being deemed a
Kind of Bezoar ; and moreover, there is
attributed to them a much greater medi-
cinal Power by many credulous People ;
for they have been often worn as Charms,
or Prefervatives againit Difeafes.
) The dargeft Stone of this Kind the Au,
| thor. of these Sheets ever. faw, er indeed
heard -of, to have been taken out of
the Body of any Animal; is now in the
Poffeffion of.a Miller, who lives at a little
Village near Bures.m Suffolk , it was
found in the Body of a Mare, which died
- foon after dropping a Foal. The Beaft
F perce in fuch Agonies, that the Owner
had the Curiofity to have her opened,
and by that Means difcovered this. won-
derful Stone.. It is nearly of a elobular
; Figure, of a brownifh Colour, and would
but a lay in the Crown of my Hat.
rat 4 The
[ 128 J
The Weight of it I do not recolleé& >
its Diameter might, at a Medium, be
eight or nine Inches : it was not, how- _
ever, fo heavy, as from its Size one would _
imagine, or as a natural Stone of that _
Size would be.
What we have laft to take notice of —
under this Title, are the feveral Speci- —
mens of Stones extracted from human —
Bodies, the larger from the Urine Blad-
der, the fmall from the Gall Bladder, and +
the others were formed in the Kidneys, —
There are fome which were occafioned
by the Party’s fwallowing the Stones of
Cherries and other Fruits, a Cruft of fto-
ny Matter firft gathering on them, they _
afterwards increafe in Bulk, and caufe
the moft violent Pains, not unfrequently — ;
Death itfelf. Many Remedies have been —
offered to the Public for this dreadful —
Diforder, but none of them are to be
depended on; fome not anfwering the
Purpofe intended, others being too rough hy
in their Operation. A proper Stone :
: | Diffolvent
Pf i29- ]
Diffolvent would be a great Acquifition.
to Medicine.
We are now come to a Part of the
Mufeum which will, it is imagined, par-
_ ticularly attract the Attention of the La-
dies; I mean, the recent Shells preferved
in this Collection: but it will not be
poffible in the Compafs of this {mall
Work, to make fuch accurate Remarks
on them as is due to the Singularity and
Beauty of many here depofited. I muft
recommend to my Reader to attend to
the Specimens, which are very numerous,
as we fhall only notice a few of the moft
curious under each Title. The Virtuofi
may find almoft every Species that is
» now known among the Univalves and
_ Bivalves, the Multivalves not being yet
exhibited to public View in their Order ;
but the particularly curious may fee
many Specimens of them, if they requett
at of the Officers of the Houfe.
' Inthe Remarks.on this Collection of
recent Shells, they will be taken in the
Gs os Qader
[ 130° ]
Order in which they are now depofitec {
under their feveral Titles: a fmall D 2 |
fcription of each Kind, and the Names .
of afew of the moft remarkable Shells,
will be fufficient to anfwer our prefent:
Purpofe.
One of the large Tables contains a
Part of the Univalves, or Shells confift-—
ing of one Piece or Part.
Echini Marini. Thefe are fometimes ©
called Centroniz and Cidares. The Sea —
‘Hedgehog, or Urchin, the Sea Egg, or |
the Sea Cake, are the Names of the dif. 5
ferent Kinds of it in Englifh. Mott of —
them are of a globular Figure, fometimes _
“with, at other times without, Spines, be- —
fet with a great Number of regularly
ranged Tubercles, and with Apertures -
‘more or lefs in Number, as far as fix or
feven. Many of them are of a flat de-/
- prefled Figure, when they are called Pla-
, centee, or Sea Cakes, and they are not
unfrequently inclined to an oval Form, |
when vais bear the Name of Sea Eggs.
= - — When
fi kept]
| When the Fith that inhabits this Shell is
alive, it is generally armed with a great
—_
Number of Spines, or Prongs, which are
moveable at the Animal’s qian by
means of Mutfcles that communicate with
the Spines through the Papille of the
Shell. The Animal ufes thefe Spines
_ both for its Defence, and inftead of Legs
to enable it to move from Place to Place.
When the Fifh dies, thefe Spines are ve-
q ‘ry apt to fall off, which difcovers the Pa-
pillz to which they were joined, and a
| great Number of regularly difpofed Ex-
«refcences on the outward Surface of the
_ Shell, wherever there was a Spine, one ©
amay perceive the Shell perforated.
» Among the Specimens of the Echini
are the round Sea Eggs, with beautiful
_ Ranges of Tubercles ; the rounded fiat-
| tith Sea Eggs, with large Papille, each
f fet round with {mall ‘Lubercles ; the oval,
z flat, radiated, and undulated Sea Eggs,
| s#ithout Spines many flat Placentae, or
> Sea Cakes ; fome few. of the Specimens
ri a ee Oe. yet
‘fee
yet retain their Spines, by which may be
feen the Manner of their Difpofition. ;
Echinerum Radiol. Many Specimens —
of the Spines of the different Kinds of
Echini, preferved in their recent State
as they drop from the Shell; they differ 7
in Length and Thicknefs, fome of them 4
being very fmall and fharp, others large Pi |
and obtufe. ps
Patella, Limpet Shells ; thefe are of a |
gibbous Shape, the Apex or Summit of ©
the Shell is fometimes whole, at others per- "
forated ; not unfrequently fharp pointed,
oftenobtufe. The Fithadheres very firmly
to the Rocks, and is covered by one of ©
thefe Shells. Some of the Specimens
here preferved are very curious; many |
have circular Ridges, others are radiated. |
The Deck and Chambered Patella are |
worth Notice; in fome, half the Circum-
ference is dentated, not unlike the Wheel — |
of a Watch. They are chiefly found in i
“the warmer Climates, particularly the :
bef Indies and South America, sf
J | Mures
[sags
_ Aures Marine, Sea Ears, commonly
‘called the Ear Shell. This is of a broad
-and flattifh Figure, inclining to oval, al-
moft fpiral at one Extremity, and has an
Aperture nearly as large as the Shell,
round the Edge of which are more or
Jefs Perforations, and the Marks of others
that do not go quite through the Shell.
-This is no uncommon Shell; it is there-
fore needlefs to enlarge on it, the Speci-
mens exhibited will give the Reader a
fufficient Idea of it.
Cochlee, Sea, Land, and frefh Water
Snails; thefe are a fpiral Shell, with a
deprefied Clavicle, are umbilicated, and
have a Surface fometimes fmooth, but
‘more frequently furrowed, or covered
with Tubercles ; the Mouth of this Kind
-of Shell is circular. Among the Speci-
_-mens under this Title are, the Belted
Snail, the Ribbon Snail, the Cornu Am-
_ monis Cochlea, fome very curious Snails,
'
|
whofe fpiral Turns are reverfed, and
_- others are dentated ; and in a few the |
fpiral
[ 134 ]
fpiral Turns of the Shell are in Part co- —
vered by the laft Volution. :
_ Nerite, are a Kind of femicircular —
mouthed (femilunaris) Cochlea, often —
dentated ; fome have exerted Apices, —
others depreffed, and many of them are ‘
umbilicated: they generally inhabit Ca- _
verns on the Sides of Rocks, where the —
Fith ftick faft tothe Stone. Of the Spe- |
cimens fome are fafciated, others reticu- ”
lated, and in Colour various, as white, y
green, black, and yellow : Among them {
are many that are called Bead Shells, and 4
others Pea Shells. i?
Trocki, Top Shells, fo called from fome Ro
fmall Refemblance they bear to a Boy’s y
Top. The are a Kind of Cochlea,fome-
what approaching to the Form of a_
-Cone, but the Summit fometimes more j :
-deprefied, and they are not unfrequently |
--dentated ; the Infide of the Shell is of.a |
moft beautiful Mother of Pearl Colour ; |
“many are rough, others fmooth, fafciated,
or wavy; of all which there are Speci-
| mens,
E23 ]
mens, as well as of the prickly Trochus
or Spur Shell from the Za Indies, and
others.
. * Buccina, Glbdinigus Shells. This Kind
of Shell refembles in Form the Trumpet,
as itis reprefented in old Sculptures and
Paintings: It is a fpiral Shell with a wide
Belly, and a large, broad, and elongated
Mouth, of an oval Figure, with a crooked
Beak ; the fpiral Volutions of this Shell
differ in Number, being fometimes fix,
_ at others ten or twelve, and one Kind has
the Volutions reverfed.
Strombi, are a Kind of Turbines, the
- Tower of Babel, the Mitre Shell, the
Spindle, and fome others are ranked un-
der this Title; but they are feldom by
the Naturalifts mentioned as a diftin&
Kind.
Turbines, Screw Shells. This Kind has
: a long, wide, and depreffed Mouth, often
approaching to a circular Form, fome-
‘times dentated, at others not; it grows
“narrow towards the Bale, is auriculated,
and
[age TS
and terminates in a very long and fharp
Point; but the Form of the different —
Kinds of Turbo in fome Refpects varies. +
The moft curious Specimens under this
Title, and worthy Obfervation, are Uni- —
corn Whelks, Telefcopes, the Needle .
Shell, the Screw Shell particularly fo—
called, the Ribbon Turbo, the narrow me
fpired Turbo, and others that are varie-
gated with Tubercles, and ftriated Lines —
of different Colours ; but what more efpe- _
cially merits Attention among thefe Shells,
is the Wendel Trap, fo named by the —
Dutch, who find it in their Spice Iflands ; 5 i
it is often fold for fixteen and twenty —
Guineas, and fometimes more: In Eng
land it is called the Royal Stair Cafe. |
Murices. The Murex isa fulcated Shell, —
befet with fmall Spines and Tubercles S
with a rough Clavicle, exerted near the
Summit in moft Kinds, in others de- t
preffed; the Mouth is long and always
expanded, fometimes dentated; in many
the a is digitated, in others elated,
folded,
te
2G ae
folded, or jagged; the Columella is fome-
times rough, at others fmooth: Under
this Title are to be feen Wing Shells, the
Mufic Shell, the ribbed Mufick Shell,
the brown Murex with many Spines, the
Turban, the Helmet, a Variety of yellow
Shells, and many Spider Shells: The Fifh
that inhabits the Murex, furnifhed the
ancient Greeks and Romans with that cu-
tious Dye, which was in fuch high Efti-
mation among them. We mutt now con-
duct the Reader to the other Table,
which contains the Remainder of the
Shells. ~
- Purpure. This Kind of Shell is jagged,
and befet all over with Tubercles, Spines,
Umbo’s or Strie; the Mouth or Aper-
ture is fmall, and approaching to a cir-
cular Figure; the Tail is fhort, and the
Bafe ufually runs out into a long Beak :
This is a very beautiful Species. Among
‘the Specimens are the Woodcock Shell,
the thorny or prickly Woodcock, the
Endive Shell, the Caltrop Sheil, and
Y many ’
if 138 Hees
many others. The Spines of the Purput:
- differ, being more or lefs fharp, and it
~ Number various; both this Kind and the
Murex are found in great Plenty in th ;
ee of Tarentum. Fe
Deka, Tun Shells. Thefe havea glo-
bofe or round Belly, a Jax Aperture, or
Mouth, fometimes fmooth, at others d ed
tated; the Clavicle is either very Vitel 7.)
umbonated or depreffed; the Columella
in fome Species fmooth, in others wrink- —
led; and the outward Surface is always
varioufly fulcated, therein differing from
the Bulla. Among the Specimens, shale |
moft worthy Notice are the Ethiopian
Crown, the feveral Kinds.of Harp Shells,
the variegated ribbed Tun Shell, fome %
Perfian Shells, and many others, which j He i
would take up too much Room particu
larly to mention.
- Bulla, Boat Shells, are a Kind of Dobie 74|
but differ from them in that their Surface |
is {mooth, whereas the .Dolia are always —
fulcated the fpiral Volutions of this Shell
; | in
:
;
|
;
|
;
[ 139 ]
| in fome Kinds are not contiguous near _
- the Clavicle, and are frequently armed
there with Spines. The Gondola Shells,
the Perfian Crowns, and many Shells that
-refemble Figs and other Fruit, are de-
| pofited under this Title.
_ Rhombi Cylindri, Olive Shells. This
Shell is often ranked among the Volute ;
but it differs from it, in that the Voluta
is of a conic Figure, whereas this Kind is
neatly of an equal Size at both Ends: It
isof anoblong cylindric Form, has an ob-
long Mouth or Aperture, and the Cla-
vicle is not unfrequently feparated from
the Body of the Shell by aCircle; the Co-
lumella in fome fmooth, in others rough.
Some of the Shells of this Kind are called
to
Stampers, others Mafks.
Volutz, Volutes. ‘This and the Kind
laft mentioned are often ranked under the
fame Title. The Voluta is of a conic
Figure, has an oblong Mouth or Aper-
| ture, the Clavicle fometimes erect, often
“deprefied, in fome Specimens coronated at
| ” daas ee the
[ 140 ]
the Top. One of the Extremities of this
Shell is of a pyramidical Fieure, the other
formed into high Ribs which conftitute
a depreffed Clavicle, or a dentated Crown; —
the Head is feparated from the Body of
_ the Shell by a high Rib. Among the ~
Specimens are the Admiral, Vice-Admi-
_ val, Tyger Shells, Hebrew Letters, the
Onyx Shell, many coronated Volutes, and
feveral Kind of Leopard Shells. 7
Porcellane, Porcellain Shells. The Por- |
cellana is of a conglobated oblong gib-
bofe or umbonated Form, and has for a
Mouth or Aperture, a long and narrow
Slit, dentated on each Side. A few of
the moft curious of this Kind are, the
Arabian Letter Shell, the Map Shell, the
Argus, and Falfe Argus, the Tortoife Por-
cellain, the Beetle, the Chinefe and Boat
Porcellain, the Atlas Porcelain, Mole Por--_
cellains, and one Specimen of that Kind
called the Weavers Shuttle. The com- -
mon Cowries, or Guinea Money, come —
under this Title.
Nautilt, —
L 141
_ Nautil:, Sailor Shells. The French call
this Kind Le Voilier... It has been. con-
jectured that Vien firft learned the Ufe of
Sails irom the itttle Fifth that inhabits it.
It often fwims on the Surface of the Sea,
throwing outa Membrane that ferves it
inftead of Sail; and it has other Parts
ae it ufes as Oars and a Rudder. — It
is a {piral Shell, with a large and roundifh
Aperture ; the lait Volution is remarkably
darge in Proportion to the reft, otherwife
not unlike fome Kind of Snails that have
deprefied Clavicles. The whole Shell is
by Partitions divided into feveral Cham-
bers, which communicate one with the
other by Means of a finall Pipe in each
Partition. Among the Specimens, one
of the Shells is cut vertically in fuch a
Manner as to difcever the different Con-
camerations. Worth obferving are the
fmall thin Nautilus, the Paper Nautilus
from the Mediterranean, and fome from
the Eafe Indies, in Size various, many in
their natural State, others polifhed. It
has
Tye a
[ 142] .
has been conjeGtured that the Coin Aine :
monis, Gefcribed among the foffil Shells,
‘takes it Shape from fome Species of the
Nautilus; but this is far from being
afcertained. a
Dentalia, Tooth Shells. This is a fhelly
Tube, refembling the Tufk of an Ele- —
phant, or the Horn of fome Animal, |
which is a little bent: Some of them are
fmooth, others ftriated ; the fmooth Kind —
are white, and not unfrequently tipped
with red; the others often white, fome=
times green. The common Tooth Shell, —
the Dog Tooth Shell, and others are to.
be feen among the Specimens. i
Vermicularia, “Norm-fhells, are of a
very irrecular Shape, and nothing but
a Kind of teftaceous Covering the Sea
- Worms inhabit. They are generally found — at
‘in Clufters, often flicking to the Bottom i
of Ships after a long Voyage. |
We are now come to a Conclufion of | A
our fmall Remarks on the Univalves, and —
.
|
y
muft in a regular Progreffion proceed tore
ah 4
: [ x43 J
take Notice of the Bivalves, with which
the Remainder of this Table is filled.
‘Oftrea, Oyfters. This Shell confifts of
two Parts joined together by a Hinge,
being a ftrong Membrane; one of the
Parts of the Shell is moft frequently flat,
the other moderately globular, and have
circular Strie; but their general Form is
various, in the feveral Kinds. We find
here preferved a great Variety of the
fcarcer Sorts ; among the reft, the Thorny
Oyfter, the Prickly Oyfter, the Hammer
and Saddle Oyfter, of which fome have
the Valves joined in a Manner more par-
ticularly refembling a Hinge. Here are’
alfo fome Specimens of tranf{parent round
flat Oyfters, ufed in fome Part of the Ez#
Tndies inftead of Glafs.
_. Peéines, Scollop Shells, are of a flatted
Shape, and the Valve fhut clofe in all
Parts. They differ from the Oyfier in
that they are auriculated, and are ftriated
in the Manner of a Comb, longitudinally.
The mott curious of this Kind are the ~
is toe |” yea BA
=,
Mantle Scollops of various Colours, par-
ticularly the Ducal Mantle, the Marbled
Scollop, the Coral Scollop, and others.
Cordia, Heart-fhells. Both the Valves”
of this Shell are convex, and they are not
auriculated, often confounded with the ~
Peétines. ,Venus’s Heart, the Noah’s Ark,
the Ox Heart, Human Heart, Thorny
Hearts and Speckled Heart Shells, are the
moft curious among them.
Chame. ‘This Kind is for the moft Part —
fmooth, though in fome Places a little
rugofe,; the Valves are equal, elate and
convex, and the Mouth gapes, being
clofed«in fome Places, not in others ; it
has longitudinal Furrows, and very deep,
fometimes is armed with Spines; it is of
a rounder Figure than the Tellina, and
thicker. The Concha Veneris, ufed by
the Ancients to form Baffo Relievos with
different coloured Grounds, in the fame ’
Manner our Lapidaries exercife their In-
genuity on Onyxes, was of this Kind.
The Roman Mantle, the Arabian Shell,
the |
[. 145 ]
the yellow Chama, the Bafket Shell, and ©
the reticulated white Chama, are curious.
Telling, are a Kind of beautiful Mutcles,
common enough in Italy, particularly about
Rome ; their Form inclines to an Oval,
and the Shell thin. For the moft part
when they are feen in Mufeums, the outer
Coat is taken off, which occafions their
Raving that {fplendid Appearance ; fome
fuch are to be feen in this Collection, and
others in their natural State. The flat
Tellina with white Fafcie, the broad flat
Tellina from the Weft Indies, the narrow
== ss th er rh CC CCC
*» -_
~ = actin
ov e
Tellina, and others, are worthy to be pre-
ferved.
~ Mufculi, Mufcles of the {maller Sizes.
Some of the Specimens have Pearls fixed
to the Infide of the Shell, occafioned by i its -
having been by fome Means or other ac- .
cidentally injured.
' “We have now done with the Tables of
Shells ; if the Remarks that are made on
them are thought too concife, it muft be
| = age that they could not be treated
Hi of
[ 146° ]
of more at large without fwelling thefe
Sheets to a larger Size than the Author i in-
tends they fhall extend to. Of the many
Readers which he hopes to have, moft of
them will, no doubt, think that Part of
the Collection which particularly fuits his
Tafte and engages his Attention, too
lightly treated of. But it is impoffible to
pleafe every one. Such muft with Pa-
tience wait till the general Account of
the Mufeum is publifhed at large by the
Officers of the Houfe. Their Curiofity
will then be fully fatisfied ; as, the Abi-
lities of the Authors confidered, the. Ca-
talogue will doubtlefs be fuch, as to merit
the particular Attention and Rie
ment of the Public.
The Reader muft now be direéted to.
the firft of the fmall Tables, which
contains a Number of Handles for Dag-
gers, Knives and Forks; fome Seals,
Heads of Canes, or walking Sticks, and
the Hilt of aSword. Thefe are all made
either of Agate, Mocoe Stone, Onyx, Corne=
lian,
fer: |
lian, Fafper, Bloodftone, or Nephritie Stone,
&. There are alfo fome Turkifh and
Perfian Daggers, fuch as it was formerly
cuftomary for them to wear at their
Girdles, and fome Knives with the Blades
inlaid with Gold. ‘There is one in parti-
cular which has a Point of Gold, and is
by many credulous People thought to
have been tranfmuted by fome Alchymift
who poffeffed the much talked of Secret
of the Philofopher’s Stone. 3
In the other {mall Table in this Room
are preferved a ereat Number and Variety
of Cups, Difhes, Boxes, &c. made of Agate,
Mocoe Stone, Cornelian, and Fafpers. They
differ much one from the other as well in
Form as Colour.
_ There is very little more to be noticed
‘in this Part of the Collection, if we except
a Set of Fioures reprefenting Miners, in
the ordinary Drefies they wear, in Bobe-
nia, Saxony, and other Parts of Germany.
With them are to be feen the Tools they
dfe in their Work; and here is alfo a
Bag View
|
[ 148 ]
View of a Mine, fhewing their Huts,
Ladders, &&c. The Crucifixes belong to
them, as being commonly feen about the
Entrance of Mines fituated in thofe Places
where the Roman Catholic Religion pre-
vails. But neither the Crucifixes, the —
View of the Mine, or the Miners, are fo
curious as to merit any particular Atten-
tion; efpecially in a Mufeum where there
are fuch a Number of Articles fo much
more worthy of Remark.
We fhall finifh what we have to fay of
this Room, by direéting the Reader to
the Tufks of an Elephant, one tolerably
perfect, the other half perifhed, and fome
other Bones of this large Animal. Thefe
are all faid to have been found in a certain
Place near Gray’s-Inn-Lane, very deep in
the Ground. It is not improbably fup-
pofed to have been the Remains of one
that was brought over here in the Time
that the Romans were Matters of Britain. —
CoLLECTYIO
— m9 |
CoLLrectio SLoANtIana.
The Reader will now prepare himfelf
for the Remarks that are to be made on
the Contents of the next Room, which
are no lefs curious and worthy of Notice
than thofe we have already gone through.
~ To begin with the Repofitories, or Cabi-
hets, the firft we meet with are
| . VEcGETABILIA. Fructus. LicwNa.
_* Under thefe Titles are comprehended
a great Variety of foreign Fruits, diffe-
rent Kinds of aromatic and other curious
Woods, many Sorts of Gum, Barks, and
a numerous Train of other vegetable Pro-
ductions. We fhall firft direct the Reader
to the Scythian Lamb, otherwife called
Baromez, Barometz, or Baranetz. It is
the Root of a Plant much like Fern that
grows in Mufcovy. It is faid that the Na-
ture of it is fuch, that it will fuffer no
Plant whatever to thrive near it. Its
- Root is covered by a fort of Down re-
fembling Wool, and there are Shoots, or
In 3 Fibres,
[ 150 ]
Fibres, which ferve well ‘enough to re-
prefent the Legs and Horns of the vege-
table Animal. A very little Help of the
Imagination makes it altogether a toler-
able Lamb. Many ftrange Qualities have
been given to this Production, and as
ftrange Stories told of it; fome having a |
defcribed it with a Skin like areal Lamb, _
but of a much fuperior Value; others
have faid that Wolves delighted to feed
on it, befides many more Fictions too te-
dious to take notice of here; infomuch
that fome were inclined to believe there
was no fuch Thing in Nature.
Here we find many Specimens of the
various Kinds of the Apocynum, or Silk
Grafs, common in the Ea and Weft In-
dies, where they apply it to feveral Ufes.
The different Kinds of Cotton are to be
feen as it grows in the Indies, fome of it
burfting from the Pod. .
A. great Number and Variety of Cala-
bafhes, of which the lndians of America
make many of their Houfhold Utenfils ;
fome
L mF ]
fome Sea Coccoons and Sope Berries,
Thefe laft are the Fruit of a Tree grow-
ing in fome of the eft India Ifands, and
_ Africa, the Pulp of which has all the
— Qualities of Sope.
- Echino Melocaftus, by Linnaeus called
|. Caftus, the Turkith Cap, or Thiftly Me-
lon. ‘There are many Kinds of this Plant,
which is extremely curious; they com-
| monly grow on the fteep Sides of Rocks
$n the warmeft Parts of America, their
| Root fhooting deep into the Fiffures of
_ the Rock, requiring very little Earth to
_fourifh them. Several Sorts of Spices
and Drugs, &c. as Cloves, which are the
Fruit of a large Tree, having Leaves like
the Laurel; it grows in the Molucca TMands :
the Oil extracted from them is often pre-
-feribed in Medicine. Pepper, as growing
on the Branches, it is brought from Mz-
_ labar, Sumatra, Mocho, and other Parts of
the Eft Indies. The Black Pepper grows |
Upon a weak climbing Plant, with large
oval pointed Leaves; that which pro-
ia H 4 duces
Lee]
duces the Long Pepper, is hot-very dif
ferent, and grows in the fame Places)
Pimento, or Famcica Pepper, erows on
a Plant not unlike that which produces —
the Clove, but not fo large. _Nutmess ~
crow in the Ifland of Bandz; in the Eaft |
Indies, and in fome few other Places, on ~
a Tree about the Size of a large Standard —
Apricot, which bears a Fruit not unlike ©
it in Shape and Size: its Leaf is like the —
Almond, but not ferrated; the Nutmeg
is contained within the Pulp of the Fruit, _
and the Mace cleaves clofe to the Shell of ;
it. Cardamoms are a Seed brought us F
from Fava, Malabar, and other Parts of
the Eajt Indies. Tamarinds are the Pro- —
duce of both the Indies, and the Fruit of
a large Tree of the Palm Kind ; they
make a pleafant Sweatmeat, and very
wholefome. . '
Beans of different Kinds, Colours, and —
Sizes. The Anacardium, Orientale &8 Oc-
cidentale, the Molucca Bean, and Cafhew
Nut; the firft comes from the Eaft Indies, |
| is Fi
Paes Ji
is enclofed in two Skins, between which
is a ftrone cauftic Oil, the Kernel is
pleafant to the Tafte. The other is in
Shape -like a Windfor Bean, with two
Skins, enclofing the fame Kind of Oil and
a Kernel; it is brought from Famaica.
_ There are frequently caft on Shore in the
north-weft Iflands of Scotland, a Sort of
Fruit, called by fome Orkney Beans, which
are not the Produce of any Part of Exrope,
but of America. Sir Hans Sloane procured
_ four Species of them, and found that he
had himfelf gathered them in the Ifland of
Jamaica. ‘The firft Sort was a Kind of
Kidney Bean, called by him the great
_. perennial Kidney Bean, with a great
crooked Lobe. This is a Native of the
Eaft and Weft Indies. :
| ‘The fecond Kind was the Horfe Eye
| Bean of Famaica, defcribed by Sir Hans,
and is found in other hot Countries.
The third Kind was that called in Fa-
__ moica the Afh-coloured Nickar Nut, from
_ being like a Nickar or Marble that Boys
ec eee His play
[i apa 3
play with. This is common in the Eaf
and Weft Indies.
The fourth Kind was a famaica Fruit
not yet fully known. It is not. eafy to
account how they fhould be driven to
fuch a Diftance from the Place of their —
Growth, unlefs by the Winds and Cur-
rents. 5 |
We meet here with the Heads and
‘Fruits of Palm Trees, and alfo fome Tea
Nuts, Cocoa Nuts, Acacia, Coffee Ber-
ries, which laft is the Fruit of a Kind of
Jefflamine, with a Leaf like a Chefnut,
and a white fweet Flower: It grows in
Arabia and the Weft Indies. Some Speci-
mens of Millet, Guinea Corn, and Maiz.
The Indians in New England, and other
Parts of North America, had no other ©
Vegetable but Maiz to make their Bread
of ; they call it Weachin; the Ear of Maiz —
yields more Grain than any of our Corn
Ears. There are commonly about eight
- Rows of Grain in the Ear (and more if
_ the Ground be good) each of which con- —
| tains *
—-_-
Co at]
tains at leaft thirty Grains, and thefé are
larger than any Grain of our corn; their
Colour varies. The Maiz of Virginia
erows feven or eight Feet high; that of
_ New England is fhorter, and the Indians
_ up in the Country have a yet fhorter Kind
in Ufe.. The Stalk of the Maiz is full of
Sap, and has much fweet Juice in. it, of
which in all Probability Sugar might be
made. We muft particularly take Notice
of the Bark Lace. The Tree that pro-
duces it is called Logetto, or the Bark
_ Tree, the inner Bark of which confifts of
Fibres difpofed m a reticular Figure, and
bears fome Refemblance to Lace. It is
often, by curious People, made up into
Ruffles, &c. Here is preferved a Kind
of Shirt or Garment of it, being the entire
inner Bark taken off the Body of one of
thefe Trees.
