At _Basel_ the Spring, running in the _Gerbergasse_ (or _Tanners-street_)
from St. _Leonard's_ Hill, is of a Blewish colour, and somewhat troubled,
holding Copper, Bitumen, and Antimony, about 3 parts of the first, one of
the second, and two of the last, as has been examined by skilful Persons.
Our Tanners do water their Skins in it; and being a well-tasted and
wholesome Water, it is both much drunk, and used to Bath in. It mingles
with another Spring water, call'd the _Birsick_, and with it, between the
_Salt-tower_ and the _Rhine-gate_ runs into the _Rhine_.
In the same Town (which abounds with Spring-waters) there are two, among
the rest, called _Bandulph's-well_, and _Brun Zum Brunnen_, that are more
observable then the other; the former of them having a _Camphory_ and
drying Quality, and used against Hydropical Distempers; the latter
containing some Sulphur, Saltpeter and Gold, and being an excellent Water
to drink, much used in the principal Tavern of the City, where the chief of
the Town do resort, and near which it runs.
In _Alsatia_ in the Valley, called _Leberthal_, near _Geesbach_ (an ancient
Mine-work) there runs out of a _Cavern_ a foul, fattish, oily Liquor,
which, though the Country-men of that place employ to the vile use of
greasing their Wheels, instead of ordinary Wheel-grease; yet doth it afford
an excellent Balsom, by taking a quantity of it, and putting it in an
Earthen Pot well luted, that no steam may exhale; and then with a gentle
Fire at first, but a stronger afterwards, boyling it for three hours
together; in which space it will boyl in a fourth part, and an Earthen
Matter, like Pitch, will settle it self at the bottom: but on the top
thereof, when cold, there will swim a fatty Substance, like Lyne-Oyl,
limped and somewhat yellowish, which is to be decanted from the thick
Sediment, and then gently distilled in an Alembick in _Arena_, by which
means, there will come over two differing Liquors, one Phlegmatick, the
other Oily, {136} which latter swimming on the Phlegm, is to be severed
from it. The Phlegm is used as an excellent Resister and Curer of all the
Putrefactions of the Lungs and Liver, and it heals all foul Wounds and
Ulcers. The Oily part, being diluted with double its quantity of distilled
Vineger, and brought three times over the Helm, yields a rare Balsom,
against all inward and outward Corruptions, stinking Ulcers, hereditary
Scurfs and Scabs: 'Tis also much used against Apoplexies, Palsies,
Consumptions, Giddinesses, and Head-aches. Inwardly they take it with
Succory-water against all corruptions of the Lungs. It is a kind of
_Petroleum_, and contains no other Mineral Juice, but that of _Sulphur_,
which seems to be thus distilled by _Nature_ under ground; the distillation
of an Oyl out of _Sulphur_ by Art, being not so easie to perform.
* * * * *
_Of the richest _Salt-Springs_ in _Germany_._
An Account having been desired of those two chief _Salt-Springs_ in
_Germany_, at _Hall_ and _Lunenburg_, it was lately transmitted thus:
The _Salt-Springs_ at _Hall_ in _Saxony_ are four, called _Gutiaar_, the
_Dutch-Spring_, the _Mettritz_, and the _Hackel-dorn_; whereof the three
first hold near the same proportion of Salt; the last hold less, but yields
the purest Salt. The three first hold about seven parts of Salt, three of
Marcasit, and fourteen of water: They are, besides their Oeconomical use,
employed Medicinally to Bath in, and to draw a Spirit out of it, exhibited
with good success against Venom, and the putrefaction of the Lungs, Liver,
Reins, and the Spleen.
The _Salt Water_ at _Lunenburgh_, being more greenish then white, and not
very transparent, is about the same nature and hold with that of _Hall_. It
hath a mixture of Lead with it, whence also it will not be sod in Leaden
Pans, and if it held no Lead at all, it would not be so good, that Metal
being judged to _purifie_ the Water: whence also the Salt of {137}
_Lunenburg_ is preferred before all others, that are made of Salt Springs.
* * * * *
_Some Observations of swarms of strange Insects, and the Mischiefs done by
them._
A great Observer, who hath lived long in _New England_, did upon occasion,
relate to a Friend of his in _London_, where he lately was, That some few
Years since there was such a swarm of a certain sort of Insects in that
_English_ Colony, that for the space of of 200 Miles they poyson'd and
destroyed all the Trees of that Country; there being found innumerable
little holes in the ground, out of which those Insects broke forth in the
form of _Maggots_, which turned into _Flyes_ that had a kind of taile or
sting, which they struck into the Tree, and thereby envenomed and killed
it.
