5. What are the chief circumstances observable in the Cutting of Grass; and
what in the making and preserving of Hay?
6. What kind of Grass is fittest to be preserved for Winter feeding? And
what Grass is best for Sheep, for Cows, Oxen, Horses, Goats, &c.
* * * * *
Advertisement.
_The _Reader_ is hereby advertised, that by reason of the present Contagion
in _London_, which may unhappily cause an interruption aswel of
_Correspondencies_, as of _Publick Meetings_, the Printing of these
_Philosophical Transactions_ may possibly for a while be intermitted;
though endeavours shall be used to continue them, if it may be._
* * * * *
_LONDON,_
Printed with Licence, by _John Martyn_, and _James Allestry_, Printers to
the _Royal Society_, at the _Bell_ in St. _Pauls Church-Yard_. 1665.
{95}
* * * * *
_Numb._ 6.
PHILOSOPHICAL
_TRANSACTIONS._
* * * * *
Monday, _November_ 6. 1665.
* * * * *
The Contents.
_An Account of a not ordinary _Burning Concave_, lately made at
_Lyons_, and compared with several others made formerly. Of Monsieur
_Hevelius_ his promise of communicating to the World his Invention of
making _Optick Glasses_; and of the hopes, given by Monsieur _Christian
Hugens_ of _Zulichem_, to perform something of the like nature; as also
of the Expectations, conceived of some Persons in _England_, to improve
_Telescopes_. An intimation of a way of making more lively Counterfeits
of Nature in _Wax_, then are extant in _Painting_; and of a new kind of
_Maps_ in a low _Relievo_, or _Sculpture_, both practised in _France_.
Some _Anatomical_ Observations of Milk found in Veins instead of Blood;
and of Grass found in the Wind-pipes of some Animals. Of a place in
_England_, where, without Petrifying Water, Wood is turned into Stone.
Of the nature of a certain Stone, found in the _Indies_ in the head of
a _Serpent_. Of the way, used in the _Mogol's_ Dominions, to make
_Salt-petre_. An Account of _Hevelius_ his _Prodromus Cometicus_, and
of some Animadversions made upon it by a _French_ Philosopher; as also
of the Jesuit _Kircher_'s _Mundus Subterraneus_._
* * * * *
_An Account of a not ordinary _Burning Concave_, lately made at _Lyons_,
and compared with several others made formerly._
An opportunity being presented to revive the publishing of these Papers,
which for some Moneths hath been {96} discontinued by reason of the great
Mortality in _London_, where they were begun to be Printed; it hath been
thought fit to embrace the same, and to make use thereof for the gratifying
of the Curious, that have been pleased to think well of such
Communications: To re-enter whereupon, there offers it self, first of all a
Relation of an uncommon _Burning-glass_, not long since made in _France_,
in the City of _Lyons_, by one called Monsieur _de Vilette_, as it was sent
to the Publisher of these Tracts, in two Letters, whereof the one was in
_Latine_, the other in French, to this effect.
Concerning the Efficacy of Monsieur _de Villete_ his Burning Glass, all
what the _P. Bertet_ hath written of it, is true. We have seen the effects
of it repeated over and over again, in the Morning, at Noon, and in the
Afternoon, alwaies performing very powerfully; burning or melting any
Matter, very few excepted. The _Figure_ of it is round, being thirty
Inches, and somewhat better in _Diameter_. On one side it hath a Frame of a
Circle of Steel, to the end that it may keep its just Measure: 'Tis easie
to remove it from place to place, though it be above an hundred weight, and
'tis easily put in all sorts of postures. The _burning Point_ is distant
from the Centre of the Glass, about three Feet. The _Focus_ is about half a
_Louys d'or_ large. One may pass ones hand through it, if it be done
nimbly; for if it stay there the time of a second Minute, there is danger
of receiving much hurt.
_Green wood_ takes fire in it, in an instant, as do also many other Bodies.
A small peice of _Pot-Iron_ was melted, and _Seconds_
ready to drop down, in 40.
A _Silver Peice_ of 15 _Pence_ was pierced, in 24.
A _gross Nail_ (called _le Claude paisan_) was melted, in 30.
The end of a _Sword-blade_ of _Olinde_, was burn'd, in 43.
A _Brass Counter_ was pierced, in 06.
A piece of _red Copper_ was melted ready to drop down, in 42.
{97}
A peice of a _Chamber Quarry-stone_ was vitrified,
and put into a Glass-drop, in 45.
_Steel_, whereof Watch-makers make their springs,
was found melted, in 09.
A _Mineral-Stone_, such as is used in Harquebusses
_a rovet_, was calcin'd and vitrified, in 1. _just._
A peice of _Morter_ was vitrified, in 52.
In short, there is hardly any Body, which is not destroyed by this Fire. If
one would melt it by it any great quantity of Mettal, that would require
much time, the Action of Burning not being perform'd but within the bigness
of the _Focus_, so that ordinarily none but small pieces are exposed to it.