We now come to fome Roots, of which
there are many Specimens; as Ginfeng,
which is in high Eftimation in China and
‘Japan, being deemed an excellent Cepha-
H 6 lic,
[156 J
lic, and good for the Spirits and Nerves;
it ufed formerly to be fold for its Weight
in Gold in Europe, and is yet very dear in 1
the Indies, but not much valued here:
The Chinefe do not efteem that which
erows in America, valuing only their own.
Rattle Snake Root, Contrayerva, and |
others. And there are a great Variety of —
Gums, as Gum Elemi, Galbanum, Copal,
Styrax, €?c. and fome aromatic and other
foreign Woods.. Camphor, the Wood
from which the Gum or Rofin of this
Name is extracted ; it grows in China, and —
fome other Parts of the Eaft Indies. ‘The
Benzoin, which alfo produces aGum, and.
many others.
Spongie. In the Repofitory under this
Title are a great Number of Specimens
of the different Kinds of Spunge, fome —
very large. ‘They are a Sea. Produétion, iH
and have been long ranked among: the |
Number of Vegetables that the Sea pro- |
duces, but how properly is not yet by |
our
[57.7]
our modern Naturalifts abfolutely de-
termined.
The Repofitories that follow contain
the different Kinds of Coral under
their feveral Titles. It would take up
too much Room to enlarge on them;
we fhall, however, proceed to give the
Infcriptions, and a few Words upon
each Sort. The firft that prefents it-
felf is,.
Keratophyta. ‘This Title comprehends
the feveral Kinds-of black Coral, called -
allo Antipathes, Lithophyton, and Pfeudoca-
rallium. ‘The Specimens here preferved
‘confiftt of Sea Fans, Sea Willows, Sea
Firs, and others of the like Sort, having
their Names given them from a faint
Ee Refemblance they bear to thofe Things.
Coralia. A\l the. different Kinds of
‘Coral have, till of late, been ranked in
the vegetable Kingdom, being thought
to be Sea Plants ; but Mr. Ellis has pub-
lithed a Work, in which he endeavours to
prove aliey2 are of the Animal Kind: the
Matter,
Ci age
Matter, however, is not yet quite fettled
among the Naturalifts. Under this ge-
neral Hiead are fome Specimens of Coral
faftened to Pieces of Ships, on Bottles,
Pieces of Coin, &%c. in the fame Manner
that Barnacles faften themfelves to a Log
of Wood; and alfo fome of the black
Coral.
M<adrepora, comprehends all .the Corals
that have ftellated Perforations. The
Species of the Madrepora are by the
Naturalifts made very numerous. In this
Repofitory are feveral Brainftones, Sea
Mufhrooms, and many other Specimens,
fome white, and others of a red or pink
Colour ~°
Millepora. Ail the Corals that have
Perforations which are neither: ftellated
nor radiated, are ranked in this Clafs. -
‘The Specimens confift of many branched
Corals, fome large and very curious.
Efchara. Under this Title are depo-
‘fited a Species of Coral, fome of which
refembles woven Cloth, or the Leaf ofa
‘Tree,
E 19 J |
Tree, others Network. They confit of
the common retiporous Efchara, the foli-
aceous retiporous Efchara, and others,
‘fome of them very large.
Tubularia. ‘This Species is by Liwneus
ealled Tubipora. It is generally of a
purple Colour, and is compofed of many
hollow Tubes or Pipes of Coral iffuing
from the fame Stock. The Specimens of
it are curious, varying in Colour,
After having made thefe fhort Re-
marks on the Nature of the feveral Kinds
of Coral, it will not be amifs to mention
four Tables of Sea Produétions chiefly of
the Coral Kind, difpofed in their feveral |
Claffes in the Form of Landfcapes. They
are the Gift of Mr. iis, who, as the
| Reader has already been informed, has
wrote on the Subject. There being in
each of thefe Tables a thort Account of
_ the Contents, it is quite ‘aduiatnnea to
be more particular.
| Nidi Infeftorum, Nefts of Infe&ts. An
-Enguiry into this Part of Natural Hifto-
ry
[ 160 B.
ry is very amufing and entertaining, fo
great is the Variety contained in it; for
not only every diftinét Clafs of Infeéts has
a Manner peculiar to itfelf to preferve
and continue the Species, but every di-
ftinguifhed Part of each Clafs varies in
this Particular, yet all of them follow the
invariable Law that God and Nature has
taught them; affifted by an Inftiné,
which Man, with all his boafted Reafon,
cannot with any Propriety account for.
For Inftance, the Wafps do not? all
make their Nefts alike; fome are very
large, as a Kind of American Wafp,
feveral of which Nefts are here de-
pofited ; another, which comes from
Newfoundland, refembles a Rofe ; and
thofe entirely covered with Clay, which —
are of two Kinds, one plain, fabricated |
by a fmall black Wafp, the other is a
wreathed tubulated Clay neft, and thefe —
are built by a purplifh black Wafp; they
are both the Produce of Pen/ylvanias yet
all thefe differ from the common Wafp’s
Neft. There are many other Varieties in”
the 4
t 268 J
the Work of this Infect; but it would
take up too much Time to enlarge more
on the Subye&t, efpecially as what has
been already faid will be fufiicient to give
the intelligent Reader a perfect Idea of
the Author’s Meaning. The Study of
Natural Hiftory nauft always greatly con-
duce to the Honour of God; it ought,
therefore, on all Hands to be properly
Perens
We find here a great Variety of Spe- :
-cimens preferved of the Nefts of diffe-
rent Infects, too many to take particular
Notice of ; it will be fufficient, therefore,
to mention a few only to the Reader.
Befides the Wafps Nefts, there is a large
Hornet’s Neft, many Nefts of Spiders,
. fome Humble Bees Cells, Ants Nefts of
various Kinds, and from different Parts
| of the World. But what is moft worthy
-of Remark under this Head, is a very
curious Spider’s Neft brought from the
Weft Indies, to which the Infect has with _
_ great natural Skill and Ingenuity contri-
ved
[ 162 Jj
\
ved a Valve, or: Trap-door, to fecure the
Entrance, thereby defending its Progeny
from the Attack of fome Enemy of the
Species.
Nidi Avium, Nefts of Birds. This Ti-
tle affords as great a Variety as the laft,
and for the fame Reafons. It is impoffi- ©
ble to attempt noticing all the Nefts that
are here preferved as Specimens ; they 7
are both numerous and curious ; it will
be fufficient to point out to the Reader
a few moft deferving Attention, and
even of thofe little muft be faid. The
hanging Nefts claim our firft Regard, —
which aré made by Birds, Inhabitants of _
both the Indies; they hang by a flender
Filament to a fmall Twig of a Tree, and
ate by that Means put out of the Reach
of any Enemy of the quadruped or rep-
tile Kind. Thefe Nefts are chiefly made
of a Sort of Grafs without, difpofed in
the Form of a Net, and lined with dif-
ferent Kinds of foft Subftances within;
but there are Birds in Szderia, that make
hanging
E 163 ]
hanging Nefts of a very curious Stru€ure
of Spiders Webs. The Nefts of the va-
rious Sorts of Humming Birds are pretty,
particularly one, on which a very beauti-
ful Bird is fitting. The King Fifher’s
-Neft, and that of the Tom Tit, are not
unworthy of Remark, efpecially being the
Produce of our own Country. Here is
a Neft brought from Cambodia, and other
Parts. of the Ea/ft Indies, about the Size of
a Goofe’s Ege, and in Subftance not un-
like Ifinglafs ; being diffolved in Water,
it makes a fine Soup, whence it is gene-
tally called the Soup Neft : It is made by
-afmall Indian Swallow of a delicate Tafte.
_ Thefe Birds are feen at certain Seafons of
the Year, in vaft Multitudes on the Sea
Coafts, where in the Clefts of the Rocks
they build their Nefts of an hemifpheri-
‘cal Form, making them of a fpumous
| Matter which they find on the Sea Shore.
There is only one Kind of Neft more’ to
be mentioned, and we have done with -
this Title ; it is brought from both the
| 7 Indies,
f ey
Indies, and covered with Leaves, which
the Birds are faid to few together with — iP
their Beaks, whence they have the Name
of Taylor Birds.
Having given this fhort Account of | »
the Nefts of fuch Kinds of Birds as are |)
generally deemed moft curious, and me-
riting Attention, we are naturally brought Whi
to the next Repofitory.
Ova, Eggs, are very numerous: Let
it be thought fufficient, therefore, that —
the Reader be informed, that among
others, there are Specimens of the Eggs
of the Oftrich, the Caffoware, Owls and |
Eagles of various Kinds, Penguins, Cor-
morants,”Maccaws, fome Parrots Eggs,
thofe of the China Pheafant, King Fifher,
Mifcle Birds, and fome remarkable blue — '
Eggs from Virginia. There are alfoa |.
{mall Ege contained within another, very
curious ; fome that have irregular fur-
rowed Surfaces, and an Ege on which is oR
neatly and whimfically rivetted a {mall
Horfe Shoe. Befides thefe Eggs of |
Birds,
is
:
\
L 765
Birds, are fome Specimens of thofe of
Crocodiles, Guianas, Lizards, Turtles,
and Tortoifes.
_ Stelle Marine, Star Fifh. The Stellg
Marina is a foft Animal, compofed of
many Segments, running from a central
Part refembling the Rays of a Star, as
vulgarly painted. The central Part is
the Body, and has always a Mouth in its
lower Side; the Rays are equidiftant.
The Stella Arborefcens has the Mouth in
the middle; its Body is pentaneular,
and from the five Angles arife as many
_ Branches, which are divided and fubdi-
| vided till the exterior ones are no thicker
| than Horfe-hairs, and the whole in Num-
| ber amount to fome Thoufands. One
Kind of Stella Marina taken in North
America, is called the Bafket Fith, and
is of the fame Nature as the arborefcent
Star Fith and the Medufa’s Head. Thofe
| of the fmaller Kind are called on our
| Coatts, where they abound, Five Fingers. .
Some of the seul are very large,
the
f 166 ]
the Number of their Points or Rays be-
ing various. The reticulated Star F ifhy
called Medufa’s Head, is very curious ;
the Fifh, when alive and in its natural
Element, fpreads abroad a great Number —
of Fibres, which extend to a large Com- ©
pafs, and in Figure bear no diftant Re-
femblance to a Net, being perhaps in-
tended for the fame Ufe, to catch its —
Prey. |
Cruftacea. Under this Title are depo- —
fited a Variety of Crabs of different
Kinds, Colours, and Countries; fome —
Lobfters, Sea Locufts, Prawns, Shrimps,
the black Crab from ‘famaica, and others
from the Eaft Indies, finely variegated in
Colour ; but what really moft demands
Regard, is an extraordinary larce Claw of
a Lobfter. ,
Tefiacea, A Number of large Sea
Shells, as Helmets Buccina, €@c. In the
upper Part of this Repofitory is a Log
of Wood with a great Number of Bar-
nacles fticking to it. It was the Opinion
of
~
|
Pony J
of fome of our old Naturalifts, they were
produced on a Tree that grows on the
Sea Shore in the North of Scotland; that,
after a certain Time, the Shell dropped
its Contents into the Sea, and that it
there became a Bird called the Barnacle,
or Solan Goofe, or, as they fometimes
_named it, the Vegetable Goofe. But the
Error of their Conjectures has long been
difcovered ; the Barnacle is found to be
a Shell Fifth, which might fix itfelf to
thofe Branches of Trees that chanced to
be under Water ; and the Solan Goofe is
now known to breed like other Water
Fowls in the Northern Climates. It was
once thought, that Famaica produced a
Tree which bore Oyfters, a Miftake of
‘the like Kind with that already men-
tioned. We fhould be flow in giving
Credit to whatever appears to be out of
the natural Courfe of Things.
_ Under this Title is to be feen the Sol-
dier, or Hermit Crab from Famaica. The
Infting of this little Animal is furpri-
zing .
f 168* j
zing ; it is of the Crab Kind, but not
fatisfied with the cruftaceous Covering
Nature has given it, it feizes the firft
unoccupied Shell it meets with, proper
for its Purpofe, (fome have faid that it
will even drive the Fith out of it) and
fixing itfelf firmly in it, drags it about as
long as it lives, unlefs it fhould find an-
other more to its Mind.
~ We find in this Room two Specimens
of Fern of a very particular Kind; it is
produced in the Ifland of St. Helena, and
in fome Parts of South America , it grows
very frequently to the Size of tolerable
large Timber, and is fometimes applied
to the Ufes for which Timber is va-
luable.
~ Over the Repofitories are difpofed in
Order, a great Number of Sea Produc-
tions, of the Coral Kind, as Sea Fans, Sea
Willows, &c. and fome large Shells, as
Conchs, Buccina, Gc. together with a |
few of that Kind called Pinna Marina, q
which are a very large Species of Mufcle,
found —
[ 169 ]
found only in the Sea, chiefly in the
_ Mediterranean.
‘The three {mall Tables we muft not
“ pafs over in Silence. The firft contains
‘ fome Shells finely polifhed and carved in
* emboffed Work; the Figures on them
® are lively, and they are upon the whole
* remarkably elegant and beautiful, having
greatly the Appearance of Mother of
me Pearl.
~ Some Cameos cut in Shells, and many
“ more in Onyxes, Sardonyxes, Cryftals,
Hyacinths, and ‘other precious Stones.
“¢ Some Intaglios in Jafpers, &c.
Several Rings fet with Cameos, others
- with Intaglios of the Stones above men-
tioned ; and many antique Rings and
1) Seals, and fome Beads made of carved
Fruit piones. ~
‘In the fecond of the {mall Tables are
f | ! A {mal}
[ 170 J |
A {mall Half-length of Sir Thomas
_Grefham,, neatly carved in Wood in Re-
lievo.
Many Impreffions taken in Glafs Pafte
from antique Seals.
A Number of Impreffions shade in |
Sulphur, from the Seals, Gems, and car- —
_.ved Stones in the King of France’s Cabi- —
net. They area very curious Collection, 7
- the Subjects chiefly hiftorical. 4
The third fmall Table is entirely filled
with the Remainder of the Impreffions _
from the King of France’s Cabinet. |
The Reader muft now be conduéted
tothe firft of the large Tables, which ~
contains a great Number of Infeéts of §
various Kinds; thofe that firft occur,
are fuch as have moveable cruftaceous
Shields to guard their Wings. rs |
Scavab@i, Beetles. Thefe are a large Ht
Family of Infects, and are divided, by
Authors who have treated on the Subject, in
into feveral Claffes ; fome of them have —
Juminated Antenne, others fharp pointed; —
in 4\
Pages
in many Kinds, the outer Cafes or Shields
for the Wings are perfect ; in others,
only covering a part of the Body. Ina
few, the Antennz are inferted in a Kind
of Probofcis, or Trunk, and fome have
pointed Inftruments at their Head. The
feveral Kinds are difpofed under the Ti-
tiles that follow. Under this general
Title are found the Elephant Beetle, the
Rhinoceros Beetle, from the £af# and
| Weft Indies, the Cervus Volans, or Stag
Beetle, found in Efex, and fome other
' Counties. It is a very curious Infect, of
a blackith Colour ; the Horns are near
an inch and a half in length when full
grown, and fomewhat refemble thofe of
a Stag ; they can clofe the Points, and
ule them as a Crab does its Claws : near
the Eyes are two Pair of Antenne, the
Males are fmaller than the Females. The
Unicorn. Beetle, and many others, are
_preferved as curious Specimens.
: Dermeftes, Wood Beetles, are a Kind
of Scarabzeus, which are particularly di--
I2 ftinguifhed
[72.4]
ftincuifhed by having clavated Antenne.
Among the Specimens are the {potted —
winged black Dermeftis, the red legeed
black, and the hairy Dermettis.
Cafide, Tortoife Beetles. A {mall
Species of the Scarabzeus, with the Head
fefs prominent and vifible than’ in either
of the former. The Tortoife Caffida, the
feveral Kinds of black Caffide with more
or lefs Striz on the outward Wings, and
the green Caffida found in Gardens, are
to be looked for under this Title.
Coccinelle, Specimens of Lady Birds,
or Lady Cows, as they are often called,
variegated, and properly diftinguifhed,
This Infect is named Hemifpheria by Dr. —
Fill. |
- Chryfomele, a {mall Beetle with beaded —
Antenne, thickeft towards the Extremi-
ty; the Body is of an oval Form, the —
Thorax oblong and rounded. Some of —
them are of a blackith Colour, varioufly :
fpotted or ftriated, others green, rol |
ith, or entirely brown.
Curculiones,
| L193 14
Curculiones, A Kind of Beetle, with
L Antenne projecting from the End of a
| “Trunk, or Probofcis. The common
brown, the fhining brown, the purple and
black Curculiones, and the Weevil, which
deftroys fo much Corn in Granaries, are
of this Kind. | |
Cerambices, Capricorn Beetles, area Beetle
with very long flender-jointed Antenne ge-
nerally hanging over the Back ; they have
long and fender Bodies, and are fond of
Places in the Neighbourhood of Rivers,
The great fweet {melling Capricorn or
Mufk Beetle, by fome Authors more
particularly called Cerambyx, is a moft
beautiful Infeét; the others are of vari-
ous Colours, as grey, black, brown, gold-
coloured, and fome of a very beautiful
Violet Colour. The Capricorn Beetle is
| acurious Specimen.
Lepture, have four Wings, with An-
tennz oblong, flender, and fetaceous ;
the exterior Wings are truncated at the
| Extremity, and the Thorax is of a fub-
| I 3 cylindric
L 17g]
cylindric Figure ; they are generally
efteemed a Kind of Beetle, and are black,
_ Copper-coloured, red, &e.
Ditifci, Water Beetles, have fetaceous —
Antenne, and their Feet formed for
fwimming. ‘The common Water Beetle,
the large black Water Beetle, the brown
Water Beetle with prominent Eyes, the |
{mall brown Water Beetle, and others,
are comprehended under this Title.
Bupreftes, are of the Nature of Can-
tharides, or Spani/h Flies, are Inhabitants
_ of the Water chiefly, have the Head in —
part concealed, a very ftinking Smell, —
and bite feverely. They are faid todo —
- preat Injury to fuch Cattle as chance in 4
feeding to eat them. Of thefe the moft 4 |
- curious is the light green Bupreftis with 7 |
yellowifh green ftriated Wings: the large 7)
black Buprettis, or Tree Beetle, and the _
finall black Bupreftis, are of this Kind. E
Elatri, have a Body of an oblong flat- #
ted Figure, the Head nicely joined to the |
Shoulders, and Legs very fhort and flen- 4 |
ae |
: der. 4
der. The Elater, if laid on its Back,
has a Power of fkipping to a confiderable
Diftance. Some of them are black, others
of a changeable Brafs Colour, &e.
Staphilini, are a large and long black
Beetle, with flender beaded Antenne,
the exterior Wings dimidiated and fhort,
a fharp Fork at its Tail, and two Veficles
jut above it, the Body almoft naked, and
/is nimble, and very voracious. The
brown Staphilinus with blue Wings is a
curious Infect; a Number of them are
black, but diftinguithed one from the
‘other, either by the Legs, or by the Co-
Tour of the interior Wings. |
. Blattz, Mill Beetles, have long flen- .
der Antenne in continual Motion, and
wfually two Spines at the Tail:. The
Males have Wings, and are fmaller than
\ the Females. The yellow Blatta, a Na-
five of the Northern Countries, where it
| feeds on the dried Fifh, and a very large
r is
i L 175 J
E
|
| | Kind from Famaica, are of this Species. -
| I4 ; Gryli,
LC aes |
Grylli, Crickets, refemble a Locuft.
The Antennz of the Cricket has no Ar-
ticulations. In this Clafs Linmeus ranks
the Cicadze and Mantes. The common
Houfe Cricket, the Field Cricket, and
the great brown Cricket, are all that need
be mentioned, if we except the Mole
Cricket, found in fome Parts of England, —
which is a remarkable Infect. 3
Locufte, Locufts, are remarkable for
their hinder Lees, which are long, and
made for leaping. ‘They have articulated
Antenne, very flexile, the outer Wings
brown, the inner membranaceous, tran- |
{parent, and reticulated. The large com-
mon Locuft, the Grafhopper, and the
Spanifh Locuft, are of this Species.
| Mantes are of the fame Kind. Among
thefe we mutt reckon the common prey- —
ing Locuft, the large brown Mantis, the
flat fhaped Mantis, and the long winged
Mantis. Under this Title are, befides,
— fome very curious Specimens of what are
called in the Indies Walking Leaves, or.
Moving
Ae ty):
Moving Sticks, from the Refemblance
their Wings have to the Leaves of Trees,
and their Bodies to a Piece of Stick ;
-thefe are a very wonderful Kind of Infect,
_and worthy particular Remark.
Cicade, Balm Crickets, or Harveft
Flies. ‘They have four membranaceous,
and no outer Wings, have large Heads,
and in their whole Form are not unlike
that Kind of Fly which is vulgarly called
a Drone, but very much larger, the
_ fmaller Kinds being larger than the Hor-
net. They make.a Noife like a Cricket,
and are very numerous in the Southern
Parts of France and Italy, but we have
them not in England. The Specimiens
are of various Colours and Sizes.
Cimices, have a {mall Head, Shoulders
of an angular Make, Wings partly crufta-
ceous, partly membranaceous; they have
a long Probofcis, which is bent undef
the Belly, and always lies ftrait, not in a
1 fpiral Form : They are .of feveral diftin-
Ts - guifhed-
L978" 4
euifhed Kinds, and of different Colours,
as green, grey, black, red, Se. 7
» Notoneéiea, Boat Flies, a Water Infect.
Some Kinds have the Antenne fhorter
than the Thorax, others: have none; the
hinder Legs are formed for fwimming,
and fome Kinds {wim on their Backs. It
is only neceflary to mention here the
common Boat Fly, the {mall Boat Fly, the
large black Notonecta, a Native of the
Eaft Indies, and a brown Notonecta.
Nepe, Water Scorpions, have four
Wings, each of the fore Feet armed with
a Forceps, in Shape like a Crab’s Claw.
It is a thin and light Infect, yet a flow.
Mover ; its Head is fmail, and has a
fmall Probofcis ; the Body on the Back
is of a red Lead Colour, but a dufky
“brown on the Belly, and is covered with
‘akind of Scales; the Tail is long and J
ftraight, compofed of two tender Fibres, _ 4
which it feldom feperates : it livesamong | |
the Weeds in clear ftanding Waters.
Coce?, at
| [° 179]
. Gotci, Cochineal, is a {mall Fly that
feeds and breeds on the Leaf of the Jx-.
| dian Fig. This Infe&, when dried and
~ fent to Europe, is of great Ufe in dying.
Linneus mentions many other sapiak feed-
ing on various Trees.
- We muft now in Courfe proceed to
| the other great Table, where the Infects
are continued. |
_ Phryganee, are a Kind of fmall Fly,
not unlike the Gnat, but they have four
reticulated Wings, which are incumbent,
and have four Tentacula, or Feelers, two
on each Side. The black Kinds are va-
rious, and fome are of other Colours. Un-
_der this Title is the Ephemeron, whofe
whole Extent of Life is but a few
Hours. 7
Libellula, Dragon Flies, or Adder
| Flies, are a beautiful Infect, with a long
| various Coloured Body, and large reticu-
| lated Wings ; many of them in Colour
_ _ ‘black, or greyih.
incline to green or yellow, and fome
£
_ their whole Length, conic Antenne, gra-
Fea]
- Papiliones, Butterflies, have either but-
toned Antenne, clavated Antenna, or
gradually diminifhing, and terminated by
an oval Head. They are divided into
feven Claffes, each of which contain a
great Variety of Species. A very great
Number of Specimens from different
Parts of the World, curious and beauti-
ful, are here preferved ; fome were
caught at home. The moft remarkable
among them <are, a fine green Fly, the
Mother of Pearl, the Owl and the Pea-
cock from the Ea/t Indies, and a remark-
able fine purple Fly from the Weft Indies.
The Ladies may amufe themfelves with
looking at the great Variety here ex-
hibited. .
Phalene, Moths, have either prifmatic |
Antenne of an equal Thicknefs almoft q
dually diminifhing to a Point, or bearded }
Antenne ; and fome of them have |
Trunks, others none. They are a Kind |
of nocturnal sia flying only in the |
| Night 4 |
es as
Night, and are more numerous than
thofe properly called Butterflies, and are,
like them, divided into feven Claffes.
Some of them fill the Remainder of this
Table, the reft being in the Infeét Table
in the next Room. Many of the Speci-
mens are very large, particularly thofe
from South America.
CoLLEcTIo SLOANIANA:,
, We now enter upon another Room,
where, for the Sake of Regularity, I fhall
proceed to finifh my Kemarks, on the
Infeéts contained in the great Table.
\ Phalene.. Under this Title are the
Remainder of the Moths. :
Tenthredines. This Kind of Infe& is by
the French named Mouche a Scie, from its
having a ferrated Weapon, or Sting. In
Shape it is like a Bee, but in Colour ge-
nerally refembles a Wafp. It is a very '
_ gregarious Animal, but makes no Honey,
| -tho’ whole Swarms live together : it loves
“to be among Meat, as in Kitchens, and
| Lar-
[ eee
Larders, &c. They differ much in Size,
fome Specimens being very f{mall.
- Ichneumones. This Fly has two reticu-
lated Wings, flender Antennz, no Pro-
bofcis or Trunk, a long flender Body,
and two or three Filaments affixed to its
Tail; Their Colour is various, as black,
yellow, &c. and fome Specimens are
large.
Vefpe, Wafps. This Infeét has four
Wings and fix Feet, his Body is yellow,
with black triangular Spots. The com-~
mon Wafp breeds in the Ground. We
may here mention the Ichneumon Wafp,
. - which is a fmall Kind, with a very flen-
der Body. They live in Holes of Mud
Walls. The Hornet refembles the Wafp,
but is twice as large, and the Head of a
longer and flenderer Shape, and the Eyes
formed fomewhat. like a Halfmoon.
Here are various Specimens of the Wafp
of different Colours and Sizes.
“Apes, Bees. The Specimens are nume-
-rous of this ufeful Infect; fome are very
| {mall,
fr eee
{mall, others hairy, and afew black. Here
we muft mention the Humble Bees, the
Bedies of which are for the moft part
black, differing chiefly one from the other
in the Colour of their Tails.
Formica, Ants. Nothing need be faid
of thefe, but that the Females and Mules
_ have hidden Stings, the Males and Fe-
males Wings, the Mules none. They are
of many Kinds, as the common Ants with
Wings, the red Ant, the great American
red and black Ants, the little black Ant,
and the great Wood Ant. _
- Yabani, Horfle Flies, have but two
_ Wings, and are of various Colours, as
black, brown, yellow, We.
CE firi, Gad Flies, or Breeze Flies. Thefe
have green Heads, and yellowifh Bodies,
large Eyes, and along Trunk; they fly
fwiftly, and without Noife ; they are met
with in the Neighbourhood of Waters.
The large black and yellow Gad Fly, and
the fmall Breeze Fly are of this Kind.
_ Mufcea, Flies, Here are to be found
Nata oe * " a
f+ sBe:, 7
& great many Specimens of Flies, com-
mon enough; feveral white winged Flies,
fome hairy, and others variegated with
black and yellow, or blue and green, and
many entirely black or yellow muft here
be mentioned.
Culices, Gnats, a troublefome Infect,
too well known from its fevere ftinging.
Some of the Specimens here fhewn re-
femble the Mofketo Fly of aoe and
the Weft Indies.
Aranee, (infects without Wings) All
Spiders have a Weapon iffuing out of ~
their Mouth, are covered with a Sort of
cruftaceous Coat, but it is tender and brittle,
have two Antennz, compofed of a Num- |
ber of Joints, the Head fixed to the |
Shoulders, and have eight legs; in the |
reft they differ. Here are many Speci- —
mens, and among the reft, the Italian ‘|
and Weft Indian Tarantula, a
Onifzi, Wood Lice, or Millepedes. This |
Infect is fometimes called Afellus; they | |
are divided into feven Species, fome rare; af
one |
E 5 ]
one Kind from Cornwall has long An-
| tenne, is near an Inch in Length, and -
_ diftinguifhed from the other Kinds by the
Shape of its Tail, which is a flat Lamina
_. with three Points.
Scorpiones, Scorpions of different Sorts
from various Parts of the World, differing
in Size.
luli, Gally-worms, are a Kind of Infect
with along Body, compofed of a great
Number of Rings, with many fmall Feet
and beaded Antennz; they are generally
of a ferrugenous dufky or blackifh Colour,
- living for the moft part under Ground,
and when touched will roll themfelves in
aBall.
: Scolopendre, feveral Specimens of the
Centipes from America and elfewhere ;
they have flender and long Bodies, very
fmooth, and of a yellowith or reddifh Co-
jour, furnifhed with a great Number of
| Legs, two long Antennze, and a bifid
Tail. The Bite of this Infeéct is faid to
| be
EE eee
be almoft as dangerous as that of the
_ Scorpion.