The like Plague is said to happen frequently in the Country of the
_Cosacks_ or _Ukrani_, where in dry Summers they are infested with such
swarms of _Locusts_, driven thither by an _East_, or _South-East_ Wind,
that they darken the Air in the fairest weather, and devour all the Corn of
that Country; laying their Eggs in _Autumn_, and then dying; but the Eggs,
of which every one layeth two or three hundred, hatching the next Spring,
produce again such a number of Locusts, that then they do far more mischief
than afore, unless Rains do fall, which kill both Eggs and the Insects
themselves, or unless a strong _North_ or _North-West_ Wind arise, which
drives them into the _Euxin_ Sea: The Hogs of that Country loving these
Eggs, devour also great quantities of them, and thereby help to purge the
Land of them; which is often so molested by this Vermine, that they enter
into their Houses and Beds, fall upon their Tables and into their Meat,
insomuch that they can hardly eat without taking down some of them; in the
Night when they repose themselves upon the ground, they cover it three, or
four Inches thick, and if a Wheel pass {138} over them, they emit a stench
hardly to be endured: All which, and much more may be fully seen in the
_French_ Description of the Countries of _Poland_, made by _Monsieur de
Beauplan_, and by _Monsieur Thevenot_, in his Relation of the _Cosacks_,
contained in the First part of his _Curious Voyages_.
* * * * *
_An Observation touching the Bodies of Snakes and Vipers._
Several have taken notice, that there is a difference between the brooding
of Snakes and Vipers, those laying their Eggs in Dung-hills, by whose
warmth they are hatched; but these (Vipers) brooding their Eggs within
their Bellies, and bringing forth live Vipers. To which may be added, That
some affirm to have seen Snakes lye upon their Eggs, as Hens sit upon
theirs.
* * * * *
_Some Observations of odde Constitutions of Bodies._
A very curious Person, studying Physick at _Leyden_, to whom had been
imparted those Relations about a Milky Substance in Veins, heretofore
alledged in _Numb._ 6. returns, by way of gratitude, the following
Observations.
There was (saith he) not many Years since, in this Country a Student, who
being much addicted to the study of _Astronomy_, and spending very many
Nights in Star-gazing, had, by the Nocturnal wet and cold temper of the
Air, in such a manner obstructed the pores of his skin, that little or
nothing exhaled from his Body; which appeared hence, because that the
shirt, he had worn five or six weeks, was then as white as if he had worn
it but one day. In the mean while he gathered a subcutaneous Water, of
which yet he was afterwards well cured.
We have also (_saith the same_) seen here a young Maid, of about thirteen
Years of age, which from the time that she was but six Years old, and began
to be about her Mother in {139} the Kitchin, would, as often as she was bid
to bring her Salt, or could else come at it, fill her Pockets therewith,
and eat it, as other children doe Sugar: whence she was so dried up, and
grown so stiff, that she could not stirre her limbs, and was thereby
starved to death.
That Learned and Observing Doctor _John Beal_, upon the perusal of the
forementioned _Numb._ 6. was pleased to communicate this Note:
To your Observation, of Milk in Veines, I can add a _Phaenomenon_ of some
resemblance to it, which I received above 20 years agoe from _Thomas Day_,
an Apothecary in _Cambridg_; _vid._ That himself let a man bloud in the
arme, by order of Doctor _Eade_, a Physitian there. The mans bloud was
white as Milk, as it run out of his arme, it had a little dilute redness,
but immediately, as it fell into the Vessel, it was presently white; and it
continued like drops of Milk on the pavement, where ever it fell. The
conjecture which the said Physitian had of the cause of this appearance,
was, that the Patient had much fed on Fish; affirming withall, that he had
soon been a Leper, if not prevented by Physick.