One Mounsieur _de Alibert_ buys it, paying for it Fifteen hundred Livers.
Since this Information, there were, upon occasion given from thence, upon
the same subject, further communicated from _Paris_ the following
Particulars.
I see by two of the Letters, that you incline to believe, the Glasses of
_Maginus_ and _Septalius_ do approach to that of _Lyons_: But I can assure
you, they come very far short of it. You may consult _Maginus_ his Book,
where he describes his; and there are some persons here that have seen one
of his best, which had but about twenty Inches Diameter; so that this of
_Lyons_ must perform at least twice as much. As to _Septalius_, we expect
the Relations of it from Intelligent and Impartial men. It cannot well be
compared to that of _Lyons_: but in bigness; and in this case, if it have
five _Palms_ (as you say) that would be about 31/2 feet _French_, and so it
were a Foot bigger, which would make it half as much greater in surface:
But as to the Effects, seeing it burns so far off, they cannot be very
violent. And I have heard one say, that had seen it, that it did not set
Wood on Fire but after the time of saying a _Miserere_. You may judge of
the difference of the Effects, since that of _Lyons_ gathers its Beams
together within the space of seven or eight _Lines_; {98} and that of
_Septalius_ must scatter them in the compass of three Inches. Some here do
intend to make of them yea and bigger ones; but we must stay till they be
done, &c.
* * * * *
Of _Monsieur _Hevelius_'s Promise of imparting to the World his Invention
of making _Optick Glasses_; and of the hopes given by Monsieur _Hugens_ of
_Zulichem_, to perform something of the like nature; as also of the
Expectations, conceived of some Ingenious Persons in _England_ to improve_
Telescopes.
That eminent Astronomer of _Dantzick_, Monsieur _Hevelius_, writes to his
Correspondent in _London_, as followeth:
What hath been done in the grinding of Optick-glasses in your parts, and
how those beginnings, mentioned by you formerly, do continue and succeed, I
very much covet to hear, 'Tis now above Ten Years, since I my self invented
a peculiar way of grinding such Glasses, and reduced it also into practice;
by which 'tis easie, without any considerable danger of failing, to make
and polish Optick-glasses of any _Conick_ Section, and that (which is most
notable) in any dish of any Section of a _Sphere_: which Invention I have
as yet discovered to none, my purpose being, for the Improvement of Natural
Knowledge, to describe the whole method thereof in my _Celestial Machine_,
and to propose it to the Examination and Judgment of the _Royal Society_;
not doubting at all, but they will find the way true and practicable, my
self having already made several Glasses by it, which many Learned Men have
seen and tryed.
Monsieur _Hugens_, inquiring also in a Letter, newly written by him to a
Friend of his in _England_, of the success of the attempts made by an
ingenious _English_ Man for perfecting such Glasses, and urging the
prosecution of the same, {99} so as to shew by the effects the
practicableness of the Invention, mentions thereupon, That he intends very
shortly to try something in that kind, of the success whereof he declares
to have good hopes.
Monsieur _du Son_, that excellent Mechanician, doth also at this very
present employ himself in _London_, to bring _Telescopes_ to perfection, by
grinding Glasses of a _Parabolical_ Figure, by the means whereof he hopes
to enable the Curious to discover more by a Tube of one Foot long, or
thereabouts, furnished with Glasses thus figured, then can be done by any
other Tubes of very many times more that length: The success hereof will
('tis thought) shortly appear.
* * * * *
_An Advertisement of a way of making more lively Counterfeits of Nature in
_Wax_, then are extant in _Painting_: And of a new kind of _Maps_ in a low
_Relievo_. Both practised in_ France.
This was communicated by the Ingenious Mr. _John Evelyn_, to whom it was
sent from _Paris_ is a Letter, as followeth.
Here is in our Neighbourhood a _French-man_, who makes more lively
Counterfeits of Nature in _Wax_, then ever I yet saw in _Painting_, haveing
an extraordinary address in modelling the Figures, and mixing the Colours
and Shadows; making the Eyes so lively, that they kill all things of this
Art I ever beheld; He pretends to make a visit into _England_ with some of
his Peices.
I have also seen a new kind of _Maps_ in low _Relievo_, or Sculpture; For
example the Isle of _Antibe_, upon a square of about eight Foot, made of
Boards, with a Frame like a Picture: There is represented the Sea, with
Ships and other Vessels Artificially made, with their _Canons_ and Tackle
of Wood fixed upon the surface, after a new and most admirable manner. The
Rocks about the Island exactly form'd, {100} as they are upon the Natural
Place; and the Island it self, with all its Inequalities, and Hills and
Dales; the Town, the Forts, the little Houses, Platform, and Canons
mounted; and even the Gardens and Platforms of Trees, with their green
leaves standing upright, at if they were growing in their Natural Colours:
in _fine_, Men, Beasts, and whatever you may imagine to have any
protuberancy above the level of the Sea. This new, delightful, and most
instructive form of _Map_, or _Wooden Country_, you are to look upon either
_Horizontally_, or _side-long_, and it affords equally a very pleasant
object.