- Aurelie, Aurelias, or Chryfalifes of fe-
veral Species of Infects.
Vermes, a mxcellaneous Collection of
Worms.
Nidi Infeétorum, fome Nefts of sae a
as Spiders, Bettles, Locufts, &c.
Nidi Serici, Coccoons of Silkworms.
Under this Title is a Ribbon made of Spi- '
ders Web, and fome Silk of the fame.
Teftudines, 'Tortoifes and Turtles of the
fmaller Sizés, finely variegated, and ful-
cated in their Shells.
- Avium Partes, Parts of Birds; they con-
fit of Heads, Beaks, Talons, Legs, Quills,
€?c. Particularly to be noticed are fome ©
Heads of the Rhinoceros Bird: This Bird
is a Species of Ludian Raven, 1s very ugly,
and has a rank Smell; it is larger than
_ our Raven, its Neck and Head thick,
has large Eyes, and its Beak is bent like
a Bow, having a large and thick Hora
like protuberance on its upper Part; the °
ie oo ad
_ Beak is of-a yellowith White below; above
_ towards the Head of a fine gay Red; the
\ upper Chap is ferrated. The Beak of a
Toucan, or Brazil Pye: This Bird is of
fe middle Size, between the common Mag-
| pie and the Thrufh ; it has a Beak thicker
and longer than its whole Body, hooked
at the End, and of a very thin light Sub-
| ftance, yet bony, with a fort of toothed
' Edge; its Head is large in Proportion to
| the Body, black on the Crown, the reft
_ of it with the Neck and Back flightly
variegated with White; the Breaft is
orange coloured, Belly and Thighs bright
| Red, Tail black, but red at the End.
| The Beak of a Spoonbill, or Platea, along
necked Bird, approaching to the Nature
of the Stork or Heron; its Beak is dif-
| ferent from all other Birds, being broadeft
| at the Extremity, and terminating in a
7 large rounded flat Procefs; the Bird is all
| over white, except the Wings, which have
| | fome Black; it builds in hich Trees in
| Aolland: And fome Quills of the Condor
eer are
fac 3
are preferved here; a Bird of fuch a pro-.
digious Size and Strength, as to be able
to carry a Sheep through the Air in its
Talons. So many wonderful Things have_-
- been faid of the Condor, that it was long
doubted whether there was fuch a Bird in
Nature: It is not known in Europe, nor
is it frequent in any Part of the World,
but has been feen in Perg.and Chili, in
South America.
_ Pifcium Partes, Parts of Fifth, confit
_ of Jaws, Palates, Teeth, Back-bones, Fins,
&¥c, of various Kinds of Fith.
- On the Shelves round this Room are a
creat Number and Variety of Articles,
preferved in Spirits, from the animal and
vegetable Kingdoms: They are, like the
re{t of this noble Collection, curious, and
worthy of very particular Obfervation 5
yet, it is neceflary my Remarks on them
fhould be but fhort. The firft Title that
prefents itfelf to our View, is
Quadrupedia, Quadrupeds. Among
thefe I fhall onl mention a few Speci-
mens ;
as nah — a ag
(
Li reg
meéns; as, the Armadillo, called by the
Natives Tatu, a little Animal covered over
with hard Scales, like a Sort of Armour ;
in its Head and Snout it refembles a Pig,
has the Feet of a Hedgehog, and is a ©
great Deftroyer of Sugar Canes in the
Brazils. The Sloth, called Hau by the
Natives of Brazil, of this Animal many
Stories are told, as that it is a whole Day
walking a few Yards; that it will crow
fat when it has got intoa Tree, but having
confumed all the Food the Tree afforded,
it will be nearly ftarved before it can get
toanother; if it is hurt, it makes a Noife
ike the crying of a Child, and even fheds
.| Years; his fore Legs are double his
hinder in length: Itis a very inoffenfive
and harmlefs, but not a very handfome
Animal. The Yerbua, a Kind of beautiful
| | Field Moufe, with a very long Tail and
.| hinder Legs, on which it generally walks
“| ere&. Several Kinds of Monkeys. The
frying Squirel, frequent in Virginia, which
has a Membrane reaching from the fore to
| the
[ 190. |
the hinder Legs, of the Nature of a Bat’s
Wing, and ferving for the Ufe of flying
from Tree to Tree, which it will do,
though they are at a confiderable Diftance.
Some Bats of various Kinds. A Hedge-
bog ; and the Opoffum, an Animal, which,
in Cafe of Danger, protects its Young in
a Cavity under its Belly; it is about the
Size of a large Cat, Head like a Fox,
fharp Nofe, {mall Teeth, two long before
like a Hare, {mall Eyes, long {mooth erect
Ears, black Whifkers; its Tail is round,
about a Foot long; it frequently hangs to
Branches of Trees by it; its hinder Feet
longer than the fore ones; five Toes, re-
femble a Monkeys; on the Back it is
blackifh, mixed with brown and grey,
and yellowifh on the Belly.
Under this Title are a great Number
of Fetus’s of different Animals, and fome ©
unnatural Produétions, among which is the —
Cyclops Pig, having only one Eye, and that
in the Middle of the Forehead.
Aves,
J
dy,
‘*
j
| f agi 4
Aves, Birds. We find here a great
N umber and Variety of Engli/h and foreign
Birds, brought from all Countries, and
preferved in Spirits. Among thefe I thall
firft mention the King Fifher, a very beauti-
ful Bird, approaching in many Things to
the Woodpecker, but that it has not two
Toes behind; the Legs of this Bird are
very fhort, black before and red behind;
its general Colours are green and blue,
and are very bright and beautiful. The
| Wheat Ear, which is fomewhat larger than
_ the common Sparrow ; its Head and Back
is of a greyifh Colour mixt with red; the
- Belly is whitifh with a glow of red; the
} Throat redder than the Belly; its Beak
is black, flender, and ftraight ; they are
by fome called the Engl/h Ortolan, fo
.) much are they efteemed at Table. The
. Crofsbill is about the Size and Shape of
.) a Greenfinch; its Beak 1s hard, thick,
-) ftrong, and black; both Parts of it are
crooked, fo that the Points crofs; its
Head and Back are variegated with black
| and
[ 192 J
and green; the Rump and Breaft are
green, the Throat grey, the Belly white, —
the Wings and Tail black and green ; it
feeds on Seeds and Kernels of Fruit.
There are feveral Specimens of Humming
Birds, it makes a Noife in flying like the
Humming of a Bee, and with its little
Beak, which exceeds not the Size of a
Needle, fucks the Juice out of Flowers
as it flies; itis the fmalleft of all Birds,
but of the moft beautiful and lively Co-
fours; there are feveral Kinds of them of
various Sizes, fome fo {mall as to weigh
no more than the tenth Part of an Ounce;
the Indians make very curious Pictures of
its Feathers; the Leg and Foot together
meafure but half an Inch, its whole Trunk
not an Inch. We muft next mention
fome Birds of the Titmoufe Kind, as the
Blackcap, the Blue Titmoufe or Nun, and the
Blue American Titmoufe, called in Brafil
Guizacencia; in this laft the Head, Throat,
Breaft, Belly, and the lower Part of the
Beak are of a fine blue, the Neck and #!
Tail. |
poe 93. 4
Tail black, the Legs brown, and the
Wings black, variegated with blue.
Among the Specimens here preferved,
the Reader will find a great Number of
others no lefs curious, and fome unnatu-
ral Productions, as a Gofling with three
Legs, &e, &e.
:
Reptitra. AMPHIBIA. SERPENTIA.
In thefe three Repofitories are many
amphibious Animals in Spirits. Among
them are Frogs, Toads, particularly the
Carolina and Bull Frog, and the Surinam
Toad, whofe Young are produced out of
‘} its Back ; fome young Crocodiles, Allegators,
)) Guanas, Cameleons, Salamanders, the flying
| Lizard, and other Kinds of Lizards.
The Serpents confift of Suakes, Slow-
worms, Vipers, Adders, Rattle-[nakes, Afps,
Hooded-fnakes, Coach-whip-fnakes, {0 called
from their extreme Length and Slender-
nefs, and fome Amphifbene, a Kind of
Serpent, whofe Head can fcarcely be dif-
at from the Tail, they moving
Te | _ both
L 194 J
both Ways, forward and retrograde ; they
_are brought from South America, and here
preferved in Spirits. "
Pifces, Fifh of many Kinds in Spirits,
_ and among others the Hippocampus, or Sea -
Horfe, the fying Fifh, the Remora, for- a
merly thought able to ftop a Ship under
Sail; Pearl Oyfters, the Fohn Doree, the
Sea Polipus, Barnacles, and many others, i
too numerous to take notice of.
Infeéia, Infeéts. Many Kinds of Cater-
pillars, Beetles, Locujts, Centipes, Scorpions,
Spiders, and Worms from human Bodies. a
Vegetabilia, Vegetables. Thefe confit |
chiefly of foreign Fruits preferved in Spi-
rits, and fpme of our own Produce, but |
of an uncommon Form. There are alfo |
under this Title a Colleétion of Oils, Bai- |
fams, and other chemical Preparations, ex-
tracted from Vegetables, chiefly the Growth : i
of the Haft Indies. ; 3 |
In different Parts of this Room on thea
Wainfcot over the Repofitories, &c. are
fome dried Animals, and fiuffed Skins of —
others, | |
[| agp ]
others, particularly fome /arge Bats, Turtles
and Torioifes, Sharks Faws, more Heads
~and Beaks of Birds, a very large fiuffed
Snake's Skin from Surinam in the Weft.
Indies, the . Skin of a fealy. Lizard,
fome s Lizards, Guanas, and the Skixz
of an Ant Bear, .a Flamingo, a young wild
Boar; a Porcupine, Armadillos, an Oron
Outou, or wild Man of the Mountains, the
Head ah a sy ane ere x ii eS and
2 ere: are a rte Variety od: Hons of
different Animals, particularly the’ fofiil
Horns of Moufe Deer, found in the Bogs
of ‘Ireland; “very: large, Horns ‘of ' Elks,
the Rhinoceros, Rein Deer, Antelope, and
[ Chamoife. Sir Hans Sloane’s famous horned |
Owl fluffed. Some Birds ruffed, placed in
Glafs Frames ; particularly a Bird of Pa-
| radifes' fore Humming Birds, Manakeens,
fome: of the Titmoufe Kind, a Virginia
‘ Nightingale, and a Tropic Bird : And there
fome Portraits of feveral Kind of Birds
taken from the Life. Se Hac
| «2 Tn
[196 J
- In a large Cabinet are depofited a preat
many dried Fifh, brought from various
Parts of the World; among other Speci-
mens are a /mall Saw Fifh, the Head of a
Sword Fifh, fome flying Fifh, a Dolphin,
a Sturgeon, a young Shark, a Porcupine Fyfh,
a Torpedo, or Cramp Fifh, 8c. |
Over this Cabinet 1s a fluffed Emeu, or ~
Caffowary, a Balearic Crane, or Crown Bird,
an Eagle, and aVultur.
There remains nothing more to be men-
tioned in this Room, but the Skeleton of a
very young Whale, fome Horns of the Uni-
corn Fifh, the Head and Paws of the Wal-
rofs, ufually called the Sea Lion, and the
Snouts of the Saw and Sword Fifh.
We now enter upon the laft Room of
this Department, which is filled with Pre-
- duftions of Art, difpofed in feveral Cabi-
nets; the Articles are indeed very nume-
rous, and would require a Volume to give
a Defcription of them alone; my Re«
marks on them will be but few.
In
t a |
- Inthe firft-Cabinet is a Variety of little
Afticles manufactured in Glafs, of different
Shapes, coloured, painted, and fpun Glafs ;
fome Czps, Difhes, and other Matters,
made of Papier Maché, refembling China
Ware; and other enameled and curioufly
manutactured Bagatelles.
In the next we muft remark fome Ar-
ticles in great Efteem among many Roman
Catholics, as. Relics, Beads, &c. and fome
| Models of facred Buildings.
_. We now come to the Uten/ils dog
Ornaments of the Indian Inhabitants of
_ the great Continent of North America,
as Feather Crowns, Necklaces, Knives, and
fome curious Contrivances for Combs,
| Brufhes, &c. an Indian Scalp, and fome
Wampum. Thefe are a Sort of Shells, ufed
_ as Money among the Indians, a String of
| Wampum is made of Shells, formed into
| fall Cylinders of a quarter of an Inch
‘Jong, and fomewhat lefs over, ftrung in
great Numbers on long Strings; it is
i ome and black, the meaneft is in fingle
: K3 Strings,
f noe J
Strings, of which the white goes at five —
Shillings a Fathom, the black ten, or by
Number, the white fix a Penny, the black ©
three. ‘The next in Value is that which is
wove into Bracelets, about three quarters
of a Yard long, black and white in Stripes,
fix Pieces in a Row, the Warp is Leather i
Thongs, the Woof Thread. The moft _
valuable of all is that wove into Girdles; |
thefe confift of many Rows: black: and
white, woven into Squares and other Fi-
eures 3 thefe are ufed in their great Pay- —
ments, they make their nobleft Prefents
of them, or lay them up as Treafure.
Here is alfo fome Caffada Bread, or Caffavis
this is made of the Root of a Plant called
Yucca, Manioc, or Manihot ; the Juice
of the Root is poifonous, but the dry
‘Powder of it nourifhing and wholefome: |
The Indians in making it rafp the Roots, |
prefs out the Juice in Bags, and. dry the i
remaining Matter over the Fire; they —
then make it into Cakes, which are either |
dried in the Sun or otherways; when |
thefe ©
a
*
.
~
[ 199 ]
thefe Cakes are thick they are called
Caffavi, or Caffada, and ferve the poorer
Sort ; the thinner are eaten by the Rich,
and called Seiam. |
In another Cabinet are European Pro-
_dudtions of Art, as fome /mall Cabinets,
| Figures in Bronze, and feveral Ivory ana-
tomical Reprefentations of Skulls, Eyes,
. Ears, &c. and fome fine Work of Turnery
and Carving.
_ We next fee fome Fapan Idols very {inall,
many cut out of Almonds, and evenGrains
of Rice; Eaft India Money; fome Chinese
Figures or their Gods, Men, and Bea/ts,
made after their Fancy, and dreffed in
their Fafhions, Part of them in Bronze,
_ the reft chiefly in Rice Pajte, called Congee.
. The Model of a Palanquin, a Kind of
| Chair of State in which the Grandees of
) the Eaf are carried on Mens Shoulders ;
| Cards, Dice, and other Bagatelles, Forks,
| Chopfticks, Back/cratchers, Steelyards, Weights,
and Beads for cafting wp their Accompts,
called Schwampam.
haa K 4 Some
[. 200 ]
Some China Paper, Womens Shoes, Pen-
dants made of Beetles, Inks of all Colours,
Rulers, fmall japaned Veffels, &c.
In the laft of the Cabinets that I fhall
mention particularly, are various Speci-
mens of curious earthen Ware, fome Por-
cellain Cups before they are burnt,-in fome
Meafure fhewing the Nature of the Earth
they are made of; fome other Cups, which
they fay the Chinefe made of Exgh/h Gravel
which happened to be carried over in one
of our Ships; and feveral Sorts of plain,
painted, and gilt China Ware of various
Shapes.
Under Glafs Bells are fome very curious
Pieces of Work in Ivory, particularly one
made by the late Queen of Denmark.
The Flower Pots in Ivory are very fine.
Some Models of Chinefe Grottos; a —
Model of Captain Gilbert, made in China —
of the fine. earth. The Root of the —
Tea Plant muft be noticed in this Place; :
this Plant grows in the feveral Provinces
‘
4
a
x
er het ee eens ee
[ “201 ]
of China, Fapan, ‘and Siam, and affects
a ftony Soil in Vallies at the Feet of
- Mountains; the Root refembles that of
_ the Peach Tree, the Leaves are green,
longifh at the Point, narrow, better than
an Inch long, and jagged all round; the
Flower like that of the wild Rofe; the
Tree is of various Sizes, fometimes very
large, at others a mere Shrub of the
{malleft Kind.
Here are alfo fome Pieces of Sculpture,
as King William, and King George the
Firft, cut in Walnut Shells and in Ivory;
the Head of Baker, who wrote the Chro-
nicle; alfo an Impreffion of O/iver Croui-
well’s Seal; Paintings at large, in Minia-
ture and Enamel, as a Man that had an
Excrefcence, or Wen, in Form of a Head
growing out of his left Breaft.
A Cyclops Pig. |
A. Woman who had two horny Subjftances
grew out of the back Part of her Head;
one of the Horns is kept in fome of the
K 5 Cabinets
[{ 2oH2 ]j
_ Gabinets in this Room. A. Pidture. of the,
fame Woman and another Horn are fhewn.
at Oxford.
Thomas Briton, the mufical Small-coal-
man. A black Whale, and a Buffalo.
Several Drawings in Miniature, com-
pofed of very {mall writing, particularly
two Heads, one of Queen Ann, the other
of Prince George of Denmark, faid to con-
tain a Number of Speeches in Parliament,
and Proclamations; and alfo the Head
of the Duke of Glouceffer done in the
fame Manner.
Infjeéis and Reptiles.
A. Plantation of Cochineal, with the
People gathering and drying it. :
Several Flowers and Plants. |
We have now done with our Remarks ~ |
on this fecond Department. In our Way —
to the next, we are led down the back
Stairs, where we muft take notice of two $
Canoes, the one brought from America,
the other from Greenland, differing both |
. In
[ 203 ]
in Form and Materials : the firft is very
ingenioufly covered with the Bark of a
Kind of Birch Tree, which is fixed to
{mall Ribs on the infide; the whole Boat
is remarkably light, infomuch that two
Men may eafily carry it many Miles from
one Lake or River to another, which is
very neceflary in America, on Account of
the great Falls. The other Canoe is en-
tirely covered with Seals Skins, at a Di-
ftance bearing fome Refemblance to
Parchment ; the upper Part of it is as
it were decked with the fame Materials,
there being only a fmall Hole left open
- * gn the middle for the Man to fit in and
manage his Paddle.
On the Wainfcot going down thefe
Stairs, is a large Piece of Painting, re-
prefenting feveral Kinds of dead Game.
K 6 S E C-
[ -204- J
SECT 1 Oo a ae
“HE laft Department we are to
mention in this our Account is
that of printed Books ; it contains many
- Collections, and a great Number of
fearce Works, well worth the Attention
of the learned World.
Croffing the Hall, in the Way from
the back Stairs, the firft Room we enter
is appropriated for modern Works of the -
Preis; Part of it is filled with Books
fent in by the Stationers Company, and
other Prefents given to the Mufeum in
the Reign of his late Majefty ; the re-
maining Part of the Preffes are prepared
for the Reception of fuch as may be
added in the Reign of his prefent Ma-
jefty. if
Major Evwarnps’s Library. ;
This is a good Collection of Engl,
Frenco, and ftalian Books, but chiefly the
laft,
2 see
laft, which Major Edwards gave by his
Will to the Public, with a Generofity
worthy of Imitation. It is joined to the
Cotton Library, and depofited in this
~ Room, as a lafting Monument of his
_ Genius and public Spirit.
BIBLIOTHECA SLOANIANA. I,
In this Room are preferved Part of
Sw Hans Sloane’s Library, confifting of
‘Books of Phyfic, Pharmacy, Anatomy,
| Surgery, Chemiftry, &.
BrBLIOTHECA SLOANIANA. II.
Another Part of Sir Hans Sloane’s Li-
brary, Natural Hiftory, Herbaria, Hor-
tus Siccus. Here are many Drawings,
perhaps the fineft that are to be feen in
the World. The Reader muft particu-
larly admire a Book containing fome
- Drawings of Monf. Rodert, Painter to
| Louis the Fourteenth, King of France.
They confift of a great Number of Vege-
tables, curious Animals, Shells, and other
tae natural
[ Oeuk
natural Productions, very elegantly drawn
and coloured from Nature. Sir Hans
Sloane paid this Artift five Guineas for
doing each Leaf. We mutt alfo notice a
_ great many Drawings, elegantly coloured
from Nature by Madame Marian. ‘They
confift of a great Variety of Plants, with
the Infeéts that feed on them; and fome
other Things. It is to be remarked, that
this Lady made a Voyage to Surinam,
and refided there fome Years, to perfect
herfelf in the Knowledge of Natural Hif-
tory, and to make Drawings of the Plants,
Fruits, and Infeéts, which thofe warmer
Climates produce. In this Room are alfo
fome printed Books in the Chinefe Lan-
cuage.
BIBLIOTHECA SLOANIANA. III.
Flere are many Books on philological —
Subjects; Grammars, Lexicons, Critics
Treatifes on Rhetoric, Geography, fome —
Travels, Journals, and Mifcellanies.
BrBLi-
a
oe
Ly 207. J
‘Bini: OTHECA 2 bena ais Iv.
In this Part of Sir Hons Sloane’s Col-
lection are Hiftories of all Nations, an-
cient and modern; fome Treatifes on.
Chronology, Prints, Globes, and laree
Maps of different Countries.
BIBLIOTHECA SLOANIANA. V.
This Room contains Treatifes on the
Arts and Sciences, Syftems of Philofo- |
phy, Ethics, Aftronomy, Commerce, Phi-
lofophical Tranfactions.
BiBLioTHECA SLOANIANA. VI.
The remaining Part of Sir Hans
Sloane’s Colleétion, being Beaks of Divi-
nity and Law.
ee atau ek Recia. I.
In this next Room is depofited Part of
the Royal Library, which his late Majefty
ordered to be here preferved for the Be-
nefit of the Public. It confifts of the —
em
= Books |
[ 208 J |
- Books collected in the Reigns of Henry
VII. Henry VU. Edward V1. Queen Ma-
ry, and Queen Elizabeth. Here are alfo
feveral other Colleftions, as the Libraries
of Archbifhop Cranmer, More, Arundel,
- and Lumley. Many of the Books are
very valuable : among others are the firft
printed Copies of the Bible, and other fa-
cred and hiftorical Writings ; fome Books
on the Subject of Religion, &c. pub-
_ \ithed before, and in the Infancy of the
Reformation, when Printing was firft in--
vented, and fome other Works, treating
of the Sciences, Hiftory, &c. In this
Place are preferved the firft Books printed
in England and France; fome are upon
Vellum, others on Paper; they bear a
great Refemblance to the fineft Manu-
{cripts, having, like them the Titles and
initial Letters curioufly illuminated.
BIBLIOTHECA ReEciaA II.
In this laft Room of the Library is de-
pofited the remaining Part of the Books —
given
ot oe ee .
py eel Petes Maya Shc
ae
[ 209 ]
given by his late Majefty. They were
collected in the Reigns of Fames the
firft, Charles the firft, and Charles the
fecond.
It is proper to remark, that if any
ingenious Perfon has either a mind to
improve himfelf in the feveral Sciences
or Languages by reading, or is prompted
by Curiofity to perufe fome of the valu-
able Books of this Department, by ap-
plying to the Truftees, he may have an
Order to attend the reading Room for
a Time, where there is a particular Offi-
cer appointed to provide fuch Books as
may be wanted. This is an Advantage
not known to many, who would other-
wife be glad of fuch an Opportunity of
confulting fome fcarce Books.
We have one Room more to mention,
_ which contains fome Sea Compafies, im-
proved by Dr. Knight, fuch as are now
| ufed in the royal Navy, and feveral Mag-
nets, and Apparatufes, ferving to fhew
the
*
[ 210 J
the magnetical Powers in philofophical
Ufes. :
I have only now to » obferve, that on
the Days the Committee of the Truftees
fit, the laft Department.is fhewn in the
fame Order in which the Rooms are ar- —
ranged in the firft Edition.
TN DE X
A.
~~ Page
BRACADABRA. mnaiO2
Abraxas - 61
_ Acacia ae me 154.
Achates b ens = .. 66, 105
Admiral Shell —— 140
ZEfculapius aoe 46
Etites eee eT aie 108
Adder Flies 0) nee 179
Ajlurus a 21, 42
Alabatter ee 7X
Alabaftra_ on 70
Alcoran, fine copies m ee 28
Allegators. a 193
Ambers . ——— 78, 995 105
American Idols 54.
American Houfhold Utenfils © 65
Amethyft —.. Q2
Mee | 76
Ammonite © SEED 102, 113
: Amphibia
ee
Io ND Or ee?
Amphibia. | — cee |
Amphifbenz —— ibid.
Amphoras ——. a 44
—————— Hetrufcan a ibid.
Amulets ——- oe ar @
Anacardium Occidentale . 62
——————. Orientale Se.
' Anomiz concha: —— -r02, 115
Antimony - a ~ 8k
Ant Bear, Skin of ee
Antiquitates Hgyptiace —~ 48
~~. Hetruftze ee
——_—_—— Romanz ae 46
— = Varie | 52
Ants —— —- 183
Anubis a —— 42
Apes —_ amnee ae
Apis ——. 40
Apocynum 600 Cl
Appian Road, Stone from 4 =
Apyri rs “—- | TOR
Aqua marina oo — 89
Aquileius ee -— YIO
Arabian Letter Shell en, A
Altabian Shel | eee 144
Aranez —— a 184
I. N._D\ EB) x:
Argus Shell - mies 200! 4
Armadillo . .— ——— “RBH THe
Articles from-Herculaneum 63
Afbettos ——. 76, 134.
Afphaltus a | 79
Afteriz: a 103, 119
Aftroites a eee 11g
Aves ae ——~ 191
_ Avium Partes ~ ——. 186
§ Aucle . _. —— ibid.
Aures marinz — 332
B.
Bacchanalia —— 8
Balearic Crane —— 196
Balm Crickets — —— 177
Bark Lace 1 aided [2 155
Bark Papyrus ote 33
Barnacles —— 194
_ Baromez a agg
Bafanos meen [ ete) -abid,
ee ih a 165,
— Shell pe laces: Y 145
| Batkets made of Bark — 56
3604 Baftinadoes
ly Ny Dg £uom
ween. i : | Page ©
Bertinadoes. 0). Mode cuggie
Bats, large _—— meen ol DEAR.
Battifte manera nid DepeeeeeOll estan 9
Bead Shells Selene ‘en tog ae
Bees 7 2. tere nies SLID
Beetles vile iemepesinanslis 170, 194
Beetle Porcellain — 2) OF4ZO
Belemnites_...... ces «102527 8
Belted Snail — Aaa ce ee 133
Benzoin. .eee eee TES
Beryl aan aatllaiaelie SOR NCTE SOaa
Bezoar —— 126
Bibliotheca Cottoniana. MS. — 26
Harleiana MS. — 27
Regia . poeta be 207
—————— Regia. MS. G J > oe
ibs a a, Sloaniana--- i 6 204
Sloaniana MS. | 33
Bird of Paradife... - ———* 195 |
Birds en ns 22, TOT, 195
~ Bifmuth a | 81 4
Bitumens —---——= = 78, 105
Black Crab from Jamaica - ° 366 4
Blattz ee TS
Blood Stone - il alae ae 60
Blue Fees from Virginia Wohet 6g ae
Boat
“Na De EB: x
Page
Boat Flies . —— — 178
Porcellain mnie 140
— Shells — menene 138
Bracelets 60, 63
_ Brainftone an 21
_ Brander, Efq; his Colle@ion ~ 100
Breeze Flies | 183
Bricks ftamped with Figures 59
_ Brimftone — ee 79
| Bronzes 38, 43) 47, 52, 625-199
Bruthes made of Roots _ Beaters + |
a Buccina PE — 535
: Buffalo’s Head. : 7
PMS i 121
Bulla mie (2c 838
| Bull Frog —_ 193
eeiteiee 174
Buft of Sir Hans Sloane 9
Buftos — 46, 58
| Butterflies Bg oxn 180
A C.
ees 15x
Le Cake, Sea ee 130
ee ee ai aso
Calabath,
BS Net DRS et a
Calabath, large —.,
Calamine ween alate
Calculi one
Califtus, Head of a
Caltrop Shell sooo
Calumets of Peace a
Cameleons a
Cameos a a
Camphor. ae
Canoes a a
Canopus cients
Capricorn Beetles ia
Cardia —— schist
Carolina Frog a
Cafhew Nut sommonbiaaag?