* * * * *
_A way of preserving Ice and Snow by Chaffe._
The Ingenious Mr. _William Ball_ did communicate the relation hereof, as he
had received it from his Brother, now residing at _Livorne_, as follows;
The Snow, or Ice-houses are here commonly built on the side of a steep
hill, being only a deep hole in the ground, by which meanes, they easily
make a passage out from the bottom of it, to carry away all the water,
which, if it should remain stagnating therein, would melt the Ice and Snow:
but they thatch it with straw, in the shape of a Saucepan-cover, that the
rain may not come at it. The sides (supposing it dry) they line not with
any thing, as is done in St. _Jeames_'s Park, by reason of the moistness of
the ground. This Pit they fill {140} full of Snow or Ice (taking care that
the Ice be made of the purest water, because they put it into their wine)
over-spreading first the bottom very well with _Chaffe_; by which I mean
not any part of the straw, but what remains upon the winnowing of the Corn;
and I think, they here use Barley-chaffe. This done, they further, as they
put in the Ice, or the Snow, (which latter they ram down,) line it thick by
the sides with such Chaffe, and afterwards cover it well with the same; and
in half a years lying so, 'tis found not to want above an eight part of
what it weighed, when first put in. When ever they take it out into the
Aire, they wrap it in this Chaffe, and it keeps to admiration. The use of
it in _England_ would not be so much for cooling of drinks, as 'tis here
generally used; but for cooling of fruits, sweetmeats &c. _So far this
Author._
The other usual way both in _Italy_ and other Countries, to conserve Snow
and Ice with _Straw_ or _Reed_, is set down so punctually by Mr. _Boyle_ in
his _Experimental History of Cold_, pag. 408. 409. that nothing is to be
added. It seems _Pliny_ could not pass by these _Conservatories_, and the
cooling of drinks with Ice, without passing this severe, though elegant and
witty, Animadversion upon them: _Hi Nives, illi glaciem potant, poenasque
montium in voluptatem gulae vertunt: Servatur algor aestibus, excogitaturque
ut alienis mensibus nix algeat_, lib. 19. cap. 4. But the _Epigrammatist_
sports with it thus;
_Non potare nivem, sed aquam potare rigentem_
_De nive, commenta est ingeniosa sitis._ Martial. 14. _Ep._ 117.
* * * * *
_Directions for Sea-men, bound for far Voyages._
It being the Design of the _R. Society_, for the better attaining the End
of their Institution, to study _Nature_ rather than _Books_, and from the
Observations, made of the _Phaenomena_ and Effects she presents, to compose
such a {141} History of Her, as may hereafter serve to build a Solid and
Useful Philosophy upon; They have from time to time given order to several
of their Members to draw up both _Inquiries_ of things Observable in
forrain Countries, and _Directions_ for the Particulars, they desire
chiefly to be informed about. And considering with themselves, how much
they may increase their _Philosophical_ stock by the advantage, which
_England_ injoyes of making Voyages into all parts of the World, they
formerly appointed that Eminent Mathematician and Philosopher Master
_Rooke_, one of their Fellowes, and _Geometry_ Professor of _Gresham
Colledge_ (now deceased to the great detriment of the Common-wealth of
Learning) to think upon and set down some _Directions_ for _Sea-men_ going
into the _East_ & _West-Indies_, the better to capacitate them for making
such observations abroad, as may be pertinent and suitable for their
purpose; of which the said Sea-men should be desired to keep an exact
_Diary_, delivering at their return a fair Copy thereof to the _Lord High
Admiral_ of _England_, his Royal Highness the _Duke_ of _York_, and another
to _Trinity-house_ to be perused by the _R. Society_. Which _Catalogue_ of
_Directions_ having been drawn up accordingly by the said Mr. _Rook_, and
by him presented to those, who appointed him to expedite such an one, it
was thought not to be unseasonable at this time to make it publique, the
more conveniently to furnish Navigators with Copies thereof. They are such,
as follow;
1. To observe the Declination of the _Compass_, or its Variation from the
_Meridian_ of the place, frequently; marking withal, the _Latitude_ and
_Longitude_ of the place, wherever such Observation is made, as exactly as
may be, and setting down the _Method_, by which they made them.
2. To carry _Dipping Needles_ with them, and observe the Inclination of the
Needle in like manner.
3. To remark carefully the Ebbings and Flowings of the Sea, in as many
places as they can, together with all the Accidents, {142} Ordinary and
Extraordinary, of the Tides; as, their precise time of Ebbing and Flowing
in Rivers, at _Promontories_ or _Capes_; which way their Current runs, what
Perpendicular distance there is between the highest Tide and lowest Ebb,
during the Spring-Tides and Neap-Tides; what day of the _Moons_ age, and at
times of the year, the highest and lowest Tides fall out: And all other
considerable Accidents, they can observe in the Tides, cheifly neer Ports,
and about Ilands, as in St. _Helena_'s Iland, and the three Rivers there,
at the _Bermodas_ &c.
4. To make Plotts and Draughts of prospect of Coasts, Promontories, Islands
and Ports, marking the Bearings and Distances, as neer as they can.
5. To sound and marke the Depths of Coasts and Ports, and such other places
nere the shoar, as they shall think fit.
6. To take notice of the Nature of the Ground at the bottom of the Sea, in
all Soundings, whether it be Clay, Sand, Rock, &c.
7. To keep a Register of all changes of Wind and Weather at all houres, by
night and by day, shewing the point the Wind blows from, whether strong or
weak: The Rains, Hail, Snow and the like, the precise times of their
beginnings and continuance, especiall _Hurricans_ and _Spouts_; but above
all to take exact care to observe the _Trade-Winds_, about what degree of
_Latitude_ and _Longitude_ they first begin, _where_ and _when_ they cease,
or change, or grow stronger or weaker, and how much; as near and exact as
may be.