* * * * *
_Some _Anatomical_ Observations of Milk found in Veins, instead of Blood;
and of Grass, found in the Wind-pipes of some _Animals_._
A curious Person wrote not long since from _Paris_, that there they had, in
the house of a Physitian, newly open'd a Mans Vein, wherein they found
_Milk_, instead of _Blood_. This being imparted to Mr. _Boyle_ at _Oxford_,
his Answer was, That the like Observation about _White Blood_, had been
made by a Learned Physitian of his acquaintance, and the thing being by him
look'd upon as remarkable, he was desirous to have it very circumstantially
from the said Physitian himself, before he would say more of it. The next
Moneth may bring us in this Account.
The other Particular, mention'd in the Title of this Head, came in a Letter
sent also by Mr. _Boyle_, in these words:
I shall acquaint you, That Two very Ingenious Men, Dr. _Clark_, and Dr.
_Lower_, were pleased to give me an account of a pretty odd kind of
Observation: One of them assuring me, That he had several times, in the
_Lungs_ of _Sheep_, found considerable quantity of Grass in the very
Branches of the _Aspera Arteria_: And the other relating to me, That a few
Weeks since, he, and a couple of {101} Physitians, were invited to look
upon an Ox, that had for two or three daies almost continually held his
Neck streight up, and was dead of a Disease, the owner could not conjecture
at; whereupon the parts belonging to the Neck and Throat, being open'd,
they found, to their wounder, the _Aspera Arteria_ in its very Trunk all
stuff'd with Grass as if it had been thrust there by main force: which
gives us a just cause of marvelling and inquiring, both how such a quantity
of Grass should get in there; and how, being there, such an Animal could
live with it so long.
* * * * *
_Of a place in _England_, where, without petrifying Water, Wood is turned
into Stone._
The same Searcher of Nature, that was alledged in the immediately precedent
Observations, did impart also the following, in another Letter from
_Oxford_, where he saith,
I was a while since visited by a Gentleman, who tells me, That he met with
a place in these parts of _England_, where, though there be no petrifying
Spring (for that I particularly asked) Wood is turned into Stone in the
_Sandy Earth_ it self, after a better manner then by any Water I have yet
seen: For I had the Curiosity to go to look upon peices of Wood, he brought
thence, and hope for the opportunity of making some tryals to examine the
matter a little further, then I have yet been able to do. _Thus far that
Letter._
Since which time, He was pleased to give this further Information of the
same matter, with a _Mantissa_ of some other Particulars, belonging to this
Subject, in these Words.
I was lately making some Tryals with the Petrifyed Wood I told you off,
which I find to be a very odde substance, wonderfully hard and fixed. If I
had opportunity to Re-print the _History of Fluidity_ and _Firmness_, I
could add divers things about _Stones_, that perhaps would not be disliked;
and I hope, if God vouchsafe me a little leisure, {102} to insert several
of them in fit places of that _History_, against the next Edition. Here is
a certain Stone, that is thought to be Petrifyed Bone, being in shap'd like
a Bone, with the Marrow taken out; but with a fit _Menstruum_, I found that
I could easily dissolve it, like other soft Stones: and possibly it may
prove as fit as _Osteocolla_, for the same Medicinal uses.
* * * * *
_Of the nature of a certain Stone, found in the _Indies_, in the head of a
_Serpent_._
There was, some while ago, sent by Sir _Philiberto Vernatti_, from _Java
major_, where he resides, to Sir _Robert Moray_, for the Repository of the
_Royal Society_, a certain Stone, affirmed by the presenter to be found in
the Head of a _Snake_, which laid upon any Wound, made by any venomous
Creature, is said to stick to it, and to draw away all Poyson: and then,
being put in Milk, to void its Poyson therein, and to make the Milk turn
blew; in which manner it must be used, till the Wound be cleansed.
The like Relations having been made, by several others, of such a Stone,
and some also in this City affirming, to have made the Experiment with
success, it was thought worth while, to inquire further into the truth of
this Matter: since which time, nothing hath been met with but an
Information, delivered by that Ingenious _Parisian_, Monsieur _Thevenot_,
in his second _Tome_, of the _Relations of divers considerable Voyages_,
whereof he lately presented some Exemplars to his Friends in _England_. The
Book being in French, and not common, 'tis conceived it will not be amiss
to insert here the said Information, which is to this effect:
In the _East Indies_ and in the Kingdom of _Quamsy_ in _China_, there is
found a Stone in the Head of a certain _Serpent_ (which they call by a name
signifying _Hairy Serpents_) which heals the bitings of the same Serpent,
that else would kill in 24 hours. This Stone is round, white in the middle
and about the {103} edges blew or greenish. Being applyed to the Wound, it
adheres to it of it self, and falls not off, but after it hath sucked the
Poyson, then they wash it in Milk, wherein 'tis left awhile, till it return
to its natural condition. It is a rare Stone, for if it be put the second
time upon the Wound, and stick to it, 'tis a sign it had not suck'd all the
Venome during its first application, but if it stick not, 'tis a mark that
all the Poyson was drawn out at first. So far our _French_ Author: wherein
appears no considerable difference from the written Relation before
mentioned.