Caffada Bread tieleaane
Caffidz = ——an noes
Caffowary erences
Eges ne
Cats Eye ——
Celtes swap
- Centipes ——
Centroniz ——
~ Cerambices — teem
Cervus volans a
Chalices a ——
57
169
156 |
202
39
173
144
193
153
198
172
¢ 196
162
49
Chame |
137 |
193 |
87
49,63
185, 194. FF
130 4
173
“171 @
ay ~« —_~ ~~ —_~ -_~ aa, —_— a » md
= wm Be ox.
apf: Page
Chame — ee . 144
Chamber’d ee -~ 132
Charters fe) 26
China Pheafant’s me = 164
Chinefe Porcellain me 8. Beadle
Chryfolite —~ — 93
Chryfomelz on — 172,
Cicade _ i — 177
Cidares —— — 130
Cimices Fra gel ey
Circus, Models of of — 47
Claw of Lobfter, large Niet 166
F Coals — —~ 78
Cobalt pee meg ot 8s
Becincal =r RG
Cocci — — ~ ibid. —
‘Coccinelle .. _ ——~ prale2
-Coccoons, Sea — ass 151
Coccoons of Silkworms —_ 186
‘Cochlez —. — 133
Cochlites _ — 103, 113
Cocoa Nuts - apie 154
Coffee Berries — - ibid.
Coffin of Mummy Ott ey
Concha Veneris Hovey F8 TA4
Conchites . — — 103, 116
L Condor’s _ :
NR Ree
7 Page
Condor’s Quills _ 187
Confetti di Tivoli — 167
Contrayerva = ~ 156
Cormorant’s Eggs — 164
Copal — oe 156
Coral — aa 215 99
Scollop Shell — FA4
Corallia —: — 157
Coralloides — — 103
Corn from Herculaneum 60, 63
Cornelians © — — 67
Coronated Volutes oes ¥40
Cotton — — 150
— Stone — —_ 96
Cowries —_ — 140
Cramp Fifh —_ — 196
Crickets — _ 176
Crocodiles. —_ 193, 195
Eegs 4 eee) ama 165
Crow, Iron —_ — 80
Crown Bird — — 196
~~ Cruftacea — we 166
Cryftal - 66, 73, 98, 104
— Metallic, from Atna 62
Culices —_ —_ 184
Curculiones © —_—" ~— 173
| Cyclops
EN. i £ x
>: CyclopsPig =~ _. an
Cylindri satis
Cynocephalus _— is
D.
Deck Limpets = ae
Dentalia — soe
Dermeftes eae ae
Deus Averruncus — wines
Diamond we wes
Pitt’s ease
o——————— fine Rofe ee
f Dice : — ee mene
Ditifci — we
Dolia oe aFay
Dolphin — Ga:
Dragon Flies - — a
| Drawings, fine, by Monf. Robert
. by Madame Marian
Drums — ated
| +—— Chinefe - —
| American —
_——— from Lapland =
_ Ducal Mantle Shell he
L2
Page -
Igo
139
42
132
142
171
43
96
37
97
60
174
138
196
179
205
ibid.
58
58, 65
58
ibid
144
Eagle
= ave
; 3
Eagle er cee = 196
ee Egos = me — 164° 8
—— Stone —. —_ 108
Ear Shell — = 133
Echini Marini ~~ pe 130
Echino Melocaétos — 19t |
Echinites ~09 —~ . — 102, 117,
Echinorum Radioli — 103,132
Echites © — | - ben ke ae
Eeg within another me To be
Eggs _— — ibid.
Egg, Sea __ — — 130
Egyptian Antiquities oo 38
———— Mummy. _ 5 a
—.— Pebbles —~ 70, 85
OE gee — 174
Elephant Beetle —_ 171 a
— Back Bone ~ 23 49
— Turks _ — 148
Embalming os oes 12 @
Emerald — —_ 04
~ Emew — — — 196
Endive Shell © — — 1374 i
- Enhydros — ere 10g)
-Entomolithi
Me he ee
; Page
Entomolithi — — 103
Entrochi — a 120
_ Ephemeron — ae 179
Epitaphs — oe 6
Erodialis = -—— Bae)
Efchara ~~ os 158
Ethiopian Crown = 138
| Eutocium =~ — II0
F,
Walle Argus =. — 140
‘Fans = = 65
Fafces, Tops of Roman — 49.
. Feather Crowns _— 197
_ Fern, large — — 168
- Fibulas, Roman — 59
Flamingo —_ — 22,195
Flies — — 183
Flints i ee — 66
Flying Fih — “rt 194, 166
oo Lizard —— ~ 193
ee Squirrel _ 189
Formicz = — 183
Foffilia Bivalva — 103
——— Multiyalva — ibid,
| ae Foftlia
b}
LL? Ny DA Byes
’ : Page ‘eal
Fofiilia Univalva — 703
Foffils _ -— 66, 101,106.
Frefco Paintings —_— 23°
‘FruQus — ee 149, 194. 4 |
G.
Gad Flies me — 183
Galbanum a =e 156
Gallyworms —_ — 185
Gargoulettes — — 56
Garnet — —_ co
Geodes _ — ‘109
Giants Caufeway — 2
Ginfeng — — 155
- Gloffopetra . —
op Mapats. ee — 184.
~ Gondola Shell — 139
Granate — nee QI
Granite Columns — 4.
Graptolithi ; — 104,123 =
Grilli _ — .. 57s
uma. > — — 193, 195.9
Eggs — — 16574
Guinea Corn ; a 154
Gum Elemi — — 156 a
Gutti
Page
Gutti mow one 54
Gypfum — — 725 104
H.
Hall, Contents of a 2
Hammer Oyfter = — 142
Hanging Nefts _— 162
Harpocrates = 19, 38, 40, 64
Harveft Flies = — 177
Hats = ~ 65
Heart Shells. - = — 144.
Hebrew Letter-Shells = 140
Heliotropium — 68
~ Helmintholithi — = TIO
Hercules Balbinus —_ 53
- Hermit Crab — male ies
_ Hetrufcan Antiquities — 455 53
_ Hieroglyphics — et 17
Hippocampus — aa 194.
- Hooded Snakes — — 193
Horned Owl — 195
_ Horns of Animals — ibid.
———— of Moufe Deer _ ibid.
——— of Unicorn Fith — 196
| Horfe Flies — —_ 183
i N D E x |
Page
# Hack Laghus, his Sword of State 57
| ae Heart Shell —— 154,
Humming Birds — 192, 195
Hyacinth —— go
I,
Jacinth — o— 90 .
Janus bifrons ——— 53 4
_ Japonefe Pagod —_——— | 55
| Jafper re 68,85,99 |
Jalpides | SERRA Ts —, ibid.
Jay from Eaft Indies —_ oy ff
Ibis — oe —_ 17539
Ichneumones ~~ Wj 182. ©
othiyolithi Lo ecto 103,12r
Ichthyodontes. we der tine a
Idols, American. _— 54
Egyptian 18, 29, 52, 64
Jets —_ — 78,105 | |
Jews Pitch aoe 7,
Incruftations . ee 108
Indian Pots —— Comm 56
—— Shields ee ee Fg
Infcriptions - men AE TD: oF
Infeta owe sae ee «OGG
‘peuki és Inftru- y
i
Brew DEX;
Page
Inftruments of Mufic, Indian 57
_ Intaglios — _ 169
| John Doree ome 194
Ifis. picasa 19, 38, 40
Juli “= —_ 185
Jupiter Serapis —— 38
K.
Keratophyta — 21, 157
Keys | = —_ 60, 63
Kingfifher ———— 191
Egos a 162
L,
_ Lacrymatories — 50, 53
La Fofle — —_ tie
Lamps 59.53
—— Metal, odd fancied — 49
_—— Sepulchral — 50
: Laocoon — =~ 24.
Lapis Calaminaris a 8
. —— Lazuli —— , Bands
ee i ae 74
-—— Pregnans — 1I0
I -N GD: cE ut
Page
‘Laya from Vefuvius ~ fur
Leopard Shells some 1440
Lepturz eh — 173.
~ Libellulze —- 179°
Ligna ane _— 149
Limpets pees 132
Lithotomi _ _ 110
Lizards a 22,193,195
—— Egps — 165
Lobfters =~ — 166 =
Locufte —— 176, 194
Lotus = = 17 3 |
Lucina _ — 46
Ludus Helmontii ee 108 |
M.
Maccaw’s Eggs —_— 164 4
Madrepora — (21,158
Magna Charta — . 2
Maiz — ~ 4
Mantes a Ty ee 176
Mantle Scollops —— 144
Marble — ~ - Wsi0g
Marbled Scollop _ heel
_ Marcafites a 79, 98, 105
Marmora ©
PON 2 DU Bix
Page
Marmora —— 705 105
Mafks, uncommon - —_— Aq
Mafk Shells = one 139
Mathematical Inftruments = 58
Matrices to ftamp earthen Ware 63
Meafures, Roman a 60
Medals, Englith ems 28
. French — a 29
Pontifical = 34.
-—— Sir Hans Sloane’s’ = 30
——— Their Nature —_ ibid.
Medallions os — ibid.
Medufa’s Head ae 165
Metallica ; = = 80
Mica argentea = 75
—— aurea —— 74.
Mill Beetles _ — 175
Millepedes _—— _— 184.
Millepora _ 21,158
“Millet = _ 154.
Mineralia = — — «88
Minerals — 66, 80 101, 105
Mitcle Birds Eggs — ~ 164
Miffilia — — 30
Mitre Shell — = _ 135
Mocoes _ is — 67
L6 Models
IXNADGEWEE-
Models by Simons =. +>
Mole Cricket. . —
Mole Porcellain Perino
Molucca. Beans ———
Monkeys — ates
Mocn Stones —- “nse
Moths — ess
Mummy, Egyptian ae
Murices — ——
Mufee ~. a a
_ Mufcles — wi |
Mufical Inftruments —_—_
Mufculi — sows Oe
N.
Natural Productions tn ii) og
Nautili = an <i
Nautiliti —— — |
Meedle Shell--- . — ——~ —
Nephritic Stone — —
Neritz — — Ssuate
Nepz = me
Nefts of Birds aoe ska
—— of Infects — —
PaNaA DG EX
ses Page
MIM ee 162
= InfeGorum — - 1595 186
Se ere ree ey
Nile — re mer 8
Nilometri — — 42
Noah’s Ark Shell = — 144.
Notoneéte = — 178
Qs
Oculus Cati = — «By
———— Mundi — —_ 88
i — ~ — - 183
- Olive Shells _ ~ 139
— Onifci — — ~~ 184
| Onyx — — — 83
——.. Shell _ _ 140
: Opal i — — — 86
Ophites — — 5, 68
Opofum — —_ — 190
Ores” — — 81, 105
-—— Cinnabar — 8x
;—— Coppr — = 815 105
—— Gold — — ibid
-—— Tron — — ibid.
—— Lead — = _—_—sibid,
LENUDGE Se
Page
Ores Quickfilver — — 81,105
—— Silver usenet Sak ed. ibid.”
‘Pie ohn ee ee ee ibid.
Oron Outon a es ee Sl
Orus pe tai 19, 38
Ofris — —— sie 18, 38
Oftracites — dest 102, 115
Oftrea — gi rire 143
Oftrich’s Eggs ond. ee 164
hee _ — ibid.
Owls Egos — a — ibid.
Ox Heart Shell — Vie
Oyfters == “ah — | 4g ¥
.
Paintings,~Frefco — 4,23
- in Miniature —— 201
Palanquin, Model of sions 199
Paper Nautilus =~ — FAT
Papiliones ~ — — 180
Papyrus Bark _ meets 13
Parrots Eggs —_ dau 164. |
Patelle — we oe 332
Pateras, Hetrufcan = eee 45.
aa Roman ood _— 49
. i> i. -».. Be eee ee ee ee ee ee ee
IN DEX.
Page
Pearls — — 96
_ Pearl Oyfters aa — 194.
Pea Shells = — 134
Pectines = = 143
Peétinites = 102, 116
Penguins Eggs —~ i be
Periapta — —_ 42
Perfian Crown Shell —— 139
Petrifactions = — 100
Phalene — — 180
Phoenician Seals _ — 43
Phryganez _ — 179
Phytolithi — = — 104,122
Pifcium Partes sm — 188
Pinna Marina — — 168
_ Placente — — 130
_ Porcellane _ a 140
| Porcellain Shells = — — ibid,
| Porcupine | a — 195
tee ———— Fith = ee 196
Porphyry, Egyptian — 99
Portraits — = 10
Precious Stones ~ — 86
Prickly Oyfters — — 143
——— Trochus — — 134
Purple Pearl _ _ 96
Purpurse ©
aN Dae ee oe
: Page
Purpure — ee 137
Pyrites Argenteus one ce 105
Aureus = — 49,80 am
Pyropus — —_ 86
Q.
Quadrupedia _ =e 188
Quills of Condor = a
R.
Rattle Snake ae Lad 193.
Root — 156
Remora© = — —_ 194
Reptilia — — 193
Reticulated white Chama — 144
Rhinoceros Beetle — — 4171
Bird — 186 .
Rhombi — ~ ~ 139 @
- Ribbon Snail —— _ 133
Bang Key. -- — _ 60 —
Roman Antiquities — 46
Roman Mantle Shell — 144 —
Root of Tea Plant — 2.00 e
Rouffeau his Portrait © — 9a
MeN 2 Dd EM x. ce
Page
a Royal Staircafe Shell - ee. 136
Ruby et ae wings «25 os
S.
| Sacrificing Inftruments == 49
| Saddle Oyfter — Sil 143
Sailor Shells - — _ I4t
Salamanders 2 we 193
Saloon - = sa ee 23
SS ie 95
Sardi — Lich rom 66
OS 83
——Snoutof —--— am ibid.
| Scarabei ~~~ ~~ om 170 |
(eeqhwampam- — -— —. 199 |
Scollops > - am — Va |
Scolopendre-- — we 185 |
Scorpiones —_ 185, 194
Screw-fhells = a 135
Scythian Lamb ~ me — 149
Seals, Phoenician ones Az
— Tukih — — 61
Sea Compaffes — zo 208
==- Horfe, Head of ~— 195
dagoe 3 78 Sea
LeoNG DEW.
Sea Lion, Head and Pawof = es
—- Polypus . — = 194
—- Locufts — —_— 166
Selenites — = — 72
Semimetalla — — 8r, 105
Serpentia | a — 193:
Serpentine Marble = 5, 68
Sertularia = a 21
Shark, young = a 196
Shark’s Jaws a _ 195
Shells, Foffile. — ~~ TI2
—————— Recent — — 129
Shrimps... — an — 166
Silices = ..— — — 66
Siliquaftrae. ~ po 122
Silk-grafs — — 150
Simpulums . —~ a 49
Sifttum ~* — — 38
Skeleton of a Whale — 196
Unicorn-fith —~—— 6
Sledges — — 66
Sloth _ — 7 189
Snails = st 133
Snake Stones _ are 113
Snow Shoes aw 66
Snuff-box made of Lava ~~ 62
few Dy Eos
Page
Sope Berries _ = 151
Spars oo—— — 71, 104
Spata _—— — ibid.
Speckled Heart-fhells — 144,
Spiders aa — 22, 184
Spider Shells —~ — 137
Spindle Shell — _ 135
Spongie —— ae 156
Spur Shell = — 134.
Stag Beetle — — 171
StalaGtites —— ee 104, 106
Stampers — = 139
Staphilini =§-— _— IGe
Star-fifh = = — 165
Stella Marinz — —_ 165
Stilus —_—_— — es 60
Strombi a one — 135
Stucco Ceilings, Pieces of —s 57
Sturgeon — mee 196
Styrax ee — — 156
Sulphur — as 445 105
Sulphura — — — ibid.
Surinam Toad — — 193
Sword-fith, Head of — 196
== ibid.
Snout of
ry
Tabani sale ace
Tahbahs — —
Talc wei: F id ne
Talifmans — _
Turkith —
Tarantula — —
Tea Nuts chats tie
Telefcope Shells — os
Telline Bri Seas
“Tenthredines ion
Termini _ —
Terre -
Teflele —_
Teftacea” —
Teftudines _ —
Thiftly Melon > — oa
Thor ah —— ,
Thorny Heart-fhells —
—— Oyfter —
Tiber — —-
_ Tooth Shells —_ ae
Torpedo = —
fe Ne De Ei x:
~Tortoifes ee oe, eh EG. ce
—_——Eggs — 165
Tortoife Porcellain Shell _ 140
Toucan _ — 187
Touch-ftone — ody 3
Tower of Babel Shell — 135
Trochi — ~ 134.
Trochites _ =~ 120
| Tropic Bird —_ — 195
. Trumpet Shells — —~ 135
Tubipora aa — 159
Tubularia — — ibid,
Tun Shell — — 138
: | Turbines — te 135
~Turcois == — 81, 88
~-Turkith Cap _ = I§t
Turtles —_ — 186, 194.
-Eges am — 165
Tyger | i eo — 140.
U;
Unicorn Beetle ~ WHH_ 171
———- Whelks Bee 136
| ‘Urchins, Sea — —— 130
Ums —— a AGHA
Urns -
? ms N- D. E x
Urns Alabafter° ———
——Britifhh — —=
amo Roman —a EN
iv Square” —
V.
2 Weectabilia- oe 142, 94
Venus’s Heart Shell ~The
Princes See
Vermicularia omnes Ceti)
Velpe SP aRE
Vefuvius
Vice-Admiral Shell
Virginia Nightingale
Volute amen
Votaries » ——
Vultur Saati
Vultur’s Head poerernSES
Es
Caoceseent
(occ?
eae =
Via Appia, Stone from ames
ome
ec
eee
eres
Walking Leaves
Walrofs, Head and Pawsof —
Wampum aa me
i i en as ae T
SS NT
a N D Rx,
Ee EN D.
Page
EE — 182
- Nefts ames ones 22
Water Beetles. ss 174.
——- Scorpions nm 178
Weaver Shuttle Shell | Semen 140
Weights, Roman seco 60
Wendel Tr ap Shell ——a iz 36
Whale, Skeleton of —. 196
Whitks, Indian oe — +57
Wild Boar, young eee 195
Wild Man of the Mountains — ibid.
Wing Shells —— mas 137
Woodcock Shell ono ibid.
Wood Beetles sneemcse 171
Woodlice seme — 184.
Worm Shells meee nee 142
Worms ——— 186, 194
¥.
Yellow Chama Shell ae 144
Yerbua mae ——~ 189
Z.
Zoolithh —— — 103, 122
375.
eee
ERRATA
for Dome. read Ceiling.
after Homer add in Bronze.
for greateft read highett.
after Natural Produétions read -
prefented by —— Ellis, Efq;
for Cabinets read Preffes.
N. B. The French Medals are in
Hart. II.
. dele from the Word fome to.
Buildings, ce.
for Beetles read Bottles.
. for as numerous as read more
numerous than.
. for Oyfters read Cockles.
. for fome read a great Number of.
for fome read a Variety of. ;
after Curculiones add Cornworms. —
7 after voracious add they are foo i
in Vineyards,
oo
i “ AB, %
3
DI aE ae eee
|: BRITISH MUSEUM.
| NEW READING-ROOM.
I
aaa : 8c ee c0506es _ OOO
Price One Penny.
ais
a
iT
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ec
=
a
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aoe ee
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3; 4
,
NORTH LIBRARY
PLAN OF NEW READING-ROOM, BRITISH a
E Entrance from Royal Library. | K Gentlemen’s Cloak- -Roon
F Entrance from North Library. L For Gentlemen, :
G For Registration of Copyrights. M Umbrella Room,
H Ladies’ Cloak-Room. N Assistants’ Room.
J Attendants’ Room, y
A Superintendent.
B Catalogue Tables.
G Readers’ Tables.
D Access for Attendants.
BRITISH MUS MUSEUM.
|
IN NEW READING-ROOM
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1857.
CONTENTS.
INCREASE OF THE LIBRARY .. ee or o- o.
ORIGIN OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES .. ee
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES
DECORATION, &C. OF NEW READING-ROOM ..
ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM ..
*
LONDON : PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, —
AND CHARING CROSS,
BRITISH MUSEUM.
NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES.
THE new Reading-Room and Libraries of the British Museum
are now completed. The Times, in a leading article on the
7th of May last year, contained a general description of the
building then in progress, and we gladly avail ourselves of
the permission liberally granted by that Journal to extract
from its pages the substance of another article which ap-
peared on the 21st of April last, containing concise but very
accurate details of the construction as it exists in its state
of completeness,
‘* Tts site, in the internal quadrangle of the Museum, has
concealed its progress from the public eye, although the
_ lofty and capacious edifice occupies an area of 48,000 super-
ficial feet. This site was indeed its proper and only situation,
from the obvious necessity of the new Reading-room being
adjacent. to the vast magazines of books and manuscripts
contained in the various apartments of the Museum.
INCREASE OF THE LIBRARY.
‘The present number of volumes in our great public
_ library is upwards of half a million; but even that large
figure does not represent the far larger collection of separate
_ and distinct articles—in tracts, pamphlets, and manuscripts.
_ They are legion, and not yet accurately catalogued or com-
puted. Probably, the enormous quantity of pamphlets,
ire
political, theological, and scientific, of Great Britain, sinc é
the Reformation, constitute the British Museum Library on cls
of the largest collections of printed literature in the world,
Maps also form a relatively considerable portion. The rate
of increase is enormous, In the Parliamentary return for the |
year ending the 24th of December, 1856, not yet published, |
it will appear that the last annual additions number 10,434 |
volumes, including music, maps, and newspapers, of which |
753 were presented, 4010 purchased, and 5831 acquired by |
home copyright. The number of parts of volumes was |
27,516. In addition, the Library had accumulated numerous
maps, charts, and plans, variously obtained. The number |
of pieces of music alone added was 2347. In gross, the total |
additional articles that year numbered 42,639, Of the com- |
plete works accumulated in the twelve months, 1901 were }
presented, 2005 purchased, and 7933 were acquired under
the Copyright Acts, In the same year, also, each article |
being impressed with the Museum stamp, the number used —
was 162,940!
‘The number of books returned to the shelves of the
General Library was 110,873; to those of the Royal Library, —
8869; to those of the Grenville Library, 1018; to the closets
in which books are kept from day to day for the use of the
readers, 79,598; making a total of 200,358, or 684 per diem, —
Adding the number of volumes returned to the shelves of —
the Reading-rooms, about 144,000, the whole amounts to —
344,358, or 1175 per diem, The number of readers within —
that year was 53,209, or an average of 181 per diem, the
Reading-rooms having been kept open 293 days. Each reader —
had, therefore, consulted on an average 64 volumes per diem,
“ Thus had the Library outgrown its local habitation since
its foundation in 1753, when the first contents of ‘Montagu |
House,’ Bloomsbury, consisted of the Sloane Collection, in- —
cluding only a few books, the Harleian MSS., and the Cote t
tonian Library; Parliament providing no money, but by Act
authorising the provision of 30,000/. by a Lottery! The old
os |
|
4
|
it
ORIGIN OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES. 7
mansion continued perfectly sufficient for the whole miscel-
laneous contents of the Museum until a few new rooms were
added for the Egyptian antiquities obtained in 1801, and for
_ the Townley Marbles, In 1823 the present entirely new
building, designed by Sir Robert Smirke, became necessary.
|| Montagu House was finally levelled with the ground in 1845,
)| the new portico being only finished April 19, 1847. It is
|| worthy of record that in the month of July, 1759, only five
readers attended the public reading-room.
OrIGiIn oF New Reapinc-Room AND LIBRARIES.
‘The utter insufficiency of the institution for book room
and accommodation for readers existed during the last four
Parliaments, and without aremedy. The public, the trustees,
men of letters in the Legislature, in vain devised various
plans, and demanded pecuniary aid from the Commons.
Select committee reports and annual returns followed in
succession. It is sufficient now to refer our readers to the
two volumes of reports in 1835 and 1836, and to the various
Parliamentary returns asked for since 1850; to similar Par-
liamentary volumes on Public Libraries in 1849 and 1850;
and, lastly, to the effective Report of the Royal Commission
(with 800 appended folio pages of evidence) appointed to
./e) | inquire into the constitution and government of the Museum.
cia The practical result was an unanimous representation of the
ef | Commissioners that ‘the subject of additions to the Museum
” was one which must evidently, at no distant period, engage
the attention of Her Majesty’s Government.’ Mr. Hume,
fortunately, was an active member of the Commission, and
concurred from honest conviction in the necessity of an early
and munificent grant of public money. T'he Royal Commis-
sioners, reporting the inadequacy of book-room, the injury
to the valuable contents of the library by the existing read-
ing-room arrangements, the slave-labour of the attendants,
and the bad accommodation of the readers, stated that ‘ these
| circumstances have suggested to Mr, Panizzi a scheme of
extension by which the buildings to be constructed would
<<
8 ORIGIN OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES, —
consist of new MSS. rooms and a new enlarged reading-room,
which would enable the trustees to devote the present MSS,
rooms, including that at present made over to the Grenvi
Library, to the printed books,’ This report lay dormant
almost for four years. ‘ Questions’ were constantly asked im
the House of Commons as to the intentions of the Ministers |
of the day. The ordinary annual vote was now and then —
opposed by individual members, on the ground of the inde- |
cision or indifference of the Government to the recommenda- -
tions of the Commission. Actually the trustees asked no |
more than half of the sum which they conceived desirable —
for the purchase of books, assigning the true reason, that the
Library would be inadequate for the reception of increased —
contents. Matters thus continued in statuquo. In the mean
time the difficulty of finding room for the current scot
to the Library became daily greater.
‘‘The plan alluded to by the Commissioners had to be |
abandoned on the ground of expense and delay. As a last —
resort, Mr. Panizzi proposed to the trustees that a building
should be erected in the inner quadrangle of the Museum,
By this scheme the cost of purchase would be avoided. This
proposal was accompanied by drawings showing the ground-
plan, and a general detail of the manner in which it was
suggested that the interior arrangements for the accommoda- :
tion of the readers and of books should be framed. The
architect of the trustees, Mr, Sydney Smirke, reported favour-
ably on this plan; and the result is a building, than which
none are better, few perhaps so thoroughly, adapted to the
purposes for which it is intended. On a ‘Supply night,’ the
3rd of July, 1854, Parliament, by its last evening vote, on |
the ‘miscellaneous estimates,’ granted 55,225/. for the |
‘British Museum establishment,’ towards its ordinary expen-— i |
diture, and 101,142/, for ‘new buildings and fittings.’ In |
this latter gross estimate there was an item of 61,0001. on |
account ‘for the erection of a building within the interior |
quadrangle, for the purpose of affording increased accom-
modation.’ The first grant was not half enough, as will soon
5
=i
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROoM, &c. 9
_ be seen; still it was a beginning, and laid the foundation.
Within three years the vast structure has been completed,
_ at the cost of 150,000/., or about that sum when all con-
tingent expenses are accounted for.
Construction oF New Reapinc-Room anp LIBRARIES.
«The Reading-room jis circular. The entire building does
not occupy the whole quadrangle, there being a clear interval
of from 27 to 30 feet all round, to give light and air to the
surrounding buildings, and as a guard against possible de-
struction by fire from the outer parts of the Museum. The
dome of this Reading-room is 140 feet in diameter, its
height being 106 feet. In this dimension of diameter it is
only inferior to the Pantheon of Rome by 2 feet; St. Peter’s
being only 139; Sta. Maria in Florence, 139; the tomb of
Mahomet, Bejapore, 135; St. Paul’s, 112; St. Sophia, Con-
stantinople, 107, and the Church at Darmstadt, 105. The
new Reading-room contains 1,250,000 cubic feet of space; its
‘suburbs,’ or surrounding libraries, 750,000, The building .
is constructed principally of iron, with brick arches between
the main ribs, supported by 20 iron piers, having a sectional
area of 10 superficial feet to each, including the brick casing,
or 200 feet in all. This saving of space by the use of iron
is remarkable, the piers of support on which our dome rests
only thus occupying 200 feet, whereas the piers of the
Pantheon of Rome fill 7477 feet of area, and those of the
tomb of Mahomet 5593. Upwards of 2000 tons of iron have
been employed in the construction, The weight of the
materials used in the dome is about 4200 tons—viz. up-
wards of 200 tons on each pier. The first standard was only
fixed in January, 1855. The framework and scaffolding
upon which the dome rested were removed on the 2nd of the
following June. No subsidence or ‘set’ of material was ob-
' servable on the wedges being removed. The entire dome
was roofed in and copper covering laid in September, 1855.
| The roof is formed into two separate spherical and con-
| centric air chambers, extending over the whole surface; one
” x pt &.
a Om
im Bb
be
10 CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROoM, &c.
between the external covering and brick vaulting, the object —
being the equalization of temperature during extremes of —
heat and cold out of doors; the other chamber, between the
brick vaulting and the internal visible surface, being intended
to carry off the vitiated air from the Reading-room. This —
ventilation is effected through apertures in the soffites of the
windows, and partly by others at the top of the dome; the
bad air passing through outlets provided around the lantern, —
In order to obviate the effects of condensation, all the sky- |
lights, lanterns, and windows throughout the building are |
double. The quantity of glass used amounts to about —
60,000 superficial feet. In order to guard against the con-—
sequences of an avalanche of snow falling from the dome on —
to the surrounding libraries, the building has been carried |
up outside perpendicular to such a height above the spring ©
of the arch as to form a gallery nine feet in width, provided
with proper outlets, by which the snow is intercepted. |
‘‘This Reading-room contains ample and comfortable ac-
commodation for 300 readers, Each person will have allotted |
to him a space of 4 feet 3 inches long. He is screened from
the opposite occupant by a longitudinal division, which is —
fitted with a hinted desk graduated on sloping racks, and a —
folding shelf for spare books. In the space between the —
two, which is recessed, an inkstand is fixed, having suitable | 9
penholders, Thus the whole table-top is free from writing |
implements or other embarrassments, and every precaution —
is taken to preserve the books if the readers will but use
common care.