8. To observe and record all Extraordinary _Meteors_, Lightnings, Thunders,
_Ignes fatui_, Comets, &c. marking still the places and times of their
appearing, continuance. &c.
9. To carry with them good Scales, and Glasse-Violls of a pint or so, with
very narrow mouths, which are to be fill'd with Sea-water in different
degrees of _Latitude_, as often as {143} they please, and the weight of the
Vial full of water taken exactly at every time, and recorded, marking
withall the degree of _Latitude_, and the day of the Month: And that as
well of water near the Top; as at a greater Depth.
* * * * *
_Some Observations concerning _Jupiter_. Of the shadow of one of his
_Satellites_ seen, by a Telescope passing over the Body of _Jupiter_._
I have received an Account from very good hands, That on the 26^{th.} of
_September_ last, at half hour after seven of the Clock, was seen, both in
_Holland_ and in _France_ (by curious Observers, with very good Telescopes)
the shadow of one of the _Satellites_ of _Jupiter_, passing over his Body.
One of those small Stars moving about his Body (which are therefore called
his _Satellites_) coming between the Sun and it, made a small Eclipse,
appearing in the Face of _Jupiter_ as a little round black Spot. The
Particulars of those Observations, when they shall come to our Hands, we
may (if need be) make them publik: Which Observations, as they are in
themselves very remarkable, and argue the Excellency of the Glasses by
which they were discovered; So are we, in part, beholding to Monsieur
_Cassini_ for them, who giving notice before hand of such Appearances to be
expected, gave occasion to those Curious Observers to look for them.
* * * * *
_Of a permanent Spot in _Jupiter_: by which is manifested the conversion of
_Jupiter_ about his own Axis._
Besides that Transient Shadow last mentioned, there hath been observed, by
Monsieur _Cassini_, a permanent Spot in the Disque of _Jupiter_; by the
help whereof, he hath been able to observe, not onely that _Jupiter_ turns
about upon his own Axis, but also the Time of such conversion; which he
{144} estimates to be, 9 hours and 56 minutes.
For as _Kepler_ did before conjecture, from the motion of the Primitive
Planets about the Sun as their Center, that the Sun moved about its own
Axis, but could not prove it, till by _Galileo_ and _Shiner_ the Spots in
the Sun were discovered; so it hath been thought reasonable, from the
Secundary Planets moving about _Jupiter_, that _Jupiter_ is also moved
about his Axis; yet, till now, it hath not been evinced by Observation,
That it doth so move; much less, in what Period of Time. And the like
reason there is to judge so of _Saturn_, because of the Secundary Planet
discovered by Monsieur _Hugens de Zulichem_ to move about it; (though such
motion be not yet evinced from Observation:) as well as that of the
_Earth_, from its Attendant the _Moon_.
Whether the same may be also concluded of the other Planets, _Mars_,
_Venus_, and _Mercury_, (about whom have not yet been observed any
Secondary Planets to move,) is not so evident. Yet there may be somewhat of
like probability in those. Not onely, because it is possible they may have
Secundary Planets about them, though not yet discovered; (For, we know, it
was long after those of _Jupiter_, before that about _Saturn_ was
discovered; and who knows, what after times may discover about the rest?)
But because the Primary Planets being all in like manner inlightned by the
Sun, and (in all likely hood) moved by it; it is likely that they be moved
by the same Laws and Methods; and therefore, turn'd about their own Axis,
as it is manifest that some of them are.
But, as for the Secundary Planets, as well those about _Jupiter_, as that
about _Saturn_; it is most likely that they have no such Rotation upon
their Axis. Not so much because, by reason of their smalness, no such thing
hath been yet observed, (or, indeed, could be, though it were true;) But
because they being Analogical to our _Moon_, it is most likely that they
are moved in like manner. Now, though it be {145} true, that there is some
kind of _Libration_ of the Moon's body, so that we have not precisely just
the same part of it looking towards us; (as is evident by _Hevelius_
observations, and others;) yet is there no Revolution upon its Axis; the
same part of it, with very little alteration, always respecting us, as is
to be seen in _Hevelius_ his Tratise _de Motu Lunae Libratorio_, and indeed,
by all those who have written particularly of the spots on the Moon; and is
universally known to all that have with any curiosity viewed it with
Telescopes.
* * * * *
_Of some Philosophical and curious Books, that are shortly to come abroad._
1. Of the _Origine_ of _Forms_ and _Qualities_, deduced from _Mechanical_
Principles; by the Honorable _Robert Boyle_ Esq.