* * * * *
_Of the way, used in the _Mogol_'s Dominions, to make _Saltpetre_._
This is delivered in the same Book of Monsieur _Thevenot_, and the manner
of it having been inquired after, by several curious Persons, to compare it
with that which is used in _Europe_, 'tis presum'd, they will not be
displeased to find it inserted here in _English_, which is as followeth:
_Saltpetre_ is found in many places of the _East-Indies_, but cheifly about
_Agra_, and in the Villages, that heretofore have been numerously
inhabited, but are now deserted. They draw it out of three sorts of Earth,
black, yellow, and white: the best is that which is drawn out of the black,
for it is free from _common_ Salt. They work it in this manner: They make
two Pits, flat at the bottom, like those wherein common Salt is made; one
of them having much more compass than the other, they fill _that_ with
Earth, upon which they let run Water, and by the feet of People they tread
it, and reduce it to the consistency of a Pap, and so they let it stand for
two daies, that the Water may extract all the Salt that is in the Earth:
Then they pass this Water into another Pit, in which it christallizes into
_Saltpetre_, They let it boil once or twice in a Caldron, according as they
will have it whiter and purer. Whilest it is over the Fire, they scum it
continually, and fill it out into great Earthen Pots, which {104} hold each
25 or 30 pounds, and these they expose to clear Nights; and if there be any
impurity remaining, it will fall to the bottom: Afterwards they break the
Pots, and dry the Salt in the Sun. One might make vast quantities of
Saltpetre in these parts; but the Country people feeling that _We_ buy of
it, and that the _English_ begin to do the same, they now sell us a _Maon_
of 6 pounds for two _Rupias_ and a half, which we had formerly for half
that price.
* * * * *
_An account of _Hevelius_ his _Prodromus Cometicus_, together with some
Animadversions made upon it by a _French_ Philosopher._
This excellent _Dantiscan_ Astronomer, _Hevelius_, in his _Prodromus_ (by
him so call'd, because it is as a Harbinger to his _Cometography_, which
hath already so far passed the Press, that of twelve Books there are but
three remaining to be Printed) gives an account of the Observations he hath
made of the _First_ of the two late Comets; reserving those he hath made of
the _second_, for that great Treatise, where he also intends to deliver the
Matter of this _first_ more particularly, and more fully than he hath done
here.
In this Account he represents the Rise, Place, Course, Swiftness, Faces and
Train of this Comet, interweaving his Conceptions both about the Region of
Comets in general (whether in the _Air_, or the _AEther_?) and the Causes of
their Generation: In the search of which latter, he intimates to have
received much assistance from his _Telescope_.
He observes this Comet not before _Decemb._ 4/14, (though he conceives it
might have been seen since _Novemb._ 23 _st. n._) & he saw it no longer
then _Feb._ 3/13: though several others have seen it both sooner, and
later: and though himself continued to look out for it till _March_ 7. _st.
n._ but fruitlesly, whereof he thinks the reason to have been its too great
distance and tenuity.
{105}
He finds, its apparent Motion was not made in a _Just_ great Circle, but
deviated considerably from it; and conceives, that every Comet falls to
this deviation, when this apparent Motion grows slow, and the Star becomes
Stationary (which, as he saith, it doth in respect of the _Ecliptick_, not
its own _Orbite_,) Here he observes, That from _Decemb._ 8/18, to _Decem._
30. _Jan._ 9. its course was almost a great Circle: but that _then_ it
began to deflect from that Circle towards the _North_; so that afterwards,
with a very notable and conspicuous Curvity, it directed its course towards
_Primam Arietis_: Of which deflection, he ventures to assign the cause from
the Cometical Matter, the various position and the distance of the Comet
from the Earth and the Sun, the annual Motion of the Earth, and the
impressed Motion, and the inclination of the _discus_ of the Cometical
Body.
He is pretty positive, that without the _annual Motion_ of the _Earth_, no
rational Account can be given of any Comet, but that all is involved with
perplexities, and deform'd by absurdities.
He inquires, since all Comets have the peculiar _Ingenite_ Motion, what
kind of Line it is, they describe by that Motion of their own? whether
circular, or streight, or curve, or partly streight and partly curve? And
if curve, whether regular or irregular? if regular, whether Elliptick, or
Parabolar, or Hyperbolical? He answers, That this Motion is _Conical_; and
judgeth, that by the _Conick_ path all the _Phaenomena_ of Comets can,
without any inconveniency, be ready solved; even of that, which (by
History) in fifty daies, passed through more then the 12 Signs in the
_Zodiack_: And of that, which in two daies ran through eight Signs: and of
another, which in 48 daies posted through all the Signs, _contra seriem_.