‘The framework of each table is of iron, forming air-dis-
tributing channels, which are contrived so that the air may | —
be delivered at the top of the longitudinal screen division, —
above the level of the heads of the readers, or, if desired,
only at each end pedestal of the tables, all the outlets
being under the control of valves. A tubular footrail alse
passes from end to end of each table, which may have a
current of warm water through it at ploticutrs; and be used
as a footwarmer if required, 4
oo, « #
fa
hoe oe £
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROOM, &c, ig:
« The Catalogue tables, with shelves under, and air-dis-
tributing tubes between, are ranged in two concentric circles
around the central superintendent’s enclosure or raised plat-
form, the latter being fitted with tables, ticket-boxes, and
with dwarf partitions surmounted by glass screens, dividing
a passage leading to the surrounding libraries. The pedestals
of the tables form tubes communicating with the air-chamber
below, which is 6 feet high, and occupies the whole area of
the Reading-room. It is fitted with hot-water pipes, arranged
in radiating lines. The supply of fresh air is obtained from
a shaft 60 feet high, built on the north side of the north
wing about 300 feet distant, communicating with a tunnel
or sub-way, which has branches or ‘ loop-lines’ fitted with
valves for diverting the current either wholly through the
heating apparatus, or through the cold-air flues, or partly
through either, as occasion may require. The air-channels
are of sufficient capacity to admit a supply of fresh air for
500 persons at the rate of 10 cubic feet per minute, and at a
velocity not exceeding 1-0 foot persecond. For summer venti-
lation steam-pipes, placed at the summit of the roofs and
dome, will be heated, and extract the foul air when the exter-
nal and internal temperature is unfavourable for the purpose.
“The arrangement of the presses is throughout peculiar.
It is calculated that the shelves within the Dome-room will
contain 80,000 volumes, Two lifts are placed at convenient
stations for the purpose of raising the books to the level of
the several gallery floors. The bookcases are of novel and
simple construction, the uprights or standards being formed
_ of malleable iron galvanized and framed together, having
fillets of beech inserted between the iron to receive the brass
pins upon which the shelves rest. The framework of the
book-cases forms the support for the iron perforated floors
of the gallery avenues, and which are generally 8 feet wide,
| the central 6 feet being appropriated to the perforated floor,
and the remainder being a clear space between the back of
the books and the flooring, by which contrivance the light
_ from the skylights (in all cases extending to the full width
or © eer
yi
12 CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROOM, &c.
of the avenues) is thrown down the back of the books on
each story, so that the lettering may be easily discerned
throughout the book ranges. “a
‘The shelves are formed of iron galvanized plates, edgec 7
with wainscot and covered with russet hide leather, and
having a book-fall attached. They are fitted at each end
with galvanized iron leather covered, and wadded pads placed —
next the skeleton bookcase framing, to prevent injury to the
binding when the books are taken out or replaced. Between
these pads the skeleton framing of the cases forms an
aperture by which a current of air may pass and ventilation
be kept up throughout. The shelves rest upon brass pins, —
the holes for which are pierced at three-quarters of an inc
apart from centre to centre; but by a contrivance in crankin go
the shaft of the pin, which may be turned upwards or down- |
wards, this interval is practically halved, and the position o!
the shelves may be altered three-eighths of an inch at a time.
There are 2,750,000 of these holes!
“Tn all cases, except against the external walls, the book 7
cases are double, the books being placed on both sides, a
lattice of iron-work being fixed for their longitudinal separa-_
tion. Thus, throwghout the whole interior of the new build- |
ing there are no walls, the division being in all eases formed |
of a double range of books, fore-edge to fore-edge. The only |
exception is at the shelving provided for newspapers, a single |
range of which necessarily occupies the space of two ranges 1
of books, Three thousand superficial feet of cases are pro-
vided for newspapers.
‘For convenience of access to the galleries, the staircases”
have been placed so that, throughout the building, they ar
within 40 feet of each other. The building contains 3 miles
lineal of bookcases, 8 feet high; assuming them all to be
spaced for the averaged octavo book size, the entire ranges
form 25 miles of shelves. Assuming the shelves to be fill .
with books, of paper of average thickness, the leaves piced |
edge to edge would extend about 25,000 miles, or more thai
three times the diameter of the globe! =
pe es. 2 ea 2 =
DECORATION, &C. OF NEW READING-ROOM. as:
“‘The cost, about 150,000/., includes the fittings and
furniture and the necessary shelves for immediate use.
Decoration, &c. or New Reapine-Room.
‘* Jn the decoration of the interior dome, light colours and
the purest gilding have been preferred. The great room,
therefore, has an illuminated and elegant aspect. The de-
corative work may be shortly described:—The inner surface
of the dome is divided into twenty compartments by moulded
ribs, which are gilded with leaf prepared from unalloyed
gold, the soffites being in ornamental patterns, and the edges
touching the adjoining margins fringed with a leaf-pattern
scollopededge. Each compartment contains a circular-headed
window, 27 feet high and 12 feet wide, with three panels
above, the central one being medallion-shaped, the whole
bordered with gilt mouldings and lines, and the field of the
7 panels finished in encaustic azure blue, the surrounding
margins being of a warm cream-colour. The details of the
windows are treated in like manner,—the spandril panels
blue; the enriched column and pilaster caps, the central
flowers, the border moulding and lines being all gilded; the
margins cream-colour throughout. The moulded rim of the
lantern light, which is painted and gilded to correspond, is
_ 40 feet diameter. The sash is formed of gilt moulded ribs
radiating from a central medallion, in which the Royal mono-
gram is alternated with the Imperial Crown.
‘The cornice, from which the dome springs, is massive
and almost wholly gilded, the frieze being formed into panels
bounded by lines terminating at the ends with a gilt fret
ornament. Each compartment of the dome is marked by a
bold enriched gilt console, which forms at once the support
of the main rib and the base for a colossal marble statue, a
series of which it is proposed to place on the cornice,
“<Between the cornice and the floor the space is filled with
the bookcases and galleries of access, the cornice, standards,
and railings of which are wholly gilded, the panels of the sof-
fites of the latter being blue, having gilded ornaments therein.
74 ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM,
“The tables and enclosures are of wainscot, the chairs of
mahogany, the floors being covered with kamptulicon.
“The main entrance into the new Reading-room is direet
from the Great Hall, and there are secondary entrances fo
the officers from the King’s Library and the Great Northe * ’
Library rooms, through which all books are conveyed t
the centre of the Reading-room, whence they are distributed . .
“The amalgamation of the several catalogues, which
drawn up on various plans, into one catalogue prepared ona
uniform plan, is proceeding rapidly. Letters A, B, C,
E, F constitute about one-third of the entire catalogue, and —
this portion, completed, will be placed in the new Reading-—
room on its opening; it will be comprised in nearly 500
volumes. The completion of this Herculean work is now —
under the responsible superintendence of Mr. J. Winter
Jones, the successor of Mr. Panizzi in the keepership of the
department of printed books, Mr. Panizzi being now the @
Principal Librarian.” .
‘‘ The architect, Mr. Smirke, has the merit of the pre
paration of the original and first designs. The contractors,
Messrs. Baker and Fielder, share no common deserts in their
professional labours. Indeed the skill, perseverance, and in- —
genious resources of their managing partner, Mr. Fielder,
have been beyond all praise. It is gratifying to record that —
such a vast and lofty building has been completed without —
loss of a single life or any serious accident.’”’ The warming
and ventilating arrangements have been carried out by Messrs,
Hadon of Trowbridge. 4
ARRANGEMENTS OF NEw READING-Room.
We will now proceed to describe more at length the |
internal fittings and arrangements of the Reading-room, |)
which will be better understood by reference to the plan
which forms the frontispiece to this paper, A, on the plan,
shows the circular enclosure occupied by the Superintendent,
the Clerk, and the attendants. The Trustees, having suc
ceeded in providing for the public a Reading-room superio
ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM. Le
in its construction and appointments to all other buildings
of the same class, have determined to afford the readers
every possible facility in the prosecution of their various
inquiries. With this view they have selected one of the
superior officers of the Library, and placed the general
management of the Reading-room in his hands. This officer
is also charged with the special duty of assisting the
readers in their researches ; and, from his central position
in the Reading-room, will be readily accessible to all, and
able to superintend the whole service. This gentleman,
possessing a large store of miscellaneous information, an
extensive acquaintance with the languages and literature of
modern Europe, and an intimate knowledge of the contents
of the Library, is eminently qualified to discharge the duties
confided to him to the great advantage of the readers. It is
anticipated that, by this arrangement, the Trustees will meet a
want which has been long felt, and will infinitely increase the
utility of the National Library to all who desire to consult it.
B indicates the catalogue-tables, which are arranged
round the Superintendent’s enclosure. In addition to the
catalogues, these tables will be furnished with printed
tickets, containing on one side the regulations to be ob-
served by the readers in applying for and returning the
manuscripts and printed books they desire to use, and on
the other a form to de filled up with certain particulars
relating to the works they send for.
C represents the tables. These are 35 in number; eight
are 34 feet long, and accommodate 16 readers, 8 on each
side; nine are 30 feet long, and accommodate 14 readers,
7 on each side; two are 30 feet long, and accommodate
8 readers each, viz. 7 on one side and 1 on the other; these
| two tables are set apart for the exclusive use of ladies ;
sixteen other tables are 6 feet long, and accommodate 2
| readers each ; these have no divisions between them, and
are fitted up with rising desks of a large size for those
readers who may have occasion to consult works beyond
the usual dimensions.
16 ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM.
E, F, D show the openings leading from the
Library and the King’s Library to the New Reading-
When. readers have filled up their tickets they hand the:
the attendants in the central enclosure, by Whom they
passed to other attendants, whose duty it is to fetch
printed books or manuscripts from the shelves of the libra:
ries. Through these openings, D, E, and F, the books are
brought to the central enclosure, and thence conveyed by by
the Reading-room attendants to the readers ; the readers
tickets, filled up as above described, being then deposite 4 n
boxes constructed for the purpose within the superin-
tendent’s enclosure, and retained until the books they
respectively describe have been returned by the readers,
when the tickets are given up. “
The book-presses under the gallery are filled with a large
library of reference for the use of the readers, comprising
most of the standard works on the various branches .
learning, and an extensive collection of dictionaries of ¢ I
languages, biographical works, encyclopedias, parliamentar
histories, topographical works, &c. &c. These books
which are about 20,000 in number, the readers can consult
at pleasure without filling up fica for them. © .
On each side” of the passage from the Entrance Hall, .
through which the readers enter, officers will be placed, |
charged with the duty of seeing that no persons pass to. the
Reading-room who are not provided with the necessary
ticket of admission.
LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD ST.
AND CHARING CROSS.
C5 a
a
EOS OOOO eee eee
BRITISH MUSEUM.
NEW READING-ROOM.
Price One Penny.
‘hl
|
ENTRANCE HALLO 0
il
3 ¢ fA
ab
wmsteeem LIF) Q QBnmnn anne nena
F
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} | | | :
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NORTH LIBRARY
PLAN OF NEW BEADING-EOOM, BRITISH MUSEUM.
_ Superintendent.
Catalogue Tables.
| Readers’ Tables.
Access for Attendants.
E Entrance from Royal Library.
F Entrance from North Library.
G For Registration of Copyrights.
H_ Ladies’ Cloak-Room,
' J Atrndsvis’ Room.
K. Gentlemen’s Cloak-Room,
L For Gentlemen,
fi Umbrella-Room,
N Assistants’ Room.
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1858.
CON TE NYS:
ORIGIN OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES... .. 7
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES 9
DECORATION, &C. OF NEW READING-ROOM .. .. .. 18
PaGR |)
INCREASE-OF THE LIBRARY .2+u' eyo cose wet wie 5 @
| ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM .. .. .. IL}
LONDON : PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET
AND CHARING CROSS.
BRITISH MUSEUM.
NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES.
THE new Reading-Room and Libraries of the British Museum
are now completed. The Times, in a leading article on the
7th of May last year, contained a general description of the
building then in progress, and we gladly avail ourselves of
_ the permission liberally granted by that Journal to extract
from its pages the substance of another article which ap-
_ peared on the 21st of April last, containing concise but very
. accurate details of the structure as it exists in its state of
completeness.
** Tts site, in the internal quadrangle of the Museum, has
concealed its progress from the public eye, although the
| lofty and capacious edifice occupies an area of 48,000 super-
ficial feet. This site was indeed its proper and only situation,
from the obvious necessity of the new Reading-room being
adjacent to the vast magazines of books and manuscripts
contained in the various apartments of the Museum.
INCREASE OF THE LIBRARY.
‘‘The present number of volumes in our great public
| library is upwards of half a million; but even that large
_ figure does not represent the far larger collection of separate
and distinct articles—in tracts, pamphlets, and manuscripts.
_ They are legion, and not yet accurately catalogued or com-
6 INCREASE OF THE LIBRARY,
puted. Probably, the enormous quantity of pamphlets,
political, theological, and scientific, of Great Britain, since
the Reformation, constitute the British Museum Library one
of the largest collections of printed literature in the world.
Maps also form a relatively considerable portion. The rate
of increase is enormous, In the Parliamentary return for the
year ending the 24th of December, 1856, not yet published,
it will appear that the last annual additions number 10,434
volumes, including music, maps, and newspapers, of which
753 were presented, 4010 purchased, and 5831 acquired by
home copyright. The number of parts of volumes was
27,516. In addition, the Library had accumulated numerous
maps, charts, and plans, variously obtained. The number
of pieces of music alone added was 2347, In gross, the total
additional articles that year numbered 42,639. Of the com-
plete works accumulated in the twelve months, 1901 were
presented, 2005 purchased, and 7933 were acquired under
the Copyright Acts. In the same year, also, each article
being impressed with the Museum stamp, the number used
was 162,940!
‘¢The number of books returned to the shelves of the
General Library, was 110,875; to those of the Royal Library,
8869; to those of the Grenville Library, 1018; to the closets
in which books are kept from day to day for the use of the
readers, 79,598; making a total of 200,358, or 684 per diem.
Adding the number of volumes returned to the shelves of
the Reading-rooms, about 144,000, the whole amounts to
344,358, or 1175 per diem. The number of readers within
that year was 53,209, or an average of 181 per diem, the
Reading-rooms having been kept open 293 days. Each reader
had, therefore, consulted on an average 64 volumes per diem.
“Thus had the Library outgrown its local habitation since
its foundation in 1753, when the first contents of ‘Montagu
House,’ Bloomsbury, consisted of the Sloane Collection, in-
cluding only a few books, the Harleian MSS., and the Cot-
tonian Library; Parliament providing no money, but by Act
authorising the provision of 30,000/. by a Lottery! The old
cc
a ee
ORIGIN OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES, 7
mansion continued perfectly sufficient for the whole miscel-
laneous contents of the Museum until a few new rooms were
added for the Egyptian antiquities obtained in 1801, and for
the Townley Marbles. In 1823 the present entirely new
building, designed by Sir Robert Smirke, became necessary.
Montagu House was finally levelled with the ground in 1845,
the new portico being only finished April 19, 1847. It is
worthy of record that in the month of July, 1759, only five
readers attended the public reading-room.
OrIGiIn oF New READING-Room AND LIBRARIES.
“‘ The utter insufficiency of the institution for book room
and accommodation for readers existed during the last four
Parliaments, and without aremedy. The public, the trustees,
men of letters in the Legislature, in vain devised various
plans, and demanded pecuniary aid from the Commons.
Select committee reports and annual returns followed in
succession. It is sufficient now to refer our readers to the
two volumes of reports in 1835 and 1836, and to the various
Parliamentary returns asked for since 1850; to similar Par-
liamentary volumes on Public Libraries in 1849 and 1850;
and, lastly, to the effective Report of the Royal Commission
(with 800 appended folio pages of evidence) appointed to
inquire into the constitution and government of the Museum.
The practical result was an unanimous representation of the
Commissioners that ‘the subject of additions to the Museum
was one which must evidently, at no distant period, engage
| the attention of Her Majesty’s Government.’ Mr. Hume,
fortunately, was an active member of the Commission, and
concurred from honest conviction in the necessity of an early
and munificent grant of public money. The Royal Commis-
sioners, reporting the inadequacy of book-room, the injury
te the valuable contents of the library by the existing read-
ing-room arrangements, the slave-labour of the attendants,
and the bad accommodation of the readers, stated that ‘ these
circumstances have suggested to Mr. Panizzi a scheme of
extension by which the buildings to be constructed would
a
—
|
|
|
|
|
8 ORIGIN OF NEW READING-ROOM AND LIBRARIES,
consist of new MSS. rooms and a new enlarged reading-room, ~
which would enable the trustees to devote the present MSS.
rooms, including that at present made over to the Grenville
Library, to the printed books.’ This report lay dormant
almost for four years. ‘ Questions’ were constantly asked in
the House of Commons as to the intentions of the Ministers
of the day. The ordinary annual vote was now and then
opposed by individual members, on the ground of the inde-
cision or indifference of the Government to the recommenda-
tions of the Commission. Actually the trustees asked no
more than half of the sum which they conceived desirable
for the purchase of books, assigning the true reason, that the
Library would be inadequate for the reception of increased
contents. Matters thus continued in statuquo. In the mean
time the difficulty of finding room for the current accessions
to the Library became daily greater.
‘The plan alluded to by the Commissioners had to be
abandoned on the ground of expense and delay. As a last
resort, Mr. Panizzi proposed to the trustees that a building
should be erected in the inner quadrangle of the Museum.
By this scheme the cost of purchase would be avoided. This
proposal was aseompanied by drawings showing the ground-
plan, and a general detail of the manner in which it waa |
suggested that the interior arrangements for the accommoda-
tion of the readers and of books should be framed, The
architect of the trustees, Mr, Sydney Smirke, reported favour-
ably on this plan; and the result is a building, than which
none are better, few perhaps so thoroughly, adapted to the
purposes for which it is intended. Ona ‘Supply night,’ the
3rd of July, 1854, Parliament, by its last evening vote, on
the ‘ miscellaneous estimates,’ granted 55,225/. for the
‘British Museum establishment,’ towards its ordinary expen- |
diture, and 101,142/. for ‘new buildings and fittings.’ In _
this latter gross estimate there was an item of 61,000l. on
account ‘for the erection of a building within the interior
quadrangle, for the purpose of affording increased accom-
modation.’ The first grant was not haJf enough, as will soon
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROOM, &C. 9
_ be seen; still it was a beginning, and laid the foundation.
Within three years the vast structure has been completed,
at the cost of 150,000/., or about that sum when all con-
tingent expenses are accounted for.
CoNSTRUCTION OF New REApinc-Room Anp LIBRARIES.
‘«The Reading-room is circular. The entire building does
not occupy the whole quadrangle, there being a clear interval
of from 27 to 30 feet all round, to give light and air to the
surrounding buildings, and as a guard against possible de-
struction by fire from the outer parts of the Museum. The
dome of this Reading-room is 140 feet in diameter, its
height being 106 feet. In this dimension of diameter it is
only inferior to the Pantheon of Rome by 2 feet; St. Peter’s
being only 139; Sta. Maria in Florence, 139; the tomb of
Mahomet, Bejapore, 135; St. Paul’s; 112; St. Sophia, Con-
stantinople, 107, and the Church at Darmstadt, 105. The
| new Reading-room contains 1,250,000 cubic feet of space; its
‘suburbs,’ or surrounding libraries, 750,000. The building
is constructed: principally of iron, with brick arches between
the main ribs, supported by 20 iron piers, having a sectional
area of 10 superficial feet to each, including the brick casing,
or 200 feet in all. This saving of space by the use of iron
is remarkable, the piers of support on which our dome rests
only thus occupying 200 feet, whereas the piers of the
Pantheon of Rome fill 7477 feet of area, and those of the
tomb of Mahomet 5593. Upwards of 2000 tons of iron have
been employed in the construction. The weight of the
materials used in the dome is about 4200 tons—viz. up-
wards of 200 tons on each pier. The first standard was only
fixed in January, 1855. The framework and scaffolding
upon which the dome rested were removed on the 2nd of the
following June. No subsidence or ‘set’ of material was ob-
servable on the wedges being removed. The entire dome
was roofed in and copper covering laid in September, 1855.
The roof is formed into two separate spherical and con-
centric air chambers, extending over the whole surface; one
ee
——— EES
between the external covering and brick vaulting, the object _
being the equalization of temperature during extremes of —
heat and cold out of doors; the other chamber, between the
brick vaulting and the internal visible surface, being intended |
to carry off the vitiated air from the Reading-room. This |
ventilation is effected through apertures in the soffites of the |
windows, and partly by others at the top of the dome; the ‘|
bad air passing through outlets provided around the lantern.
In order to obviate the effects of condensation, all the sky-
lights, lanterns, and windows throughout the building are
double. The quantity of glass used amounts to about
60,000 superficial feet. In order to guard against the con- |
sequences of an avalanche of snow falling from the dome on
to the surrounding libraries, the building has been carried
up outside perpendicular to such a height above the spring
of the arch as to form a gallery nine feet in width, provided
with proper outlets, by which the snow is intercepted.
‘‘This Reading-room contains ample and comfortable ac-
commodation for 300 readers. Each person will have allotted
to him a space of 4 feet 3 inches long. He is screened from
the opposite occupant by a longitudinal division, which is —
fitted with a hiaged desk graduated on sloping racks, and a —
folding shelf for spare books. In the space between the ~
two, which is recessed, an inkstand is fixed, having suitable
penholders. Thus the whole table-top is free from writing |)
implements or other embarrassments, and every precaution
is taken to preserve the books if the readers will but use
common care.
“The framework of each table is of iron, forming air-dis-
tributing channels, which are contrived so that the air may
be delivered at the top of the longitudinal screen division, |
above the level of the heads of the readers, or, if desired,
only at each end pedestal of the tables, all the outlets
being under the control of valves. A tubular footrail also”
passes from end to end of each table, which may have a
current of warm water through it at pleasure, and be used
as a footwarmer if required. 3
eee
eee
——as
r
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING-ROOM, &c. 1]
‘‘ The Catalogue tables, with shelves under, and air-dis-
tributing tubes between, are ranged in two concentric circles
around the central superintendent’s enclosure or raised plat-
_ form, the latter being fitted with tables, ticket-boxes, and
with dwarf partitions surmounted by glass screens, dividing
a passage leading to the surrounding libraries. The pedestals
of the tables form tubes communicating with the air-chamber
below, which is 6 feet high, and occupies the whole area of
the Reading-room. It is fitted with hot-water pipes, arranged
in radiating lines. The supply of fresh air is obtained from
a shaft 60 feet high, built on the north side of the north
wing about 300 feet distant, communicating with a tunnel
or sub-way, which has branches or ‘ loop-lines’ fitted with
valves for diverting the current either wholly through the
_ heating apparatus, or through the cold-air flues, or partly
through either, as occasion may require. The air-channels
' are of sufficient capacity to admit a supply of fresh air for
500 persons at the rate of 10 cubic feet per minute, and at a
_ velocity not exceeding 1:0 foot per second. For summer venti-
lation steam-pipes, placed at the summit of the roofs and
_ dome, will be heated, and extract the foul air when the exter-
__ nal and internal temperature is unfavourable for the purpose.
“‘The arrangement of the presses is throughout peculiar.
It is calculated that the shelves within the Dome-room will
contain 80,000 volumes, Two lifts are placed at convenient
stations for the purpose of raising the books to the level of
the sevefal gallery floors. The bookcases are of novel and
simple construction, the uprights or standards being formed
» _ of malleable iron galvanized and framed together, having
—
fillets of beech inserted between the iron to receive the brass
/pins upon which the shelves rest. The framework of the
_book-cases forms the support for the iron perforated floors
of the gallery avenues, and which are generally 8 feet wide,
the central 6 feet being appropriated to the perforated floor,
and the remainder being a clear space between the back of
the books and the flooring, by which contrivance the light
from the skylights (in all cases extending to the full width
A
a ee
|
of the avenues) is thrown down the back of the books on
each story, so that the lettering may be easily discerned
throughout the book ranges.
‘The shelves are formed of iron galvanized plates, edged
with wainscot and covered with russet hide leather, and
having a book-fall attached. They are fitted at each end
with galvanized iron leather covered, and wadded pads placed
next the skeleton bookcase framing, to prevent injury to the
binding when the books are taken out or replaced. Between
these pads the skeleton framing of the cases forms an
aperture by which a current of air may pass and ventilation
be kept up throughout. The shelves rest upon brass pins,
the holes for which are pierced at three-quarters of an inch
apart from centre to centre; but by a contrivance in cranking
the shaft of the pin, which may be turned upwards or down-
wards, this interval is practically halved, and the position of
the shelves may be altered three-eighths of an inch at a time.
There are 2,750,000 of these holes!
‘«Tn all cases, except against the external walls, the book-
cases are double, the books being placed on both sides, a
lattice of iron-work being fixed for their longitudinal separa-
tion. Thus, throughout the whole interior of the new build-
ing there are no walls, the division being in all cases formed
of a double range of books, fore-edge to fore-edge. The only
exception is at the shelving provided for newspapers, a single
range of which necessarily occupies the space of two ranges ©
of books, Three thousand superficial feet of cases are pro-
vided for newspapers.
‘For convenience of access to the galleries, the staircases
have been placed so that, throughout the building, they are
within 40 feet of each other. The building contains 3 miles _
lineal of bookcases, 8 feet high; assuming them all to be
spaced for the averaged octavo book size, the entire ranges —
form 25 miles of shelves. Assuming the shelves to be filled
with books, of paper of average thickness, the leaves placed
edge to edge would extend about 25,000 miles, or more than
three times the diameter of the globe!
DECORATION, &C. OF NEW READING-ROOM. 13
“The cost, about 150,000/., includes the fittings and
furniture and the necessary shelves for immediate use.
Decoration, &c. or NEw REeApinc-Room.
“Tn the decoration of the interior dome, light colours and
the purest gilding have been preferred. The great room,
therefore, has an illuminated and elegant aspect. The de-
corative work may be shortly described:—The inner surface
of the dome is divided into twenty compartments by moulded
ribs, which are gilded with leaf prepared from unalloyed
gold, the soffites being in ornamental patterns, and the edges
touching the adjoining margins fringed with a leaf-pattern
scollopededge. Each compartment contains a circular-headed
window, 27 feet high and 12 feet wide, with three panels
above, the central one being medallion-shaped, the whole
bordered with gilt mouldings and lines, and the field of the
panels finished in encaustic azure blue, the surrounding
margins being of a warm cream-colour. The details of the
windows are treated in like manner,—the spandril panels
blue; the enriched column and pilaster caps, the central
flowers, the border moulding and lines being all gilded; the
margins cream-colour throughout. The moulded rim of the
lantern light, which is painted and gilded to correspond, is
40 feet diameter. The sash is formed of gilt moulded ribs
radiating from a central medallion, in which the Royal mono-
gram is alternated with the Imperial Crown.
«The cornice, from which the dome springs, is massive
and almost wholly gilded, the frieze being formed into panels
bounded by lines terminating at the ends with a gilt fret
ornament. Hach compartment of the dome is marked by a
' bold enriched gilt console, which forms at once the support
of the main rib and the base for a colossal marble statue, a
series of which it is proposed to place on the cornice.
«“ Between the cornice and the floor the space is filled with
_ the bookcases and galleries of access, the cornice, standards,
_ and railings of which are wholly gilded, the panels of the sof-
fites of the latter being blue, having gilded ornaments therein.
Se
‘* The tables and enclosures are of wainscot, the chairs of
mahogany, the floors being covered with kamptulicon.
“The main entrance into the new Reading-room is direct
from the Great Hall, and there are secondary entrances for
the officers from the King’s Library and the Great Northern
Library rooms, through which all books are conveyed to
the centre of the Reading-room, whence they are distributed,
‘“‘The amalgamation of the several catalogues, which are
drawn up on various plans, into one catalogue prepared on a
uniform plan, is proceeding rapidly. Letters A, B, C, D,
E, F constitute about one-third of the entire catalogue, and
this portion, completed, will be placed in the new Reading-
room on its opening ; it will be comprised in nearly 500
volumes. The completion of this Herculean work is now
under the responsible superintendence of Mr. J. Winter
Jones, the successor of Mr. Panizzi in the keepership of the
department of printed books, Mr. Panizzi being now the
Principal Librarian.”
‘* The architect, Mr. Smirke, has the merit of the pre-
paration of the original and first designs. The contractors, |
Messrs. Baker dnd Fielder, share no common deserts in their
professional labours. Indeed the skill, perseverance, and in-
genious resources of their managing partner, Mr. Fielder,
have been beyond all praise. It is gratifying to record that
such a vast and lofty building has been completed without
loss of a single life or any serious accident.” The warming
and ventilating arrangements have been carried out by Messrs.
Haden of Trowbridge.
ARRANGEMENTS OF New READING-Room.
We will now proceed to describe more at length the |
internal fittings and arrangements of the Reading-room,
which will be better understood by reference to the plan
which forms the frontispiece to this paper. A, on the plan,
shows the circular enclosure occupied by the Superintendent,
the Clerk, and the attendants. The Trustees, having suc-
ceeded in providing for the public a Reading-room superior
ail
scene A A ES i SS
t
ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM. 15
in its construction and appointments to all other buildings
of the same class, have determined to afford the readers
every possible facility in the prosecution of their various
inquiries. With this view they have selected one of the
superior officers of the Library, and placed the general
management of the Reading-room in his hands. This officer
is also charged with the special duty of assisting the
readers in their researches ; and, from his central position
in the Reading-room, will be readily accessible to all, and
able to superintend the whole service. This gentleman,
possessing a large store of miscellaneous information, an
extensive acquaintance with the languages and literature of
modern Europe, and an intimate knowledge of the contents
of the Library, is eminently qualified to discharge the duties
confided to him to the great advantage of the readers. It is
anticipated that, by this arrangement, the Trustees will meet a
want which has been long felt, and will infinitely increase the
utility of the National Library to all who desire to consult it.
B indicates the catalogue-tables, which are arranged
round the Superintendent’s enclosure. In addition to the
catalogues, these tables will be furnished with printed
tickets, containing on one side the regulations to be ob-
served by the readers in applying for and returning the
manuscripts and printed books they desire to use, and on
the other a form to be filled up with certain particulars
" relating to the works they send for.
C represents the tables. These are 35 in number; eight
are 34 feet long, and accommodate 16 readers, 8 on each
| side; nine are 30 feet long, and accommodate 14 readers,
7 on each side; two are 30 feet long, and accommodate
8 readers each, viz. 7 on one side and 1 on the other; these
_ two tables are set apart for the exclusive use of ladies ;
sixteen other tables are 6 feet long, and accommodate 2
readers each ; these have no divisions between them, and
are fitted up with rising desks of a large size for those
readers who may have occasion to consult works beyond
the usual dimensions.
| 16 ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM.
oS NE AE SE Oe SE onan ban wen
E, F, D show the openings leading from the North
Library and the King’s Library to the New Reading-room,
When readers have filled up their tickets they hand them to
the attendants in the central enclosure, by whom they are
passed to other attendants, whose duty it is to fetch the
printed books or manuscripts from the shelves of the libra-
ries. Through these openings, D, E, and F, the books are
brought to the central enclosure, and thence conveyed by
the Reading-room attendants to the readers ; the readers’
tickets, filled up as above described, being then deposited in
boxes constructed for the purpose within the superin-
tendent’s enclosure, and retained until the books they
respectively describe have been returned by the readers,
when the tickets are given up.
The book-presses under the gallery are filled with a large
library of reference for the use of the readers, comprising
most of the standard works on the various branches of J
learning, and an extensive collection of dictionaries of all |}
languages, biographical works, encyclopedias, parliamentary }
histories, topdégraphical works, &c. &c. These books,
which are about 20,000 in number, the readers can consult ~
at pleasure without filling up tickets for them.
On each side of the passage from the Entrance Hall,
through which the readers enter, officers will be vlacedsil
charged with the duty of seeing that no persons pass to the
Reading-room who are not Bae with the necessary
ticket of admission.
LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, ~
AND CHARING CROSS.
MANY THOUSA
: HAS COMMENCED WIT
and will be continued until the Tr
familiarly laid before the Public; t
contents than can be otherwise obtal
and time which few are able to affol
distance from the Metrepolis, whose
visiting it impossible, or at least unlib
"WD ILLUSTRATED
BY
ID ENGR
iB NUMBER FOR MARCH 12th,
ures of this Great National Storehous
giving a more intimate knowledge ¢
21
M.
and -
famil
conte
and t
dista)
VISiti
The British Museum Explained and Illustrated.
aes" ‘BY P. H. RICHARDSON, FSQ.
ss GMAPTER I. THE QUADRANGLE AND HALL.
Tue object ofthe articles in this publication relating
tothe British Museum, is an. attempt to introduce the
general visitor to a more ready and intimate knowledge
- its treasures, natural, antiquarian, ‘scientific, and
‘barbaric, than can be otherwise obtained, except by
study and a devotion of life and time, which few are able
to afford. As.the spectator passes through the im-
mense collection with the synopsian guide in his hand,
which however well it is designed, is necessarily but a
_| catalosue of its contents, his imagination becomes con-
fused with the multiplicity and grandeur of the objects
presented to his sight... On referring to his guide he in
yain seeks for instruction, for some explanation of the
‘objects he’ sees, and of the greater part of which he is
entirely. unacquainted ; all he finds are the names of the
© ett ale, = oe
migmas; and though he may admire the wonderful
‘reations of nature, the primeval attempts of barbarian
genius, or the unequalled perfection of antiquarian art
yet in general he sees them but as the passive dreams
of imagination ; their. volubility is. diminished or lost.
Is will in this attempt be our endeavour, in some mea-
ure, to remedy this, not only by giving a passing de-
scription of the entire contents of this unrivalled esta-
blishment, but. by selecting some excelling portion of
every class, by which a general yet more perfect know-
ledge of the whole may be obtained, and thus that which
for the reasons alleged is now.in general seen but as a
strange yet interesting show, may become better com-
prehended and known. Of those subjects in the collec-
tion which more particularly excite notice and mark each
‘class, engravings-are given, in which all meritorious
‘ornament or attempt at effect is avoided, and only true’
and exact representations are given. | |
bs =
ne (ame
——$$$_— Fr
f This ancient building in which the British Museum
is formed was the mansion of the Duke of Mon-
tague, in London, in the reign of Queen Anne; it
was built by him on a French plan, on his return
from his embassy in France ; the architect was Peter
Paget, a native of Marseilles. His reputation as an
artist was great at the time. It succeeded an edi-
fice which was designed by Dr. Hook in 1674, and
which was destroyed by fire two years after ; the length
is two hundred and sixteen feet, and the height to the
cornice is fifty-seven. It consists of one quadrangle,
the south side of which is in the same style as. Bur-
jington-house, and has an Ionic colonnade; the wings
are the dwellings of the officers connected with the esta-
blishment; the edifice itself possesses neither beauty nor
convenience ; the exterior wall and entrance has the
heavy elevation of baronial pride, and the interior of
the court has the same character. Immediately within
the entrance of the main body of the building, on the
northern side, is a large and lofty hall and staircase,
decorated in fresco by Rousseau and Le Fosse—the first
the apotheosis of Isis, and the assembly of the gods by
the last. They are masterly designed and executed, but
neglect more than age, perhaps, has almost entirely de-
faced them. ~~
At the time of the formation of the Museum in 1752,
in conformity to the will of the celebrated Sir Hans
Sloane, (who left his museum to the nation, on condition
that the parliament provided a house sufficiently adapted
for its reception, and also paid to his executors the sum
of twenty thousand pounds for that which had cost him
fifty, ) the institution was formed. To this collection, which
at that time was of far greater importance than it is at
the present day, and was then classed among the first
in Europe, others were added, at the time, by order of
parliament, which, with the purchase of the building
united, amounted to the sum of eighty-five thousand
pounds. This sum was raised by way of lottery.
Being immediately under the care of government,
the concerns of the Museum are conducted by fifteen
trustees, who rank among the highest and most ho-
nourable officers of the state. This noble col!ection con-
tains, besides the Sloanian museum, the libraries of Sir
Robert Cotton, and Major Edwards, the celebrated Har-
leian collection of manuscripts, the Greek and Etruscan
ce ST ae RR th wp abd fy (ea re rh ee Dra ee Poy eS aa ee, i) eee Mai Dees
reliefs which were collected by Mr. '‘fownly, the manu-
scripts of the late Marquis of Lansdowne, and the unique
spoils celebrated through all antiquity of the Parthenon
at Athens, the celebrated temple of Minerva called the
Elgin marbles. The whole library of the books and
manuscripts collected by the kings of England, from the
reign of Henry the Seventh to William the Third, was
presented to it by George the Second. A collection of
pamphlets published between 1640 and 1660, and con-
taining all the political occurrences of that eventful
period was given to it by George the Third, also by
George the Fourth the celebrated royal library which
had been collected by his father. In 1803, that collec-
tion of Egyptian antiquities which had been sedulously
chosen by the savans of Napoleon in his invasion of
Egypt, were, after the capitulation of Alexandria, de-
posited here by government, Among later acquisitions
are Greenwood’s collection of stuffed birds, Halked’s
minerals, and oriental manuscripts, Tyssend’s collection
of Saxon coins, Dr, Bentley’s classics, the Greville col-
lection of minerals, Dr. Birch’s library, Gustayus
Branders’ collection of fossils, and the collection of
classics by Thomas Tyrwhitt, Esq., and Sir William Mus-
grave; also a splendid collection of books, prints,
coins, medals, shells, and gems, which were bequeathed
by the Rev. Mr. Crecherode, and many other private
donations from various quarters.
On entering the court-yard of the Museum, the atten-
tion of the visitor is attracted by some remains of anti- |
quity which meet his view ; among them is one which}
more particularly deserves notice, as it is, perhaps, the
most ancient relic of naval architecture of our ancestors ||__
which has reached our time. It is a canoe or boat which
some few years ago was discovered at Petworth, in Sussex,
on the estate of the late Earl of Egremont. In the left
bank of the river Arun, at the village of North Stoke,
three miles from Arundel, near the South Downs, in aj
meadow between the villages of North and South Stoke,
where the river takes a turn ina creek that runs into it,
there this canoe was found embedded in the mud, one
part was completely buried, and the other was visible
about two feet under water. From time immemorial it
had been thought to be the stump of an old tree, and
1 was allowed to remain there, a8 it formed a support for
one end of a flat wooden bridge which connected the
two meadows, the same as are generally employed in
like situations. Thus situated, and thus considered, it
| formed no impediment to the flow of water which passed
in front,and it remained undisturbed. About 20 years ago
a farmer who wanted theland, thought proper to straiten
the line by cutting off the curved part; this brought the
flow of water angularly across the old piece of timber,
and he cut away as much of the wood as intercepted the
drain. A bridge soon after having been built higher up,
it was thought proper to remove the old piece of timber,
or old tree, as it was supposed. Uponthe labourers em-
ployed to effect this, finding how large it was, they
attached eleven horses to it by an iron chain, and then,
with great difficulty, drew it to the land, with its load
of mud and flint. Its real form and character were then ,
discernible ; it proved to be one halfof the stem of a large
oak, hollowed and cut into the shape of a canoe. The ex-
treme toughness of its substance is shown, that although
its thickness is but four inches and a half at the bottom
of the vessel, and the stem to which the chain was fas-
tened, and by which it was drawn up the sloping bank,
jis elevated four feet, while the opposite end was in the
water, with its load of mud init, it still resisted the action
and counteraction of these forces in safety, and was
drawh entire to the flat surface. The size of this vessel
is as follows:—Its length is thirty-four feet, its depth
one foot ten inches, the width in the middle four feet six,
and its thickness at the bettom four inches and a-half;
one foot and a-half at the stem, and one foot eight inches
at the stern, and the sides one inch and a half. At the
bottom three bars are left at different distances, which
serve to strengthen the whole, and give a firm footing
to those who worked the vessel. It has no appearance
of its having had a rudder attached to it; but there is a
notch, which probably has been for the oar which guided
it. Of its antiquity there are but slight means of judging ;
but its blackened condition and fibrous texture prove,
like that of wood buried in bogs, that it must have been
for ages immersed in water. The extreme simplicity of
its construction indicates that it must have been the pro-
duction of an early and rude condition of man. It is of
much greater antiquity than the vessel found some years
since in the bed of the Rother, as it has the appearance
of having been hollowed by fire. From a combination
of circumstances, it may, with safety, be regarded as a
relic of the aboriginal Britons, and wrought before or
soon after the arrival of the Romans.
Passing from the court-yard to the entrance-hall of
the “Museum, a variety of objects strike the eye, which
are well worthy of observation. On the right hand, the
figure of a celebrated.E astern philosopher and. saint is
seen, and deserves attention, not only from) the singu-
larity of the sculpture, but as the representation of a man
who, in all probability, existed prior to the age of Moses,
or the earliest of ‘Hebrew prophets and leaders... The
statue itself bears marks of considerable antiquity ; and
as the Hindoos and Birmans are ‘religiously and strictly
bound neyer to alter the representation of their deities or
prophets, it probably is the copy of one of earlier date,
All the statues of this saint, which are known throughout
Hindostan and the more eastern parts of Asia, bear
close resemblance to each other. A brief account of his
doctrines, which though now, as many others in the
present age, are in some degree corrupted, may not be
misplaced here.
EA 2G
Ci ER S
This is the statue of the celebrated Gaudma, Godama,
Boagh, or Budda. By these different names is he known
in various parts of Hindostan, and particularly in the
Birman empire. Godemana is the common appellation
in India beyond the Ganges. It is said by the Bramins,
that it signifies wise man or sage. It is supposed that
this Godama or Gaudma, was originally an Indian Prince,
deified by superstition. There exists an ancient treatise,
which gives an account of the religious principles of
Gaudma: itis entitled “ Zorado.” He is there said to have
attained divinity at the age of thirty-five, and to have
preached his law for forty-five years, and to have taught
salvation to all human beings. According to this trea-
tise, cited by Dr. Buchan, his doctrines and his laws
chiefly consist in observing five commandments, and
abstaining from ten sins. The five commandments are
,as follow :—First,—From the meanest insect, up to man,
thou shalt kill no animal whatever. Second,—Thou
shalt not steal. Third,—Thou shalt not violate the wife
or- concubine of another. Fourth,—Thou shalt tell
nothing false. Fifth,—Thou shalt drink neither wine or
anything that will intoxicate, nor eat opium or other
Den See: ee Li: is ee ees eee ee Mien Pe ee» it, ba So ee ones
ASD)
Rs A>.
Val
NA
V4
liable to poverty, or other misfortunes and calamities.
The ten sins consist in the slaying of animals, in theft, |
falsehood, adultery and discord, harsh and indignant
language, idle and superfluous talk, the coveting of your
neighbour’s goods, envy,and the desire of your neighbour's
death or misfortune, and the following the doctrine of
false gods. Every one who abstains from these sins
shall successively increase in virtue through all his suc-
cessive transmigrations through different worlds, and at
length he will become worthy of beholding his Creator,
and hearing his great voice. He will also be exempted
from the four human miseries—poverty, old age, disease,
and death. The good works required are the giving
alms, and thoughtfully pronouncing three words. Who-
ever dies without abstinence and good works here pre-
scribed, will certainly pass into one of the infernal states,
and be doomed to certain transmigrations of evil. The
priests of Gaudma. are called, in the Burmese language,
Rahans, and they have likewise bestowed on them the
title of Tomora or Pamora, which is likewise applied to
the images of the divinity, when he is represented—as
he generally is—in a priestly habit. Gaudma com-
manded his images and relics to be constantly washed ;
the most celebrated of his temples have what is singular
as resemblipg the Egyptian, a pyramidal form, TIlis
‘images are of all materials—of copper, gold, clay, silver,
or alabaster. Many, like this in the Museum, are richly
eilt, and adorned with paintings of flowers ; they are of
different sizes, but all in the same position, and bear re-
semblance to each other ; and there is placidity and peace
to be observed in the countenance of all, Among other
objects of great veneration of the followers of Gaudma, }
are stones of large dimensions, one of which is seen
with the figure in the Museum, on which the impression
==
at ee a
A
7
of his foot is represented, covered with various hiero-
elyphics. The principal disciples or followers of Gaudma
are considered as saints, and his figure is generally ac-
companied by many of them in priestly habits. Every
true disciple prays before he goes to rest, and before he
rises in the morning at the dawnof day. Friday is with
them considered as unfortunate, and on it they under-
take no business; they keep holy no particular day of the
week, and make offerings on the phases of the moon,
especially at the full and change; which may be con-
sidered as the Gaudma Sabbaths. This sect esteem the
opinion of a Divine Being, who created the universe, to
be highly impious; and, accordingly, his followers are,
strictly speaking, atheists, as they suppose everything
to arise from fate and necessity, and their gods are
merely men who, by their virtues, acquire supreme hap-
piness, and by their wisdom become entitled to impose
law on all human beings.
In this Hall are
several statues:
that of Shakes-
peare, by Roubil-
liac, is sculptured
with all the exqui-
site skill of that
celebrated artist,
time possesses all |
the faults of his |
school. - The only
authentic lkeness
which exists of
that great master
of the heart, which |
this statue is in-|
‘tended to repre-/
sent, is his bust)
t Stratford-upon--
Avon, to which {ll
this bears no re-
semblance. The
countenance of the lll]
figure here has no
trace of genius; it is rather that of a bon vivant, “a
oP]
good fellow,” it seems, joining in bacchanalian chorus.
The figure is that of a stout, well-fed, dull gour-
mand, whose name and wit is forgotten after his depar-
ture, and not that of one who “ will live through all time.”
The figure is fat, awkward, and puny. The habiliments
are not those of the age in which he lived, but rather the
aldermanic finery of the sculptor’s day. Thestatue of Sir J.
Banks, by Chantrey is finely executed; it shows the talent
of that artist; the character of the naturalist is drawn.
The countenance is intellectual, and displays genius and
research. ©
In the same hall, and close to the statue of Shake-
speare, is that of the Honourable Anne Seymour
Damer, of which the accompanying is a sketch. She
was a lady of some fortune, and a liberal patroness 0 f
sculpture, for which she had no little taste, and is even |
reported to have herself wielded the chisel. The statue 1s}
by Westmacott, but the
miniature of the figure of
“¢ Father Thames,” placed
in her arms, is said to have
been sculptured by herself.
| There are many persons
who consider it very pro-
blematical, and are inclined
to the opinion that Mr.
Westmacott was its artist,
and flattered the vanity of
the lady by allowing it to
be supposed that it was
her production. As Mr.
Westmacott, however, ad-
heres to the opposite as-
| sertion, it is only just that
due credence should be
given to him. Be this
doubt as it may, the work
of art is one of some
merit, and deserves con-
siderably more notice than
has hitherto been given
to it.
In passing into the passage which leads to the Gallery
of Sculptures, are some of the largest animals known.
Among them are three of the genus Rhinoceros, of
Southern Africa; they were obtained for the Museum
from the Association for Exploring Central Africa. One
of them, the Rhinoceros Kitloa, was before unknown.
This animal, called the Rhinoceros unicornus, or “ one
horned,” is of the class Mammalia ; it is distinguished
into two species by the number of its horns, That
} which has but one horn ranks among the largest of the
quadrupeds ; in size of body he is equal to the ele-
phant ; his height is, however, less, his legs being
_jshorter ; near the extremity of the nose he has a single
horn, which is black and smooth. This is sometimes
three feet and a half in length; it forms the peculiar
character of his race. He has a disproportionate upper
lip, which hangs over the lower one, and terminates in
a point; and the animal, by the assistance of the muscles,
moves it with great dexterity in collecting his food and
conveying it to y his mouth, The nostrils are in a transverse
direction ; the ears are pointed and large; the skin is
rough and nearly naked of covering, and, ‘about the neck,
is gathered into immense folds; a “fold extends between
the shoulders and fore legs, and another from the hinder
part of the back to the thighs; the disproportionate
‘size of the legs make the body, from its great bulk,
hang low; "the breadth of the feet do not exceed
the size of the legs. This animal was known to the
ancients ; Pliny mentions it as an animal that, in the
games given by Pompey, appeared in the circus at
Rome, and was brought to combat with an elephant,
against which it was an unequal foe. It is described by
Aristotle, and is mentioned by the historian of Alex- )
ander as one of the strange animals met with in their
march in India. It isa native of Bengal, Siam, and
Cochinchina; also is found in China and in the islands;
of Java and Sumatra. It isa stupid, solitary animal
—fond of shady forests adjoiming rivers, and wet and
marshy plains are his favourite haunts, unless attacked.
Its temper is mild and inoffensive, but provoked, its
rage is desperate and dangerous, It reaches the age of
fifty or sixty years. During the first month, the young
one is not larger than a dog: ; the horn is at first i imper-
ceptible, but increases by slow degrees. At the age of
two years, he has hardly attained his height. His eyes
are small, and his sight is dull; but he possesses the
sense of smelling and hearing in great perfection. ‘The
Se a ge ee i ee en ee ee ee eae |
prickly shrubs. The skin has been said to be impreg-
nable to a bullet, but it is not the case. In taste, his
flesh resembles pork. :
Before the window on the left is a Hippopotamus.
This animal, which derives its name from sos, a
horse, evorajzo¢, a river, is called the river-horse or sea-
cow ; its head is of enormous size, and the mouth very
large ; the ears are pointed and small; the hair on the
bedy thin, yet very strong, and the colour a dusky
brown; his bulk is next to the elephant, being 17 feet
in length, and the circumference of his body is some-
times 15; his legs about three feet; the girth of his
head, which is converse, is near nine, and his mouth
will open two feet wide; the teeth of the lower jaw are
very long, and so hard, that they strike fire with steel
—this probably gave rise to the report among the an-
cients, that the Hippopotamus vomited fire from his
mouth. They inhabit the banks of the African rivers,
from the Niger to the Bergruin, not many miles north
of the Cape, near the rivers of which they for-
merly abounded, but have been nearly exterminated.
From his great bulk, he moves unwillingly on land,
also from the shortness of his legs; he easily takes the
water, which he prefers, and sinks to the bottom, on
which he walks ; he cannot, however, long remain.
under it.. A shy animal, he seeks it as much for con-
cealment as comfort; in day-time, so fearful of being
discovered, that he inhales the tresh air in places where
he is hardly perceptible; if wounded, he attacks the
boats with fury, and sinks them by biting large pieces
= 20 Lh Ea ee Ly Ty ES ee ie TR Chasers | he eat ty ea Te et
‘hor will the affinity be less
ous in water, but, turned on land, their nature is mild,
though a dangerous animal to meet. The way he is
taken is by pit-falls, which are covered over. The
Romans were acquainted with the Hippopotamus ; the
Emperor Augustus had one in his triumph over Cleo-
patra. He is the behemoth of Job, who admirably de-
scribes his manners, food, and haunts— Behold now,
behemoth, he eateth grass like an ox ; now his strength
is in his horns; his bones are strong, his teeth are
pieces of brass; he lyeth under the shady trees in the
covert of the rude fens ; behold, he drinketh up a river;
he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.”
The British Museum Explained and Illustratea.
CHAPTER IIl.—THE LANDING-PLACE.
Sriix lingering on the ground-fioor, the eye rests upon |
a most ingeniously executed specimen of Hindoo sculp-
ture, discovered onthe banks of thesacred river Nerbudda,
which winds through the southern portion of Hindos-
tan to an gxtent of nearly
seven hundred miles. Itmost
probably formed a portion of
some ancient temple, many
having formerly been erected
on the margin of the Ner-
budda. This frragment sug-
gests at first view a strong
resemblance to the ancient
sculpture of the Egyptians;
apparent, when a closer ¢xa-
mination is made. In the
edifices of both we find the &&
prevalent use of colossal sta- (==Ls
tues placed against piers or [oe — di
walls ; sometimes closely attached to, or sculptured on
them, and which may therefore be considered quite as
much to form part of the general embellishment as_spe-
cific objects of adoration. In both we find (as aboye)
caryatid figures usurping the place of columns, and, in-
deed, figures human and animal, enter as much into the
have done in the Egyp-
tian. Looked upon in the
light of an interesting
relic of antiquity, there-
fore, this fragment
claims especial attention.
On ascending the first
staircase, the landing -
presents to our view se-
veral interesting objects
of attraction. Amongst
these, the most promi-
nent is the Llama, an
animal bearing a strong
resemblance to the Ca-
mel, and, like the Camel,
used in its native coun-
try (South America) as
a beast of burthen. Its
utility to the natives may be inferred from the fact
of this animal being able to supply them with both food
and raiment; its flesh being equal to our mutton, and
its hair or wool capable of being woven into cloth that
a modern dandy need not be ashamed of wearing. The
Llama can carry with ease a hundred pounds or more,
-and can travel at the rate of four or five leagues a day ;
but according to the testimony of a Spanish writer, one
De Zarate, it would seem that their manners sadly re-
quire the intervention of some quadrupedal Lord Ches-
terfield, to whom the mission might be confidently en-
trusted. The following is Zarete’s account of the mat-
ter :—‘* Whea Llamas are fatigued, they lie down, and
the load must be taken off, forneither beating nor help
will make them get up. Their weariness is manifested
in a very disagreeable way, for when a man is on one
of them, and the beast is pressed under such circum-
stances, it turns its head and immediately discharges its
saliva, which has a bad odour, into its rider’s face.”
Now if that be not the very height pf animal impudence,
we should like to know what is: but we must still pro-
STess.
Yonder, on the second landing-place, is a fine speci-.
men of the Musk Ox, procured in the late arctic expe-
dition from Melville Islands, and presented by the
fnaeAaeaoe fas Adaasenifesr of sm camimon: hath. to the
|
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i
1
Na,
ene
Kiel NTL ih at
Bom ose
Nit
| i
of Thibetand China, in which latter places it is procured
with less trouble, and esteemed of more value. The
musk, which is contained in a bag attached to the ab-
domen of the male musk animal, is solid, in grains of
different sizes, and of a strong, acrid, disagreeable fla-
A \ NN
vour. A single grain of musk has been known to con- |
stantly fill the air of one apartment with a sensible im-
pregnation for fifty years, without its weight being
perceptibly diminished. How musk possesses such ex-
traordinary powers of scent, is not, indeed, very accu- |
rately ascertained ; but the best chemical analysts have |
supposed it to proceed from a process of putrefaction
going on at the time the odour is emitted.
In juxta-position with the Musk Ox we find the
Polar Bear—a magnificent animal, brought home by
Captain (now Sir John) Ross, from the Melville Islands,
in his first voyage to the North Pole in the year 1818,
This is a fair sample of the Ursine race generally, and
may be looked upon as giving 4 tolerable idea of their |
usual dimensions. They abound in Nova Zembla,
Greenland, and the coasts of Baftin’s and Hudson’s
Bay, but none have ever yet been seen on the shores of
the White Sea. ‘Their diet chiefly consists of the fioat-
ine carcases of whales and other marine animals ; but
that the Polar Bear can subsist equally well ou vege-
———____—. as eee
northern district of Siberia, and to the warmer region
|
| table diet, was proved in the case of two which thrived
<n
for years in the French menagerie, without being per-
mitted to touch animal food. The individual kept in the
Tower during the reign of Henry HT. seems to have been
indulged in food more congenial to their habits, for there
are two ofthe king’s writs extant, in choice Latin, "directing
the sheriffs of London to furnish fourpence a- day “ for our
white bear in our Tower of London and his keeper,”
and to provide a muzzle and iron chain to hold him
when out of the water, and a long and strong rope to
hold him when he is fishing in the Thames. This pro-
vision for animals by “ act of Parliamént” is a subject
that has escaped the attention of our modern legislators,
though we fear acts as arbitrary and for as little purpose
are to be found receiving the royal assent every day.
Over the Musk Ox, we see the Striped Antelope of
Pennant, from the Cape of Good Hope, an animal whose
grace and agility have passed into preverbs. Generally
speaking antelopes are gregarious, and their vision and
smell are so acute as to compel the hunter to use the
greatest caution and circumspection to bring them within
range of the gun. The names, indeed, by which the
animals themselves have been distinguished i in all lan-
guages, have direct reference to this ¢ greatness of sight,
and to the brilliancy of their large black eyes, which
\form their most conspicuous feature. But here on the
se of the Polar Bear we find the Elk, a species of deer,
¢ Nefly found in North America, and a noble animal it
:s! There is, or was lately, one in the Zoological
ens, Regent’s Park, but this is deemed in size
and appearance infinitely superior. Their flesh is|
good but coarse ; eating lke tough venison, and the
tongue and nose are often to be procured at the
tables of the great, where they are esteemed deli-
cacies. They feed on the young leaves and branches
of trees, and may be considered harmless animals enough
unless provoked, and then the hair on the back of the
Elk, bristling up like the mane of a lion, gives him a
wild and frightful appearance. An Elk-chase forms a
scene of the most animated description. The pictu-
resque garb of the hunters, the sterile tracks and prairies
through which they follow their prey, the dangers of the
morass and the pitfall, and above all the clare of the
torches shedding a red unearthly light over the wild
country traver sed in the depth of night, all combine to
render an Elk-chase one of the most exciting scenes
that the imagination can picture, and which par ticipation
in its excitement alone can appreciate.