Which how it can be explicated upon the supposition of the Earths standing
still, and upon the denying of the annual Motion thereof, he understands
not at all. {106}
He refers to his _Cometography_ these Disquisitions: whether all Comets (in
their innate Motion) move equal _spaces_ in equal _Times_? which is the
swiftest, and which the slowest Motion they are capable of? what the cause
of this acceleration and retardation of their true Motion?
He puts it out of doubt, that they are in the _Sky_ it self, producing
reasons for it that are very considerable, and alledging amongst others,
That the _Parallaxes_ doe clearly evince it, which he finds far less in
Comets, then in the _Moon_, yea then sometimes in the _Sun_ it self. Where
he also represents, That he hath deduced the _Horizontal Parallax_ of this
very Comet from one onely Observation, made _Feb._ 4. _st. n._ by which he
found, That then it was distant from the Earth 5000 Semidiameters of the
same, or 4300000 _German_ miles. From this distance from the earth, he
deduces, That on that Day when it was so remote from the Earth, its true
_Diameter_ was 2560 _German_ miles, which is three times bigger then the
Diameter of the Earth, and almost six times bigger then that of the Moon,
whose Diameter, according to his _Theory_, is 442 _German_ miles.
He finds the _Matter_ of Comets to be in the _AEther_ it self, making the
_AEther_ and the _Air_ to differ only in purity, and esteeming, That the
_Planets_ do emit their Exhalations, and have their _Atmospheres_ like unto
our Earth. Where he affirms, That the Sun alone may cast out so much Matter
at any time in one year, as that thence shall be produced not one or two
Comets, equallizing the Moon in Diamiter, but very many; which if so, what
contribution may not be expected from the other Planets?
Of this Cometical Matter, he thinks, That first it is by little and little
gathered together, then coagulated and condensed, and thereby reduced to a
less Diameter; but then, after a while it resolves again, and grows dilute
and pale, and at last is dissipated. And accordingly he affirms, That he
hath observed the Head of this Comet at first more confused, thin and pale,
afterwards clearer and clearer. {107}
He conceives, That all Comets do respect the _Sun_ as their _King_ and
_Centre_, as _Planets_ do, making them a kind of _Spurious Planets_, that
emulate the _true_ ones in their Motion almost in all things.
The _Train_, he makes nothing else but the Beams of the Sun, falling on the
head of the Comet, and passing through the same, refracted and reflected.
And amongst his _Observations_ and _Schemes_ of this Comet, there occurs
one, wherein the Tail is _curve_, so seen by him _Decemb._ 11/21. He
assigns the causes why the Trains do so much vary, and shews also, on what
depends their length.
Whether the _same_ Comet returns again, as the Spots in the Sun? and,
whether in the time of great _Conjunctions_ they are more easily generated?
and whether they can be certainly foretold? with several other Inquiries,
he refers for to his _great Book_.
As to _Prognostications_, he somewhat complains, That men do more inquire
what Comets _signifie_, then what they _are_, or how they are generated and
moved; professing himself to be of the mind of those that would have Comets
rather _admired_ then _feared_; there appearing indeed no cogent reason,
why the Author of Nature may not intend them rather as Monitors of his
_Glory_ and _Greatness_, then of his _Anger_ or _Displeasure_; especially
seeing that some very diligent Men (among whom is _Gemma Frisius_) take
notice of as great a number of _good_ as _bad_ Events, consequent to
Comets. _Seneca_ also relating, That that Comet which appeared in his time,
was so happy, that it did _Cometis detrahere infamiam_, it cleared the
credit of Comets, and made People have good thoughts of them.
Having given some Account of what may be look'd for in this _Prodromus_, it
follows, That some also should be rendred of the _Animadversions_ mention'd
to have been made upon the same. This was done by that _Parisian_
Philosopher Monsieur _Auzout_, in a Letter of his to his Country-man
Monsieur _Petit_; in which he strongly conceives, That this {108}
_Prodromus_ contains some mistakes, of which he chiefly singles out one, as
most considerable, in _Hevelius_'s Observation of _Feb._ 8/18, and declares
thereupon, That he, and several very intilligent Astronomers of _France_
and _Italy_ concurring with him therein, (whereas M. _Hevelius_ to him
seems to stand single, as to this particular) found by their Observations,
That this Comet could not, on that day of _February_, be there where M.