Here are a few objects of a different nature, which,
however, must not be permitted to pass unnoticed.
They divide the animals above mentioned. The first is
the trunk of an arborescent fern, brought from the
‘mountains to the eastward of Silhet in Bengal, and is
upwards of forty-five feet in height. By its side is
placed a transverse section of another arborescent fern,
and near it is a species of palm, growing in South Ame-
rica. But by far the most conspicuous objects on the
upper landing-place are a male and female Giraffe, or
cameleopard, from South Africa, and another giraffe pre-
sented by the Trustees of the Hunterian Collection, and
which last was the first ever seen in tiis country. The
groupe is completed by a young Indian Elephant and a
Malay Tapir, which, as we shall hereafter again have to
speak of these animals, may remain without farther
description for a few chapters at least. These terminate
the animal curiosities of the first landing; and here we
would entreat the visitor to pause awhile. Let him re-
member that he is on the eve of witnessing all the
most striking objects that nature and art can furnish,
—that he is on the threshold of a spot where human en-
terprise has brought from every clime and every coun-
try something to attract the eye and interest the mind.
Where, trom the rudest indications of barbaric skill on
the one hand, to the highest manifestations of civilized
ingenuity on the other, man has brought into action
those glorious attributes with which his Creator has en-
‘dowed him, and has thus established his claim to the |
ttle of ‘‘ Creation’s Lord.” Here the tenants of the
forest and the denizens of the plain have alike found a |
resting-place ; here the peaceable and the ferocious re- |
main in quiet contact. For this has Nature surrendered |
her stores, Art exhausted its ingenuity, Enterprise ran-
sacked the treasures of the earth, Discovery lent its aid
to diversify the scene, and Antiquity displayed its
choicest relics even though embedded in the rust of
ages. Let him:emember to prize—to appreciate—the
‘Information he will gain, and, like a careful economist,
preserve the pearls of wisdom collected in his youth,
to be the pride and ornament of his old age.
The British Museum Explained and Illustrated.
CHAPTER UI,—THE NEW QUADRANGLE AND THE
FIRST ROOM.
THE necessary alterations that have from time to
time been made in the Museum, have also. forced upon |
the trustees the necessity of improving the exterior, and |
for the better attainment of this object, a new entrance |
and more noble quadrangle has been constructed and
nearly completed, at the back of the one now standing
of which we have previously given an illustration. The
unfinished state in which it at present remains, through
the parsimony of the late government in withholding the
funds, renders any attempt at graphic or particular « des-
cription impossible ; but as doubtless some years will
still elapse before the public are honoured with a view
of it, this is the less necessary.” When sufficient money
is forthcoming to enable those who are employed to
soceed with the works, the old entrance will be re-
Ce a eS i on PE
moved, and this appear in its stead, the annexed wood-
cut giving a very faithful depiction of the new quad-
rangle as ‘far as it has yet been finished. The edifice
was originally projected from the designs of Mr. R.
Smirke, and savours chiefly of the Ionic order. The
facade is ornamented in the centre with a pedimented
portieo of six columns, and has a single line of square
windows with pilasters between those on either side of
the portico. The exterior of the west wing is also de-
corated with a portico, but has no pilasters; and the
east wing, as far as it has been completed, presents a
corresponding appearance. At the north-east and north-
west angles are spacious stone staircases, which appear
severally intended to serve as separate places of ingress
and egress, a plan which, however it may detract from
the majestic aspect of the building, will certainly}
materially increase the comfort of the visitors, inasmuch |
as no confusion amongst them can then possibly arise.
|
|
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————— =a Sanh, ee
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But, however, it is with the first room that our bust- [
ness at present lies; and here we find many objects to
arrest our attention. The ceiling of this apartment is
ornamented in the same style as that of the staircase,
and is, indeed, a continuation of the same story, both
representing the fable of Phaeton borrowing the Horses
ofthe Sun. The painter was Charles de ‘Rosse, who
had the reputation of being one of the best colourists of
the French school.
In the first case, which chiefly contains the artificial
curiosities of uncivilized tribes and nations, we find some
singular Esquimaux dresses, brought home by Captain
Sir Edward Parry, on his return from the arctic expe-
dition in 1822. It is to this enterprisimg gentleman,
indeed, that we are indebted for various other articlesin
this collection: amongst which we find a whalebone net
used by the Esquimaux to lay under their beds, to pro-
tect them from the snow ; a wooden bowl, remarkable
as being fashioned without the aid of iron tools ; a cup
and spoon, made out of the horns of the musk ox ; some
arms, of nat very formidable appearance; and a culinary|
vessel and lamp, hewn out of solid stone. But the most |
interesting object here, as manifesting the early appli-
cation of scientific principles amongst a nation scarcely
one remove from barbarism, is that of a pair of eye-
shades, formed of bone, which is the simple yet effec-
tive instrument employed by the Esquimaux to defend
their eyes from the too intense light reflected by the
snow. As may be perceived, they have a small narrow
aperture in the centre, and are capable of being fixed
near the eyes by a thong, or strip of skin, passing round
the head; so that, w hen they are worn, no light can
possibly enter the pupil of either eye excepting through
the small openings of these rude yet curiously con-
structed spectacles. Above the case is placed a sledge
brought from Baffin’s Bay by Captain Parry.
We now come to
what has been, from
time immemorial, as
great an object of at-
tention amongst bar-
barians, as amongst
the more civilized in-
habitants of this sub-
lunary world—we
allude to the article
of dress. Let not
the unsophisticated &
reader delude himself
into the belief, that
the fopperies of dan-
dyism are confined to
the regions west of
Temple Bar. The snow hut of the Esquim@UX contains
as many evidences of the desire for outward show, as
the gayest saloon in May Fair. Nor is this caened
solely to the fairer sex. “Hemmed in by glittering ice-
bergs, surrounded by mountains, upon wilde ate
winter sits throned in perpetual snow,
diademed with icicles, the Esquimaux is
still to be seen wending his way in a gar-
ment which, for the singularity and oddity
of its appearance, Stultz might throw down
his shears in absolute vexation, at not being
able to equal. Butitis not to the coat
alone we should confine our attention ;
\ here is a boot, worthy of Hoby, that has
been fashioned from deer-skin, and orna-
mented with a leathern fringe, to gratify the vanity of
‘the wearer. Both evince 2 peculiar aptitude to display
he articles of dress to the greatest advantage.
Inthe second case wefind similar articles of Esquimaux
ipparel, of which the annexed illustrations will have
‘siven an idea, anda landing-whalebone net, brought from
Sotzebue Sound ; ; apair of boots belonging to a “female,
rom Cape Thompson ; a dart-thrower from Point Barrow ;
nd, in particular, a richly-carved paddle, from the Island
f Tahiti ; or, as it has been more improperly, though
| Scene Bakes (OOs5 haste ae alan A Tag a. Sra rd
| fully finished, and was doubtless once the property of
one of the Island chiefs. The ease and celerity with
| which they guide themselves over the wide expanse of
waters by the simple use of paddles of this construction
is most remarkable, and excites wonder and admiration
in the breasts of even the most civilized.
The third case presents us with various specimens of
cloth manufactured from the bark of the paper mul-
berry tree, in the Sandwich Islands, some of: them with
stamped patterns, executed by the islanders themselves.
Approximating thereunto, is a sail made from the in-
testines of the Walrus; and, near that, are two husks
of the Walrus itself. Here, also, are some bows and
eee
arrows tipped with bone, from California; and a|
small harpoon, with a moveable tip, adapted for spear:
ing fish.
Passing the fourth case, which contains chiefly boots
remarkable for having divisions for the toes like gloves
(probably on account of the power it would afford the
wearer of taking up anything by his feet) we arrive at
case the fifth, where a quiver formed of palm-leaves, and
containing small poisoned arrows, challenges our atten-
‘tion. These weapons were brought by Lieutenant Maw,
R.N., from South America, where they are used by the
Indians, who dwell on the banks of the great river
Maranon and its branches. Their points have been
dipped in the Worari poison, which causes death to
ensue almost instantaneously, and, as it is said, without
a pang or struggle. Weare informed by Dr. Hancock,
who visited South America some ten years since, that
the Worari is obtained from the Mavacuri, a plant
resembling a gourd, and bearing a fruit the size and
shape of a large orange, enclosed in a hard shell, which }
is generally used to hold the poison when prepared.
The small arrows, infected with this poison, are much
employed by the Indians to kill birds, monkeys, and,
strange to say, those animals that they destroy tor food.
They are propelled through a small hollow reed by the
breath ; and, it is alleced that there is not any certain
antidote to the effects of this pernicious juice, albeit,
salt and sugar are often employed for that purpose,
and sometimes with success.
Most of the objects in the next division speaking for
themselves, we shall pass over them to take cognizance
of the boat over these cases, which was brought by
Captain Beechey from Behring’ s Straits. Itis a Green:
lander’s kajak or fishimg-boat, and 1s intended omy sw:
a single person. A skin covering is carefully attached
to the gunwale of the boat, with an aperture in the mid-
dle, through which the adventurous navigator intro-
duces his body, and, sitting down, confines the skin
with a band securely round his waist. In this way he
is almost ready to bid defiance to any accident, for
should his ight skiff be overset, no water can enter;
and as it remains buoyant, a dexterous stroke of the!
paddle will instantly right it, and he can proceed on the
voyage.
The ninth case introduces us to vessels displaying
great variety of form, as the bottle with the singu-.
larly distorted figure of a dwarf attached to it on the
first shelf; and the quadru-
ple vessel with the dwarf
figure belonging to it on
the second, will amply tes.
tify. These were taken from
the tombs of the aboriginal
Peruvians; and above them _,
'are ranged some Mexican g %
antiquities that were pur-
chased at the sale of the ARS
Mexican Museum, formed Ayn
vi ill a :
by Mr. Bullock some years ie tn Pest ri) Fan
oi . Laan a 1 J
They chiefly consist ff we
ago. y iW i Nigam we
of small statues formed of @A Well:
_various stones, and of rude SS
workmanship. In the re- Di eA |
maining cases are articles
chiefly from the western coast
of North America and the
South Sea. Here is a breast-
stags
Sooeelha
Rk Ak
OG58
plate constructed im a most Baees|| |
remarkable manner, with Ha 4
eee a . #2 fees
mother-of-pearl «and _ scales Beal
of shells, and trimmed with IMs |
feathers, forming part of an
Otaheitan warrior’s dress.
An inspection will well repay om AN
‘the spectator, and prove the
| vraisemblance of our illustration.
Here, too, are some ornamental carvings from) the
Friendly Islands, which, as the work of mere savages,
are worthy of notice.
The carving m all is
most ingeniously exe-
cuted. They are used
to contain cavd, an ex-
hilirating liquor, pre-
pared in a way which
we will not trust our-
selves to describe.
In cases nineteen and twenty are some whimsical dis-
tortions of the human form, imitated in feathers gall-
dily tinted. The grotesque head-
piece, here given, will, with its
strangely exaggerated. features,
exhibit a tolerable idea of ihe
skill possessed by the natives of
the Sandwich Islands, but whe-
ther they have been intended for,
idols, or are merely ‘‘ the works
of art” belonging to that coun-
try, cannot be distinctly ascer-
tained. If the latter supposition
be correct, our Gilrays and Cruik-
shanks may indeed “hide their
diminished heads,” as no carica- §
ture that ever emanated from the
pencil of either, equalled the one now before us, An
uninformed observer might well suppose one of Gulli-
ver’s Brobdignag tribea0 immortalised by Swift—had
undergone decapitation, and that this was the tr ophy ot
the executioner.
In the twenty-second case, on the second shelf, there
are some pe- .
culiar wooden
bowls, with fan-
tastic figures as
ornamental sup-
porters. These
are from the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a ee gi eK SW Oe
some gavage Chantrey or Baillie. A == @y
collection of these gathered together ) a \\
Uf
| 0 ) f N
at an Indian banquet must present a @ q} p
most extraordinary picture. They T i
|
‘seem to evince, by the rudest indica-
tions, the dawning of the sculptor’s
art; displaying itself in the grotesque,
rather than in the sublime and beauti-
ful. These carvings, ridiculous as
they may appear—absurd as they are,
would form most important illustra-
tions to a history of human nature,
revealing the first bent of the savage emi =
‘and untutored mind, and, like experience, serving as the
beacon light attached to the stern of 'Time’s vessel, to
scatter light over the dark track of ages through which
_we have noiselessly sped.
Ranged along the walls are weapons and offensive
‘arms of every description. It is somewhat strange that,
in all uncivilized countries when first discovered, the
spirit of aggression seems uppermost, the principal
attention and skill being displayed in articles of de-
struction, rather than those of a more useful class. This
will be sufficiently apparent on the most cursory glance
being bestowed on the objects ; but, upon a closer ex-
amination, the truth of this remark becomes manifest.
The last, but not by any means least, object of curi-
osity in this room is the original manuscript of the
Great Charter (Magna Charta) granted by King John
to his subjects at Runnymede, June 15, 1215. The
authentic signature of the royal granter is attached $
gress in those days as it has in ours, we can feel but
little surprise at the autograph being illegible. It was
made out im order to be lodged in the archives of some
great monastery or public office. Another of the origi-
nals of this celebrated Charter, corresponding with the
_ one before us, is preserved in the cathedral library at
Salisbury. This we have here was procured by Sir
Robert Cotton in the reign of James 1., when he was
Be NAD oe a EO Ee eee Sy
The British Museum Explained and Illustrated.
CHAP, IV.—-THE MAMMALIA S: ALOON.
Tuer reader, as well as the visitor, must now make a
sudden progression into the new apartments to which the
animals, formerly in the old rooms, have been removed.
Ascending the flight of steps leading to the Mammalia
Salcon, forming part of what is at ‘present styled the
Eastern Zoolosical Gallery, we find ourselves in a wide
and spacious apartment, the cases in which are for the
most part filled with specimens of the Simian tribe.
These, all falling under the general title of mammalia,
cannot fail to be yegarded with peculiar interest. . It is
scarcely necessary to renmind the reader that quadrupeds
supply us with the most precious of earthly gifts. The
ample coverings of our fleecy flocks possess infinitely
more value than the brightest gem that ever flashed
lustre from an eastern diadem. Without the horse, the
ox, the sheep, and the dog, our present condition would
be the most wretched that can be imagined; our poli-
tical, social, and commercial relations would undergo an
Ov erwhelming revolution. Deprived of his rein-deer
how would the Laplande r support his. “ sleepless
summer of long night” or his snow-enshrouded winter ?
Without the enduring camel the desert sands of Africa,
if not lifeless solitudes would at least be impassable to
the human race, and for all commercial purposes as use-
less as an ocean without ships, Let it not therefore be
considered we are devoting too great a space to the con-
sideration of these objects, for although the race of
monkeys may not exactly challenge the respectful atten-
tion due to the more noble orders of animals, they de-
mand, from their singular similarity in conformation to
the human race an especial paper devoted to themselves.
The animals of this very varied and extensive order,
so familiarly known, inhabit the warmer regions of
Asia, Africa, and America.” A single species remain
as a ‘European representative on the rock of Gibraltar,
either by descent as an indigenous animal, or by acci-
dental importation from the opposing coast of Barbary,
where itis extremely frequent. Their true and natural
forests are filled with the animal world, courung tmeir
grateful shades, silent and resting; and it is only in
some deep glade “ afraid to glitter in the noontide
3”?
beams,” that the screams of an awakened parrot or
the gambols of some frolicsome monkey disturb the
universal solitude. The food of this family may be
called almost entirely vegetable. The accounts of
their love for animal food, and relish for that of
human beings, as related by several writers, must be
placed amongst those fictions of imagination which have
too often been mistaken for the records of truth. A taste
for saccharine: repasts seems, however, to be their dis-
tinguishing characteristic ;
*¢ Destructive on the upland sugar groves
The monkey nation preys; from rocky heights,
In silent parties, they descend by night,
And, posting watchful sentinels, to warn
When hostile steps approach; with gambols, they
Pour o’er the cane-grove. Luckless he to whom
That grove belongs.”
It is worthy of remark, that apes and monkeys oc-
cupy the same line on the two continents, and *bere
live as colonies; each species in its respective haunt and
district of forest, without disturbance or confusion, and
without invading the property of one another. The
parrots and their mischievous companions jostle each
other under the same foliage, as if nature had intended
to bring together the only quadrupeds which resemble
man, and the bird which most readily imitates his voice.
As we gaze on the cases before us, fancy seems to whirl
us at once to a foreign clime. Who would not wish to
contemplate, in the ancient forests of America, those
troops of animals flitting from branch to branch—now
swinging with their prehensile tails, and anon assuming
a thousand grotesque attitudes; and whilst they leap,
spring, and mutter, as if they meditated some import-
ant enterprise, flocks of parrots and parroquets alight
among them, chattering in the branches, and tossing }).
about their heads, whieh glitter and sparkle in the rays
TAY Ns: ks See: (ee eee
But it is time that we
tirned our attention to the
specimen before us. In case
one, we find a miscellaneous
collection of monkeys, brought
from various portions of the ge
globe ;. but as a descrip- (4m aa
tion of one will serve as a ane h
descriptior. of the whole class, §
we shall content ourselves
with confining our attention
to the specimen chosen by our
artist. This is the black Ou-
rang, a native of Africa, and
particularly the Guinea coast a)
and Angola; they are said to mtr aN
live in vast troops, and to be WM iN
dangerous in their attacks upon
persons travelling alone in the=y >
forests where they are to be
found. They are covered with
shining black hair, longest on the back and shoulders, A
writer of repute 1 veracity states, that an African ourang
once carried off ayoung negro, who lived during an entire
season in the society of these animals, and, on his re turn,
reported that they had never injured him, but, on the con-
trary, seemed greatly delighted with his company; and
that females, especially, evinced agreat partialjty for him,
and not only brought him abundance of nuts. and wild
fruits, but actually defended him in the most careful
and courageous manner from the attacks of serpents and
beasts of prey. We must not omit to state that the form
of the ourang’s body and limbs more approaches the
human than that of any other animal, but it is distin-
guished from man by greater depression of the forehead
and inferiority in the relative volume of the brain.
Passing onwards we observe many that have what
are called prehensile tails, with which they lay hold of
branches, and thus in climbing have all the advantages
of a fifth arm, It is a circumstance calling for notice,
that the monkeys which are natives of America differ
from those found in the other quarters of the globe, in
having longer tails, no pouches in their cheeks, and the
ST RES Ssa
Pom
Our next illustration, from case three, displays the sin-
gular position adopt-
ed by the Entellus
monkey when in the
act of resting on its
hip.. Itis a native
of India and Bengal.
If taken at an early
age they become fa-
miliar and tame ; but
being peculiarly sus-
ceptible ef cold are
scarcely ever to be
met with in our mo-
dern menageries.
In case nine we
meet with a curious
specimen ofthe Hoo-
lock, chiefly found in
British India. Their
food in the wild state
consists for the most
part of fruits, common only to the jungle in this
district of country; and they are particularly fond
of the seeds and fruits of that sacred tree of India,
called the peepul tree.
They are easily tamed, and
chow no dienncition to fioht mnilece nrovolead Vhav
‘
Case eighteen presents us with several beautiful vari-
eties, amongst which the bearded ape stands conspicuous.
Here, also, in the vicinity, may be remarked the rib-nosed
baboon, which was once a ereat attraction at Exeter-
Change. Whilst there he was exceedingly docile to his
keepers, though easily exasperated. by strangers; and
amongst his other accomplishments, he had been taught
to drink grog and smoke tobacco. In the first he de-
lighted, but the latter was not such a favourite, and a
bribe of ginrand-water was generally promised before
its performance. Iis cage was furnished with a small,
but strong arm-chair, into which, when ordered, he
would seat himself with great gravity, and await further
orders. All his manwuvres were performed with great
slowness and composure. His keeper having lighted his
pipe, presented it to him, when he usually inspected it
minutely, sometimes feeling it with his finger, as if to
know it was lighted. Then putting the waxed end
into his mouth, and holding a newspaper before his
fousnngsstetiepastnanyenasgnanmmmmm en erent te
eyes, he alternately began to smoke and read with all
the solemnity of an elderly gentleman immersed in un-
ravelling the tangled web of political opinions.
Case twenty isa repository ror many of the more rare
kinds, amongst which the one\
annexed will be strikingly con-
spicuous. Itisa native of the
wilds of South America, and \
) has habits and peculiarities si-
milar to the tribes we have al-
ready described. In fact, the
necessity we are underof avoid-_
ing anything approaching e\|
tediousness of description, re-
quires our explanatory com-
ments to be less copious than
perhaps many of them may
appear to require ; but it will
soon be manifest, that such
alike are the ‘* manners and
customs” of the Simian spe-
cies generally, that what is
mentioned with reference to
onemay be predicated of nearly
all the rest.
‘i
Z Ly yy ‘
ANTS
NN » | \
AN v1 \
Ny
Naa
Y\\ Wy Va
AN’ y
if Vi 4
VANS AN
NR H
Ya i
The British Museum Explained and Illustrated.
CHAPTER V.—-THE EASTERN ZOOLOGICAL GALLERY.—
ORNITHOLOGY.
ProcerpinG from the history of quadrupeds to in-
quire into that of the feathered race, which constitutes
the second great class in the animal kingdom, and forms
the chief object of interest in this gallery, we find nature
still possessing the same vivifying power, though here
she seems more prolific and more diversified in her ope-
rations. If, from the ministry of quadrupeds, man de-
rlves assistance in maintaining his influence over the
soil, itis to these denizens of the air that he is indebted |
for many of his pleasures. By the richness and bril- |
liancy of their colours, the melody of their voices, the
beauty and elegance of their forms, they charm the eye of |
the beholder, soothe his ear, and captivate his imagina-
tion. By these qualities they imvariably afford him
pleasure ; whether he contemplate the melodious grove,
the screaming precipice, or the noisy forest; by these
they cheer his solitude, enliven his rambles, and animate
whilst they adorn the scenes of nature. We will not
attempt to diseuss the subject of the universal law of
migration, further than observing, that its object seems
the preservation of those birds who would be deprived of
their natural food were they to remain stationary in any
given locality. Thus the swallow, the cuckow, the ,
nightingale, many species of soft-billed warblers and
others, visit us in spring from the south, and leave us
on the approach of winter; whilst the fieldfare, the red-
wing, the woodcock, and various aquatic birds, find a
winter asylum with us, and depart again in spring, to
make room for a new succession of visitors. In the case
of the lark and the thrush, which also visit us in great
numbers, the performance of flight across the German
Ocean does not much surprise us ; but when we examine
this little bird, which is by no means adapted for long
erial progression, we are at a loss to perceive how the
migration could have been performed. So much, how-
ever, might be written on this subject, and so imprac-
ticable has it been found to give more than a very con-
densed account of even the birds themselves, that we
may bereadily excused if we omit any detail upon these
points; therefore, turning at once to the cases on our
or high places, auu nave their young hatched piumu ana
nearly naked, so that it is necessary for a time they should
be fed by their parents and remain inthe nest. These may
truly be regarded as the giants of the feathered race. The
first family is that of the condors, chiefly inhabitants of
America; as the great vulture of the Andes and the
Californian vulture, both of which are not true vul-
tures, but properly condors. Birds belonging to these
species have been peculiarly noticed by travellers on
account of the great heights to which they soar in the
air. A recent American writer says that he has re-
peatedly seen the condor sailing high above the loftiest
of the snowy Corderillas, at an elevation of 16,000 feet
above the level of the ocean, with no apparent motion
of the wings, and yet in an air so attenuated, that where
he himself was stationed at thousands of feet below, the
rarity of the atmosphere rendered all efforts painful to
those not long accustomed to the light medium that there
prevails. The muscles in the wings of the condor are so
powerful thata blow from one of them has destroyed life.
Pre-eminent for size and strength the vultures exceed
all other birds whose powers of wing are adequate to
sustain continued flight. They are a race peculiar to
hot climates, and their food consists.of putrid animal
substances, for a removal of which (where indeed aquick
yemoval is much called for) they seem expressly ap-
pomted. Their flight is wonderfully rapid and graceful,
and they are led by some faculty, not yet fully under-
stood, but most probably by an exceedingly acute sense
of smell, from astonishing distances, and at an elevation
in the atmosphere, beyond the reach of human sight, to
their feetid repast. In a tribe of birds thus characterised,
the Griffon Vulture, which is before us, is one of the
most conspicuous. The accompanying illustration ex-
hibits the manner in which the Golden Eagle devours
its prey; this magnificent specimen is deposited doubt-
less in an adjoining case for the purpose of showing
the rapacity manifested by all birds of this class in satis
fying their hunger. Buttoreturnto the Griffon Vulture.
This bird, like the rest of its family, except when
pressed by the utmost necessity, never preys on living
animals, but prefers carrion and putrid substances; and
when fed to repletion is easily made captive. The male,
as usual with other rapacious birds, is smaller than the
female. Thé Bearded Vulture, or Lammer-geyer, which
resembles the bird depicted above, is the most fero-
cious ofthis class, pouncing with impetuosity on animals
exceeding itself in size; hence the young chamois, the
wild goat, the mountain hare, and various species of
birds, find in the Lammer-geyer a most formidable and
ferocious enemy. Having seized its prey, this Bearded
Vulture devours it upon the spot, the straight form
of their talons disabling them from carrying it to
a distance. The Lemmer-geyer refuses flesh in a
state of putrefaction unless sharply pressed by hunger ;
hence Nature has limited this species as to numbers,
while, on the other hand, to the vultures who are des-
tined to clear the earth of animal matter in a state of
decomposition, she has given an almost illimitable in-
crease. This is but one amongst a thousand evidences
of the protection of an unseen yet all-seeing Providence.
The family of Falcons (Ialconide) which occupy the
next cases, have their heads covered with feathers and
the eyebrows prominent, giving the eye the appearance
of being deeply set in the head, and imparting a character
Be ee BS oD en eeus att auennit teres | itdeete cite ole ave eee
|
|
|
‘food so much as the flesh of animals they themselves
have killed. They will not be satisfied without the blood
of their victims, and when they find carrion meat they
leave it in disgust for their meaner brethren to feed on.
This disposition is
accompanied by.a re-
markable conforma-
tion of the beak,
which in these birds
has a deep notch near
its roof or origin, thus i
enabling them,ashere GMC Sir.
shown, to wound and Qa
tear their prey with\. Ww
greater facility. The '\
other varieties here |
are the Ignoble Fal- |
cons with simple,
and the Hawks with rather longitudinal nostrils, whilst
the honey-buzzard, osprey and kites, have an oblique
slit covered with a valve behind. These distinctions
will readily enable the visitor to distinguish the several
kinds. Amongst the Hawks the most remarkable bird
is the Secretary. This strange bird, found in the Cape
of Good Hope, and called also the serpent-eater, from its
preying on those reptiles, has been attempted to be
naturalised by the French
at Martinique, for the
purpose of destroying
the lance-headed serpent,
with which that island
abounds, but we have
not heard if the attempt
was successful or not.
Here, too, are the Eagles,
(Aquila) to describe the
different varieties of
which a volume might
be devoted. Formed by
Nature for braving the
severest cold, feeding
the speed of the elements themselves ; unawed by any-
thing but man ; and from the etherial heights to which
the eagle soars, looking abroad at one glance on an}
immeasurable expanse of forests, fields, lakes, and }
ocean, deep below him; he appears indifferent to the}
little localities of change of seasons, and can pass at}
will from summer to winter, dashing upwards trom his |
eyrie in the mountain to that abode of eternal cold the}
higher regions of the atmosphere, and again descend to |
the terrid or arctic regions of the earth. We now ap-
|proach the numerous and most solemn family of the
owls (Strigide); most of these are remarkable for the
radiated eircles of feathers surrounding their eyes, and
for their large ears, which as they hunt in the dark may
enable them to discover their prey by the sense of hear-
ing when not within the range of their imperfect vision.
Whilst the owls are altogether most remarkable birds,
the horned owls are even more so than any others of
this winged race. They are spread
over the whole of Europe, and ap-
pear to be everywhere stationary ;
at least such is the case in our own
island, where they inhabit barns,
ruins, church-towers, and hollow
trees, remaining concealed all day,
but issuing at the approach of even-
ing, when they prowl on light and
noiseless wings, in search of their
prey, night being the time when
this genus exert their powers and
display their destructive energies.