_Hevelius_ placeth it, _viz._ In _Prima Arietis_; unless it be said, That
it visited that Star of _Aries_ on the 18, and returned thence the 19^{th},
into its ordinary course; in which, according to his, and his several
Correspondents Observations the Comet on _Feb._ 17. was distant from that
_first Star_ of _Aries_ at least 1 degree and 17 minutes; and on _February_
19. (he having missed, as well as his other Friends, the Observation on
_Febr._ 18) was advanced in its way 12 or 13 minutes, but yet distant from
the said Star _some minutes_ above a _whole degree_, and consequently far
from having then passed it. After which time M. _Auzout_ affirms to have
seen it as well as several others, for many daies, and that until _March_
7/17, observing, That about _Feb._ 26. or 27, when the Comet was nearest to
the often-mentioned _first_ of _Aries_, it approached not nearer thereunto,
then the distance of 50. minutes.
This important Difference between two very Learned, and very deserving
Persons, being come to the knowledge of some of the ablest _Philosophers_ &
_Astronomers_ of _England_, hath been by them thought worthy their
Examination: and they being at this very present employed in the discussion
thereof, by comparing what hath been done and published by the Dissenters,
and by confronting with them their own Domestick Observations, are very
likely to discern where the mistake lies; and having discern'd it, will
certainly be found hightly impartial and ingenuous in giving their sense of
the same. {109}
* * * * *
_Of the _Mundus Subterraneus_ of _Athanasius Kircher_._
This long expected _Subterraneous World_, is now come to light, dedicated
(at least the _Exemplar_, that hath been perused by the _Publisher_ of
these _Papers_, who hears, That other _Copies_ bear Dedication to other
_Great Princes_) both to the present Pope, as being esteemed by the author
to have a part of his _Apostolical Kingdom_ there; and to the _Roman
Emperor_ now Regent, who indeed in his Kingdom of _Hungary_, and in several
Provinces of _Germany_, hath very many and very considerable things, worthy
to be observed, under _Ground_.
To give the Curious a taste of the _Contents_ of this _Volume_, and thereby
to excite them to a farther search into the recesses of Nature, for the
composure of a good _Natural History_; they may first take notice, That the
Author, having given an account in the _Preface_, what encouragement he
received, for writing this Book, from the opportunity of Travelling with
the _Cardinal_ of _Hassia_ into _Sicily_ (in which Voyage, he saith, He met
with, as it were, an _Epitome_ of what may be observable in the
Subterraneous parts of the Earth; and in particular, with an Earth-quake of
14 daies duration, very instructive to him concerning several great Secrets
of Nature:) having I say, thus Prefaced, he divided his Work into 12
_Books_, wherein he affirms not only to have explicated the Divine
Structure of the under-ground World, and the wondrous distribution of the
Work-houses of Nature, and her Majesty and Riches therein; but also to have
opened the Causes of her Effects and Productions; whence, by the Marriage
of Nature and Art, a happy Issue may follow for the use and benefit of
Humane Life.
In the _First_ Book, he considers the nature of the Centre of the Earth,
where he delivers several _Paradoxes_ touching the same, and Discourses of
the Motion of heavy Bodies, of Pendulems, of Projectils. {110}
In the _second_ he treats of the Fabrick of the _Terrestrial Globe_, of the
Influences it receives from the Coelestial Bodies, especially the _Sun_ and
_Moon_, of both which _Luminaries_ he gives a _Scheme_; of the proportion
of the Earth to the Sun and Moon; of the external conformation of the
Earth, its Mountains, and their concatenations, decrease and increase,
together with the strange transformation thereof. Further, of the Waters
encompassing the Earth, and their various Communications by hidden
Passages; as also the heighth of Mountains, and of the depth of Seas; the
dimension of the _Sicilian Straights_; the Magnetical Constitution of the
Earth, its Heterogeneous Nature, Interior Frame, Laboratories, Caves,
Channels, &c.
In the _third_: Of the Nature of the Ocean, and the diversity of its
Motions; of its general Motion from the _East_ to _West_, Currents;
Reciprocations, Gulfs, Whirle-pools, Saltness, &c.
In the _fourth_: Of the Nature of the Subterraneous _Fire_, its necessity,
diffusiveness, food, prodigious Effects through ignivomous Mountains; as
also of the Nature of _Air_, and _Winds_, their power and variety; of the
general Wind, how and whence generated; of Periodical and Anniversary
Winds, and their Causes; as also of the production of Artificial Winds, for
refreshment and other advantages. To which he subjoyns a Discourse, tending
to prove, That all Meteors owe their Nativity to the Fiers of the
Subterraneous World.
In the _fifth_: Of the Original of Springs, Rivers, Lakes; various
differences and qualities of Waters, and the marks where they are to be met
with under Ground; of Waters _Medical_, hot Baths, and their Differences,
Causes, Virtues; together with the Wonderful Qualities and Proprieties of
some Springs, as to their Colour, Taste, Smell, Weight, Salubrity, Flux and
reflux, Petrifying power, &c.