Although mice form the principal
part of their subsistence, it is ne- :
vertheless certain that they occasionally prey on young
birds, rats, and leverets; and instances have been
known of their even committing serious havoc amongst
the finny tribe.
That magnificent bird, which we see yonder, in case |
forty, belongs to the genus Trogon, and is well worthy |
of the adjunct, ‘‘ Resplendent,” which has been appended |
to it. ‘Their feet are often feathered almost to the toes,
¢d their soft, full, lax plumage. and lengthened tail,
bestow upon the spe-
cies a peculiar aspect.
These birds abound in
South America, where
they conceal them-
‘selves in the central
‘solitudes of umbrage-
ous forests, and, ex-
cept during the breed-
ing season, dwell insu-
lated and alone. They . \
will sit motionless for >, VA
half a summer’s day, 5 ey \
upon. a withered branch, and, if not concealed
by some accidental intervening mass of foli- \
age, they fall an easy prey to the keen-eyed \\
hunter, who eagerly searches for these birds, \
not less remarkable for the delicacy of their i
flesh than their beauty of plumage. During the ‘'
morning and evening hours they become more !
active, venturing at these times into the open
parts of the forest, and, taking a shady sta-
tion, dart upon winged insects, particularly
beetles. At other times they feed upon fruits, at which
they also invariably dart, precisely as if they were in-
sects capable of escaping. It has been remarked that
the skins of these birds are of so delicate a texture as
to be with difficulty preserved in a natural or complete
condition. It is probable that this is the cause why here
they assume a heavy, shapeless aspect, redeemed, it is
true, by the gorgeous colours and metallic splendour of
their plumage. The one our artist has above repre-
| sented is the most magnificent of its tribe, being one of
| whick, in its natural state, no delineation nor description
can convey an adequate idea. The greater proportion of
‘the plumage is apparently composed of burnished gold.
The head, as will be perceived, is ornamented with a
brilliant crest of decomposed barbs, the wing-coverts
falling in flakes of golden green over the deep purplish
black of the primary and secondary quill feathers; the
rich carmine of the lower parts presenting a warmth
and depth of effect which no Venetian painter ever
equalled, whilst the long waving of the tail, extending
eee tare Sen eS he ee pl ee eee. PEt oy ase ee
Case forty-eight introduces to our notice a species of
Menura, entitled Menura Superba, or Lyre-tail, from New
Holland. It is characterised,
as its name implies, by the -
great extension and peculiar
shape of its tail feathers. It is.
equal in size to the pheasant, “\
and the general plumage is
brown. The tale of the female ,
is of theordinary structure,and ‘4 |
displays but little of the attrac- ©
tive powers of the male. The |
Lyre-tail evinces a peculiar at-
tachment to rocky districts, ‘
and in Australia it is only there
to befound. Its history, how-
ever, is still obscure, and its
anatomical structure has, we
believe, not yet been fully in-
vestigated. In our next num-
ber we shall enter at large into _
the anatomical peculiarities of
birds in general. The specimens we have above given
will be sufficiently corroborative of the munificence of
our intention. "The space to which we are confined
renders it impracticable—not to say impossible—to dis-
course as fully as we could wish of these specimens, but
in our next we shall strive to remedy the difficulty, by
| devoting a larger space to their consideration.
.e British Museum Explained and Illustrated.
fa AAPTERN YS THE EASTERN ZOOLOGICAL GALLERY.—
, ORNITHOLOGY.
| Punsvrye our examination of the cases to the left,
‘we find in case sixty-four a magnificent specimen
/of the Bird of Paradise, so noted during our early in-
/ tercourse with Eastern countries. ‘The bill is straight,
compressed, rather strong, and unnotched ; the nostrils
| being surrounded by a close tissue of feathers of a
| velvet texture, sometimes resplendent with metallic
lustre. These birds are natives of New Guinea, and in
consequence of the delicately graceful structure of their
plumage, and the pure and beautifully blended colours
by which they are adorned, the species in general may
be regarded asthe most highly prized of all the feathered
race. Their history has been long obscure, notwith-
standing the first of the genus made known to Euro-
peans was imported as early as the year 1522, by!
one Antony Pigafetta,
who accompanied Ma-
gellan in his voy-
age round the world.
Pigafetta, it appears,
was satisfied from the
first by ocular demon-
stration, that this bird
had legs, though the
natives cut them off as
parts of no importance. In consequence, however,
of this prevailing, if not universal mutilation, a notion
soon became prevalent in Europe that the bird was natu-
rally destitute of these common-place but very use-
ful organs, and that consequently it floated for
ever in the air, winnowing with loving wings the
gentle breezes, or at times suspending itself for a few
brief moments from some lofty sun-illumined tree by
the two peculiarly lengthened tilaments with which it is
adorned. In accordance with this belief, it was of
course consistent to suppose that whatever individuals
were obtained ‘“‘on this dim spot, which men call
earth,” they had fallen from their erial heights imme-
diately before their dissolution. Even Aldrovandus,
the most zealous naturalist of his age, having himself
“only seen such specimens as had been mutilated in the
usual manner, accuses Pigafetta of audacious falsehood
in asserting that the bird was naturally furnished with
legs and feet, and the great Scaliger, himself a naturalist
of no mean order, gave equal credit to this foolish fancy.
The true residence of these birds seems to be Papua,
or New Guinea, whencethey make occasional excursions
to some smaller neighbouring islands. They fly in
flocks of about thirty or forty, led, it is alleged, by a
single bird which the natives call their king, but
which is said to be of a different species. It is
further pretended that when this bird settles, the whole
flight settle also, in consequence of which they some-
times perish, being unable to rise again owing to
the peculiar structure of their wings. They also fly
always against the wind, lest their flowing plumage
should be discomposed. While flying they make anoise like
starlings, but their common cry rather resembles that of
aravyen, and is very audible in windy weather, when
they dread the chance of being thrown upon the ground.
In the Aru Islands they are seen to perch on lofty trees,
and are variously captured by’the inhabitants with bird-
lime, snares, and blunted arrows. Though many are
taken alive, they are always killed immediately, em-
bowelled, the feet cut off, the plumed skims fumigated
with sulphur, apd then dried for sale. With respect to
their food we have little certain info:mation from the
older authors, some of whom assert they prey on small
birds—a supposition which Dr. Shaw, in his ‘* General
Zoology,” inclines to think is favoured by their strength
of bill and legs, and the vigour with which they defend
themselves. They are also said to feed on fruits and
berries, and Linnezus says, that they devour the larger
butterflies—a diversity of opinion which will rather
bewilder than enlighten the notions of a spectator.
We now pass the Kingfishers, remarkable chiefly for
their length of bill and splendour of plumage. The
Alcedo Ispida (our common kingfisher) is the only spe-
cies which we find in Europe, and it yields to few of its
brethren in lustrous beauty. It is one of the rarest, and
certainly the handsomest, of all our resident species. It
haunts the banks of lakes and rivers, building in wil-
Jows near their margin, and preys chiefly on small fish,
on which it darts with the rapidity of an arrow, plung-
ing its little gem-like body for one flashing moment inte
the chrystal and willow-overhung stream, and re-appear-
ing the next with its prey secured.
———— nl
rg
We now ar-
rive at case
seventy-two, In
which a bird
with a gigantic
beak arrests our
attention. This
is the Indian
Horn - bill de-
picted in the
annexed illus-
tration. Its body
exceeds that of ©
the largest ra-
ven, but is very lean and incompact. It is believed
SS
to feed chiefly on fruits, although it will seize upon rep-
“les when pressed by hunger. Its treedom from any |
Offensive smell, and the excellence of its flesh, which is
much esteemed as an article of food, go far to prove
that its habits are chiefly frugivorous. In a domestic
state it will eat meat raw or dressed. Notwithstanding
the size of the beak, the tongue is very small, and not the
least singular feature in their economy consists in their
feeding greedily and without injury, upon the seeds of
the nur vomica. Subjoined is a
skeleton of the beak, interest-
ing as an object of natural his-
tory, chiefly for the better un-
derstanding and appreciation of
the enormous weight this bird
has to carry. These bills, or
beaks, are toothed along the
edges, and are generally sur-
mounted by an additional horny structure, which bestows
on them a very striking and peculiar physiognomy.
These bony excrescences vary considerably with the
age of the bird, being scarcely perceptible in the young.
When flying, their unwieldy beaks and lengthened tails |
cause them to exhibit a most singular and awkward
| aspect ; indeed their appearance. altogether is exceed-
ingly uncouth. Yonder is the Woodpecker, a small
but attractive bird, whose curious propensities for
|“ tapping the hollow-tree bough” will not suffer us to
‘let it pass without a word. They are shy and solitary
birds, and are chiefly employed in tapping decayed
trunks in search of insects. Buffon, that always
eloquent, but. frequently erroneous, and sometimes
inconsistent Frenchman, has drawn a melancholy
picture of the miseries of a woodpecker’s life. Ac-
cording to his views, nature appears to have condemned
it to incessant toil, for while other species freely employ
their courage or address, and either glide along on fear-
less rapid wings, or lurk insidiously i in closer ambush,
the woodpecker is constrained to drag ona miserable
existence, in boring through the scaly ‘bark and tough
unyielding fibres of the hardest trees. Necessity admits
no intermission of its labours—no interval of sweet re-
pose. Not even the darkness of the night, nor sleep—
that “ soft restorer” who throws her balmy mantle over
such a mass of human misery—brings any solace here,
fer the noctural hours are spent in the same constrained
and painful posture as are those of day. It never shares
in the joyous sports of the other inhabitants of the
woods, and so far from joining in their glad responses, it
rather deepens the natural sadness of “the forest by its
wild and melancholy cries. So Buffon thinks and writes ;
but what is all this but the most fantastic comage of the
brain, as if the blessed beings which people this gladsome
world endured the primal curse and shared the self-
inflicted ruin of our race—as if their joyful hearts were
ever pressed by sorrow, or responded, in wailing sad-
ness, to the woes of man! Amid the unmeasured w Tetch-
edness which springs from human folly, the wan faces
of our fellow men pent up in close built cities, the
drunkard’s hollow eyes, his palsied limbs and tattered
garments, with all the ills that vice is heir to, what is
more inspiring than to see even a fragment of the face of
nature, some little open plot of gar den-ground where in
spring the blackbird still may sing his evening hymn, or
the autuinnal redbreast cheerily announce approaching
winter. Is there sorrow there, or suffering, save what
may spring from some dark spirit in the mind of man—
the “immortal rebel!” When Buffon himself, a great
interpreter of nature, in spite of all his fitful fancies,
yielded up his life to the God who gave it, did the
lilied fields of France reflect the sun’s warm rays less)
brightly, or her sylvan choristers welcome with sadder
note, the rosy break of the ensuing morn? It would
indeed be but a doletul thought if misery such as
man so often meets with amone human kind. and which
oO
| Uf
he is therefore prone to picture, were to spread itself
| from his own sad bosom into the depth of darkly-shaded
forests, where so many gorgeous feathered inmates dwell,
or among oceans’ rocks, amid upheaving waters, or
| waye-worn caves, or chrystal rivers, with their golden
| sands, ©
| But we have been led into a longer digression than
/we intended ; and, therefore, resuming our enquiries,
proceed at once to the consideration of the numerous
tribes of Parrots, by which (case seventy-six) we are
now surrounded. The genus, Psittacus, according to
Linnezus, comprehends the almost innumerable tribe of
parrots, lories, parokeets, maccaws, and cockatoos, hay-
ing the bill curved, thick, and generally sharp-pointed,
and the tongue thick, round, and fleshy, the lower larynx
being furnished on each side with three peculiar muscles,
which probably contribute to the facility with which
these birds acquire the articular intonation of the human
voice. Their natural food consists of fruits and seeds,
in search of which they will climb trees with the
greatest facility, suspending themselves indifferently by
their hooked-bill or feet. Their voices are harsh and
discordant, their forms often elegant, and their plumage
usually beautiful. They form, indeed, a magnificent
family, abounding in almost every region of the torrid
zone, and in the new world extending from the shores of
the Ohio to the straits of Magellan, thus presenting a
vast and varied assemblage of species from every country
of the world, excepting the comparatively cold and
cloudy clime of Europe. The modern sub-divisions of
this great natural family are too numerous and too
ee een ELI EULER EE, E A F CC LELCLR
minute to be here recorded ; and we must, therefore,
satisfy ourselves with a glance at the varieties here pre-
_sented to the spectator. There is nohody, we presume,
/at this enlightened day, that would desire to be edified,
under the pretence of popular reading, by oft-told
| aneedotes of parrots; we shall, therefore, devote. the
| little space we can afford to a consideration of the objects
| immediately before us.
| above three feet in length, in- yi)
‘cluding, of course, the tail. 7
The Leudbeater’s Cockatoo, of
which a representation is an-
nexed, is indigenous to New
Guinea and New Holland, but
this peculiar species is, as yet,
but ill-defined. They are re-
markable for their great doci-
lity, and prefer the vicinity of
marshy places. The Great
Scarlet Maccaw, which is in
close proximity to the above,
is a most gorgeous bird ; and,
when in full plumage, measures
The one before us is certainly a &%
sumptuous creature ; but, after
all, rather too much like a richly-liveried footman—an
association, perhaps, somewhat strengthened in our esti-- |
mation, by its being so often seen as an inhabitant of lordly
mansions, and surrounded by other menial bipeds,
almost as gorgeous as itself, and equally as soulless.
Pursuing our direction in the same way, we arrive at
case 104, containing stuffed specimens of the Gallinace-
ous tribe. These, from their being common, are too
generally overlooked ; but to us, looking at it with an
imaginative eye, they speak with theforce of a moralist.
What is, indeed, more beautiful than the fond devoted
affection of these creatures to their offspring, teaching,
in the blindness of instinctive love, a lesson to proud
but cold humanity. The Cock of the Woods here
depicted, is
now utterly
extinct, as
a wild Bri-
tish species,
though once
frequent in
these islands.
Some few are
said to be re-
maining in
the pine fo-
rests of Scot-
'Jand, and also
in the mountainous parts of Ireland; but this we are
not well informed.
|
|
|
| speed the fleetest
| bia, the Arabs
_ | e Ostrich, of which an illustration is presentea to
‘|, zeader, is a bird so popularly known, that we need
jif we had the space, which we have not, dilate upon
) peculiarities.
; ; 4 iP,
La a native of (=
atica, where, 7
i the pathless Ni
Wilds and arid »
zsolitudes, it finds
a home. Inca-
pacitated by its
heaviness for
flight, it has re-
course to its
legs, instead of
its wings, for
safety ; and in
this manner it
has been known
to outstrip in
borse. In Ara-
have availed
themselves ot
this bird tor se-
curmg a vehicle $ =
of transit across AUR ap ea
{the Desert, and in this way they can travel for miles
| at the most rapid speed, without the ostrich either suf-
fermg from the weight of a man on its back, or sinking
under the fatigue. Perhaps in consequence of this, rail-
roads have not yet been introduced into this country, bein
considered unnecessary whilst the race of ostriches re-
main. ‘They are seldom prone to attack, except in self-
defence, and lead a passive kind of life. ‘The female
lays a number of eggs at atime, which are buried in
the sand, and left, generally, for the sun to warm forth
j into existence. Their height is usually from six to
seven feet. The ostrich is amongst birds, what the
Cameleopard is amongst animals, being remarkable for
the grace and beauty of its form. In the arid and
| sandy deserts of Arabia, where the eye gazes for miles
| on only the wide waste and cheerless prospect, without:
an oasis being found to relieve the monotorv of the scene.
hastening the process af incubation, and causing tne
eggs to break, introducing, asif by magic, a group of new-
fledged birds, to rivet the attention of the wayfarer.
In the same case (109), is a most singular speci-
meh of the Bustard, the largest of European birds>
and the rarest with
us. ‘The one in our
illustration is the
rufted bustard, re-
markable chiefly for
the peculiar forma-
tion of the breast.
Bustards are seldom,
if ever, met with in
the southern and
south-western por-
tions of the British
isles ; but we re-
member to have seen
several last summer
in the county of Nor-
folk, to Which it has
Jong been reported
to have beer exclusively confined. It is an unwieldy
bird, aud generally weighs about thirty pounds ; its
Hlesh is, however, highly esteemed by epicures,
And now come we to case 114, in which the
most remarkable of all is the
Trumpeter. This most singular
bird, of which there are only
two species, belongs to the genus
Phosia of Limuzeus, and is a native
chiefly of South America and the
Brazils. It is of use there to the
uatives when domesticated, by its
quality of making a peculiarly
shrill noise, or “ trumpeting,”
when danger is near. For this
purpose, it is often set to guard
poultry, and feeding chiefly on
serpents, its presence is much
sought after.
Steen
The British Museum Explained and Illustrated.
CHAPTER IX,—THE EGYPTIAN ROOM AND MUMMIES,*
Ir is with a blended feeling of awe and admiration
that we approach the Egyptian room. So connected as
-everything relativeto Egypt is with mystery and inge-
nuity—the light of the past ages shining through the
dimmer vista of the present—the mind is lost in the im-
mensity of the subject it designs to grasp, and we are
compelled to turn with a half-satisfied feeling from the
wonders before us, conscious that they are indicative
of more than the enterprise of mankind can reveal, and
. that, like the Bridge in the Vision of Mirza, which in its
nearer portions appeared tolerably entire, but in those
more remote, consisted of only broken arches, which
gradually disappeared in the impenetrable mist that
overhung the vast ocean of time in which it was lost, so
the objects which we are about to consider, though
seemingly complete, are in reality only a collection of
dislocated fragments, the origin of which is lost in that
abyss of the elder time of which there exists neither record
nor memorial. This room liesto the leftat the extremity of
the eastern gallery, and contains various Egyptian curiosi-
ties, of which by far the most interesting and important
are the mummies. Before entering into a description
of the mummies themselves it will be as well perhaps
to say something of the process of embalming, by which
they were prepared. The manner of embalming was
this; the brain was scooped out with an iron scoop at
the nostrils, and medicaments thrown in to fill up the
vacuum; the putrifying matter of the body was then
removed, and myrrh, cassia, and other spices, except
frankincense, deposited in their stead. This was in
order to dry up the humours, and the body was placed
in nitre, where it remained soaking for seventy days.
It was then wrapped up ia bandages of fine linen, and
gums to make it adhere as if glued, and so it was de-
livered to the relatives, entire in all its features, the hair
of the eyelids being preserved entire. They used to keep
the bodies of their ancestors, thus embalmed, in apartments
magnificently adorned, and took great pleasure in behold-
ing them alive, as it were, without any change in their size,
features, or complexion. ‘The prices for embalming
varied according to the rank of the party embalmed.
The highest was a talent, the next twenty mine,
and so on decreasing to a very small amount. But
‘and the body being incased in nitre, grew dry, nothing
remaining besides the skin glued upon the bones. For
this description of the process of embalming we are in-
debted to both Heredotus and Diodorus. The former,
who is unquestionably the better authority of the two
says, (Book IT. Section 85) :—‘ This serviceis appointed
by persons whose art it is to perform the process of em-
balming as their business. When a dead body is brought
to them, they show their patterns of mummies in wood,
imitated by sculpture, and the most elaborate of these,
they say, is one belonging to Osiris ; the second is less
costly, and the third is cheapest of all. Having shown
these, they enquire in which way the service shall be per-
formed, upon which the parties make their agreement
and leave the body for preparation. The interior soft
parts being removed, both from the head and ‘from the
trunk, the cavities are washed with palm wine and
fragrant gums, and partly filled up with myrrh, cassia,
and other spices. The whole is then steeped in a
solution of soda for 70 days, which is the longest
time permitted, and then having been washed, the
body is rolled up in bandages of cotton cloth, being
first smeared with gum instead of glue. The relations
then receiving the body, procure the case for it in a
human shape, and inclose the dead body in it. When
thus inclosed, they treasure it up in an appropriate
building or apartment, and place it against the wall.”
This appears to have been the most expensive mode of
preparation. In order to avoid such expense for those
who preferred the middle course, the process was
simplified by omitting the actual removal of the interior
parts, and introducing a corrosive liquid to melt them
down; the soda, which was generally introduced, thus
consumes the flesh so that skin and bone are only re-.
maining when the body is returned to the friends. The
third and the most simple process was merely to cleanse |
the body well both within and without, by means of,
some vegetable preparations, and keep it in the alkaline |
solutions for seventy days, without any other pre-
cautions. Embalming also appears to have been per-;
formed by means of a species of pitch, which was
poured into the trunk of the body in a liquid state,
through an aperture made on purpose in the right!
side, but this has been lately considered as apocryphal.
The bandaging to which all the Fgyptian mummies’
were subjected, appears to be one of the most remark- |
able parts of the process. The envelopes are composed |
Rea: | eS
gradually surmounting the whole body. They are ap-
plied and interlaced so gradually and accurately that one
might readily suppose they were intended to restore to
the dry shrivelled body its original form and size. The
only difference in the bandages of the different kinds of
mummies, is in their greater or less fine texture, being
applied on all in nearly the same manner. All the
bandages and wrappings that have been examined by
the microscope are of linen, The body is at first covered
by a narrow dress laced at the back and tied at the
throat, or it is all enveloped in one large bandage. The
head is covered by a square piece of very fine linen, of
which the centre forms a kind of mosque over the
features. Five or six such pieces are usually put}
one over the other, and the last is usually painted or |
_ gilded, in representation of the embalmed person. Every
part of the body is then seperately invested with several
bandages, strongly impregnated with resin. The legs
extended side by side and the arms placed over the
chest are fixed by ether bandages, which surround the
| whole body, and these last, which are commonly covered ;
| with hieroglyphics, are fixed by long, crossed, and very
ingeniously applied bands, which complete the envelope.
Most of the bodies are placed in this state in the cata-
combs; those of the rich only being placed in cases
which are usually double; the interior being composed
of boards, made of several portions of linen glued
together, and the exterior cut from a piece of cedar or
sycamore wood.
On taking a survey ,of the numerous bronze instru-
ments of amusement and veneration that lay on the left
side of the room, the first conspicuous object that arrests
the attention, is the case R R, containing the mummy
SS
Tamer
illfeell
en
AN Ni i
i} ill Hil ) t
i FEL HH tL i My cia
IFLA Wa Si ee
|
HH AA
of Harsontioff, priest of Amoun, in Thebes, holding vari-
j
round the loins, and chlamys on their shoulders, em-
blematical of the enemies of Egypt. Its dimensions are
about five feet eight inches in length.
Case U U is the coffin of Penamoun, the incense-
bearer of Thebes. The face is of dark polished wood,
ornamented with a small square beard. The head is in
a rich claft, representing the wings and body of a bird,
with two side ornaments; round the neck isa_ pectoral
plate, representing a disked face in a boat. The hands
are cyossed on the breast, each holding a roll of Papyrus,
=)
= —
i
|
ATeppLy Sv
INN \l i
aN
Ml
{Hit
ll
and below is the Haror good demon, Round the sidesof
the chest, traced in yellow upon a black ground, isa
cat grasping a snake; the mummy on its bier with the
soul soaring above (an indubitable evidence of the be-
lief of the Egyptians in the immortality of thesoul), and
in addition to these we find a temple on a mountain,
above which are the symbols of east and west, a lion-
headed mummied deity holding two swords, a man
|
|
walking, holding in each hand a star, the judgment)
scene, a deity with two snaked heads, and the disk of
the sun descending below the solar mountain.
The next in importance may be considered the,
Case Z Z, containing the mummy of Mautemmen, a
female attendant on the worship of Ammon, and most
probably a priestess. The body is swathed in such a
manner as to exhibit the whole of the form, and it is |
ee
. ro,
———
cles ; but sometimes
Miented, otilcxrs are narrower, ana cross uum tue suouldes
to the belt, whilst the arms are swathed with narrow
strips like the animal mummies. The back part of
the head, and the extremities of the head and feet,
are bared, exhibiting the hair and bones.
In the centre of the room, case A A A is the wooden
coffin of Cleopatra, daughter of Candace: on the arched
part of the cover are judgment scenes before Ra and
Osiris, a train of inferior deities seated in porches and
holding swords in their hands. Two rows of hawks
with human and animal heads; on one side a boat with
a disk attached to a snake drawn by four deities. On
the other a boat with the disk of the right symbolic eye
attached to a snake drawn by three jackals. The Hat,
the Scarabeeus, with extended wings, and the Scarabeeus
in the boat, with Isis and another deity paying 1t homage.
The interior represents Heaven, surrounded by zodiacal
signs, and at the sides of the head are four tortoises.
The upper end has the hawk of Ra, and the lower the
cow of Athor, seated on a pedestal. On tbe sides are
the twenty- -four hours as female figures, twelve on each
side, each procession closed by a thirteenth female,
doubtless as a personification of the morning and
evening star. It is nearly six feet in length,
two feet in breadth, and two feet in height.
But it must not be considered that the Egyptians di-
rected their attention exclusively to the preservation of
the human species; on the contrary, embalming? was
practised almost as extensively upon some animals as
it was en men, particularly on those that they held
sacred. The list of mummied animals given by Mr.
Pettigrew, includes the lion, wolf, bat, ‘dog, monkey,
cat, jaekal, fox, hyena, bear, ichneumon, shrew-mouse,
deer, goat, sheep, oxen, and calves, hippopotamus, vul-
ture, eagle, ibis, ow], hawk, falcon, crocodile, swallow,
goose, toad, adder snake, lizard, carp, pike, and some few
other fish, with some insects. ‘Strange to say, Seme ve-
getables also have been found embalmed.
In case D D we find the mummy of part of a bull,
remarkable for its perfect preservation during a lapse of
two or three thousand years. Most of these animals
had cases appro-
priated to their spe-
they ave mixed, and
very rarelv thev are
In case B B we meet with a small coffin in a vaulted
cover, containing the mummy of a Greco-Egyptian
child. The body is covered with an external wrap-
per, with a representation of the deceased in a
o— ae
ee
——————
AA ATA
toga; the hair is crowned with a wreath, the feet
are in shoes, and the left hand is holding a branch
of laurel, whilst the other is raised. On the top of a
cover is a viper between two wreaths. ‘Therepresenta-
tion here given will serve to give a very faithful concep-
tion of the wonderfully exact preservation of the whole,
In cases E E the mummies of the Ibis and the
Crocodile are intro-
duced to our notice.
The first we spoke
of at some length in
treating of its orni-
thological _proper-
ties, and of the lat-
ter it will be only
necessary to add,
that the Egyptian crocodile formed one of the emblems
of Sevek, the Egyptian Chronos, or Saturn, and hence
its deification. The other objects in this rcom, con-
sisting of ornaments, statues of deities, musical instru-
ments, &c. &c., are many of them deserving close in-
vestigation ; but the description, or even enumeration
of them all, would soon become as tedious as it would
be found unnecessary. Concluding then, as we com-
menced, with a description of mummies, it may be men-
tioned that, in some situations, the conditions of the soil ,
and atmosphere, by the rapidity with which they permit
the drying of theanimal tissues, are alone sufficient for the
preservation of the body in the form of a mummy. This
la a ee. Se te Re a
from Caxamarca by General Paroissier. Like most of
them it is in a sittmg posture, with the knees almost
touching the chin, and the hands by the sides of the
face, It is quite dry and hard. The features are dis-
torted, but nearly perfect, though the hair has fallen off.
The Peruvian mummies do not appear to have been sub-
jected to any particular preparation; the dry and ab-
sorbent earth in which they are placed being sufficient
to prevent them putrifying. M. Humboldt found the
bodies of both Spaniards and Peruvians lying on former
fields of battle, dried and preserved in the open air, In.
the deserts of Africa the preservation of the body is
secured by burying it im the hot sand, and even
in Europe soils are sometimes met with, in which
the bodies undergo a slight process of drying, and
then remain almost unalterable, even on exposure to
the air and moisture. There is a vault at Toulouse, in
which avast number of bodies that had been buried were
found, after many years, dry, and without a trace of the
effects of putrefaction; and in the vaults of St. Mi-,
chael’s Church, Dublin, the bodies are similarly pre-
served. In both cases putrefaction is prevented by the
constant absorption of the moisture from the atmosphere,
and, through its medium, from the body, by the calca-
reous soil in which the vaults are dug. It would far
exceed our limits or intention to go into lengthened in-
quiries on the subject ; but we must give it as our opi-
nion, that if European climates were more favourable,
it is probable that, with the present knowledge of mate-
rials for hardening the tissues, such as pyroligneous
acid, corrosive sublimate, arsenic, salts of iron, &c. &c.,
mummies might be prepared equal to the Egyptian im
permanence, and superior to them in the preservation of
their forms.
ote ris
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