In the _sixth_: Of the _Earth_ it self, and the great variety contained in
the Womb thereof; of the manifold Productions {111} made therein, by the
virtue of Salt and its Auxiliaries, the differences whereof are largly
discoursed of, together with the way of extracting the same. In particular
of _Saltpetre_, its Generation, Nature, Virtues; of the way of making
_Gunpowder_, and the various uses thereof, as also the Nature, Qualities,
Preparation, Medicinal and other uses of _Alume_ and _Vitriol_.
In the _Seventh_: Of some _Fossils_, as Sand, Gravel, Earths, and their
various Differences, Qualities, uses Economical, Chymical, Medical:
together with the strange varieties & changes happening in the Earth, and
their causes; as also the requisits to _Agriculture_.
In the _eight_: First, of _Stones_, their Origine, Concretion, difference
of Colours; and in particular, of _Gems_ and their variety, causes of
generation, transparency in some and colours in others; as also of their
various Figures and Pictures by Nature framed both in common and precious
Stones, with their Causes. Secondly, of the Transformation of Juices,
Salts, Plants, yea of Beasts and Men turn'd into Stone: together with the
generation of Bony Substances under ground, by many esteemed to be the
Bones of _Gyants_; and of _Horny_ Substances, taken for _Unicorns_ horns:
as also of _Fossile wood_ and _Coals_, Thirdly, of _Bituminous Flowers,
lapis Asbestos, Amber_, and its _Electrical_ virtue; together with the way
how Insects, little Fishes, and Plants are Intombed therein. Fourthly; of
Subterraneous _Animals_, Moles, Mice, Birds, Dragons; where is also
treated, of those Animals that are found in the midst of Stones.
In the _ninth_; First, of Poysons, their primeval Origine from Minerals,
and their accidental Generation in Vegetable and Animal Bodies, together
with their differences; where 'tis discoursed, not only how Poysons may be
bred in Men, but also, how the Poyfons of some Animals do infect and kill
Men; and, where the Venom of Vipers lodges, and how mad _Dogs_ and
_Tarantula's_ so communicate their Poyson, as that it exserts not its
noxiousness, till after some {112} time: Where also occasion is taken to
discourse on the Original of Diseases, and cure of Poysonous ones.
Secondly, of the wonderful Nature of _Sulphur, Antimony, Quick-silver_,
their origine and qualities; together with the productions of _Corals_ and
_Pearls_.
In the _tenth_: First of _Metallurgy_, and the way how that unctuous Body,
out of which mettals are produced, is elaborated by Nature, and what
therein are _Sulphur, Salt_, and _Mercury_; besides, what it is that
renders Mettals fluid in the Fire, but not Stones and Vegetables, &c.
Secondly, of the Requisits to a perfect knowledge of the _Metallick Art_,
and of the Qualities of the _Mine-master_; then of the Diseases of
Mine-men, and their Cure, and the waies of purging the Mines of the Airs
malignity; as also of _Metallognomy_, or the signs of latent Mettals, and
by what Art they may be discovered. Thirdly, several Accounts sent to the
Author, upon his Inquiries by the Mine-masters themselves, or other cheif
Over-seers of the Mine-works, touching the variety, nature and properties
of Minerals, and the many Accidents happening in Mines, particularly the
_Hungarian_ ones at _Schemnitz_, and those of _Tyrol_. Fourthly, of several
both _Hydraulick_ and _Wind-Engines_, to free the Mines from Water and
noxious damps. Fiftly, Of the way of working Mettals, Gold, Silver, Copper,
Iron, and particularly of the method used at _Potosi_ in _Peru_, of
extracting the Silver out of the Mineral: to which is added, a Discourse of
_Salt-pits_, and the way of making Salt.
In the _eleventh_, First, of _Alchimy_, its Original and Antiquity, the
Vessels and Instruments belonging thereunto. Secondly, of the _Philosophers
Stone_, what is meant by it, and whether by means thereof true Gold can be
produced? And in general, whether there be any such thing, as a true and
real Transmutation of one Mettal into another? Where are delivered the
several Processes of the reputed _Adepti, Raymund Lulle, Azoth, Arnold de
Villanova, Paracelsus, Sendivogius, &c._ but all exploded as fals and
deceitful. Thirdly, {113} of the decisions in Law concerning Chimical Gold,
true or fals. Fourthly, what the celebrated _Philosophers Stone_ was among
the Ancients, and what they understood by the same?
In the _twelfth_: First, Of the _Seminal Principle_ of all things, its
origine, nature and property; of the way how Nature proceeds in the
Generation of _Minerals, Vegetables, Animals_; of Spontaneous Generation;
of _Zeophyts, Insects_ of all sorts, and particularly of the Worms bred in
Men; together with the causes why Nature would produce such swarms of
infinite sorts of Insects. Secondly, of the variety and differences of
_Vegetables_; of the requisits to know the _virtues_ of _Plants_, and of
the several waies of _Engrafting_. Thirdly, of the _Art of Distilling_,
whereby Nature is imitated, as doing all her under-ground works, in the
Opinion of this Author, by _Distillation_. Fourthly, of the _Laboratories
of various Arts_, in which, according to Natures pattern, used in her
Subterraneous Operations, strange things may be performed: where treating
of _Chymical Secrets_, the truth of the Preparation of _Aurum potabile_ is
discussed, and the _Magisteries_ of Gold, Silver, Iron, Tin, Copper and
Lead, examined: to which is subjoyned an _Appendix_, furnishing such Rules,
whereby Students in _Chymistry_ may be directed in their work, and true
Operations distinguished from fals ones. Fiftly, Of _Metallostaticks_,
where by the mixture of Mettals and Minerals may be certainly known;
together with a way of weighing the Proportions of _moist_ and _dry_,
existent in every Compound, as well Vegetable and Animal, as Mineral.
Sixthly, of _Glass-making_, where is treated of the Nature of _Glass_; of
the Artificial Production of all sorts of Precious Stones, partly from the
Authors own Experiments, partly from the Communication of his Friends, and
the Collection of the best Writers upon that subject. Seventhly, of
_Fire-works_, where the Invention and Preparation of Gunpowder is largely
discoursed of, and the waies of making _Squibs, Fires burning in Water_,
{114} and many others, used in Publick Festivities, are described.
Eighthly, of some _Mechanical Arts_, as that of _Gold-smiths, Black smiths,
Copper smiths, Wyre-drawers_, in the last whereof he resolves this
_Problem_; a certain weight of Mettal, and the bigness of the hole, through
which the Wyre is to be drawn, being given, to find into what length so
much Mettal can be spun out.
Thus you have a view of this whole _Volume_; to which it may perhaps not be
amiss to adde, for a Conclusion, some of those Particulars which are
esteemed by the Authour to out-shine the rest, and are here and there
inter-woven as such. For example, in the _First Part_.
The use of _Pindules_, for knowing by their means the _state_ of ones
_Health_, from the different beatings of the _Pulse_, p. 51.
The _Chain_ of _Mountains_, so drawn over the Earth, that they make, as it
were, an _Axis_, passing from _Pole_ to _Pole_; and several transverse
_ductus_, so cutting that _Axis_, as to make, in a manner, an _Equator_ and
_Tropicks_ of Mountains: by which concatenation he imagines, That the
several parts of the Earth are bound together for more firmness, p. 69.
A Relation of a strange _Diver_, by his continual converse in Water, so
degenerated from himself, That he was grown more like an _Amphibium_, than
a man, who, by the command of a _Sicilian_ King, went down to the bottom of
_Charibdis_, and brought a remarkable account of the condition of that
place, p. 98.
A Description of the Origine of the _Nile_, as this Author found it in a
certain _MS._ of one of his own _Society_, called _Peter Pais_, whom he
affirms to have been an Eye-witness, and to have visited the Head of the
_Emperor of AEthiopia_ himself _Anno_ 1618. which _Manuscript_, he saith,
was brought to _Rome_, out of _Africa_, by their _Procurator_ of _India_
and _AEthiopia, p._ 72. {115}
The _Communication_ of the _Seas_ with one another by Subterraneous
Passages, _viz._ of the _Caspian_, with the _Pont Euxin_ and the _Persian
Gulf_; of the _Mare Mortuum_, with the _Mare Rubrum_, and of this latter
with the _Mediterranean_; as also of _Scylla_ with _Charybdis_, p. 85. 101.
The Subterraneous _Store-houses_ (in all the four parts of the Earth) of
_Water_, and _Fire_, and _Air_; together with their important Uses, p. 111.
An account of the state of the Earth about the _Poles_, how the Waters are
continually swallowed up by the _Northern_, and running along through the
Bowels of the Earth, do regurgitate at the _Southern Pole_, p. 159.
A description of Mount _Vesuvius_ and _AEtna_, both visited by the Author
himself, _Anno_ 1638. their Dimensions, Communication, Incendiums, Paths of
Fiery Torrents cast out by them, &c. as also of the _Vulcans_ in _Iceland_
and _Groenland_, and their Correspondence and Effects. p. 180.
An Account of that famous and strange _Whirl-pool_ upon the Coasts of
_Norway_: commonly call'd _The Maelstrom_; which the Author fancies to have
Communication, by a Subterraneous Channel, with another such _Whirl-pool_
in the _Bodnick Bay_; by which commerce, according to him, the Waters,
when, upon their accumulation and crowding together in one of these places,
they are swallowed up by the Gulf there, carrying along with them
whatsoever is in the way and lodging it in a certain receptacle at the
bottom thereof, are conveyed through the same under-ground Channel to the
other Gulf; where again, upon the like flux and retumescence of Waters,
they are absorbed, and through the same Channel do reciprocally run to the
former Gulf, and meeting in their impetuous Passage with the things
formerly sunk down into the Repository, carry them aloft, with themselves;
and cast them up again on the Coast of _Norway_, p. 146.