This Observation is by the same _Astronomer_, represented also by the
_Figures AAAAAA_; as that of the _Horizontal Eclipse_ of the _Moon_, is, by
the _Figures BB_.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
{372}
* * * * *
_The Figure of the Stars in the Constellation of _Cygnus_; together with
the _New Star_ in it, discover'd some years since, and very lately seen by
M. _Hevelius_ again._
The Relation concerning this _New Star_ in the _Brest of Cygnus_, very
lately discover'd again at _Dantzick_, by M. _Hevelius_, was publish't
_Numb_. 19. _p_. 349. The _Figure_ of that _Constellation_, with the _New
Star_ in it, was thus, hastily drawn, sent over by that Observer.
[Illustration]
{373}
* * * * *
_An Extract of a Letter written _Decemb. 28. 1666_. by M. _Auzout_ to the
Publisher, concerning a way of his, for taking the _Diameters_ of the
_Planets_, and for knowing the _Parallax_ of the _Moon_; as also the
Reason, why in the _Solar Eclipse_ above calculated, the _Diameter_ of the
_Moon_ did increase about the end._
I did apply my self the last Summer to the taking of the _Diameters_ of the
Sun, Moon, and the other Planets, by a Method, which one M. _Picard_ and my
self have, esteem'd by Us the best of all those, that have been practis'd
hitherto; since we can take the _Diameters_ to _Second Minutes_, being able
to divide one foot into 24000. or 30000. parts, scarce failing as much as
in one only part, so as we can in a manner be _assur'd_, not to deceive our
selves in 3. or 4. _seconds_. I shall not now tell you my Observations, but
I may very well assure you, that the _Diameter_ of the _Sun_ has not been
much less in his _Apogee_, than 31. m. 37. or 40. sec. and certainly not
lesse than 31. m. 35. sec. and that at present in his _Perigee_ it passes
not 32. m. 45. sec. and may be lesse by a second or two. That, which is at
the present troublesome, is, that the _Vertical_ Diameter, which is the
most easie to take, is diminisht, even at _Noon_, by 8. or 9. sec., because
of the _Refractions_, which are much greater in Winter than Summer at the
same height; and that the _Horizontal_ Diameter is difficult, because of
the swift motion of the Heavens.
As for the _Moon_, I never yet found her Diameter less than 29. m. 44. or
45. sec. and I have not seen it pass 33. m. or if it hath, it was only by a
few _seconds_. But I have not yet taken her in all the kinds of situations
of the _Apogees_ and _Perigees_ which happen, with the _Conjunctions_ and
_Quadratures_. I do not mention all, what can be deduced from thence, but
if you have Persons at _London_, that observe these _Diameters_, we may
entertain our selves more about this Subject, another time. I shall only
tell you, that I have found a Way to know the _Parallax_ of the _Moon_, by
the means of her _Diameter_: _Vid_. If on a day, when she is to be in her
_Apogee_ or _Perigee_, and in the most _Boreal_ Signes, you take her
Diameter towards the _Horizon_, and then towards the _South_, with her
_Altitudes_ {374} above the Horizon. For, if the Observation of the
Diameters be exact; as in these Situations the Moon changes not
considerably her Distance from the Earth in 6. or 7. hours, the
_Difference_ of the Diameters will shew the Proportion there is of her
Distance, with the Semi-diameter of the Earth. I do not enlarge, because
that as soon as one hath this _Idea_, the rest is easie. The same would yet
be practis'd better in the places, where the Moon passes through the
_Zenith_, than here, for the greater the difference is of the Heights, the
greater is that of the Diameters. I do not note (for it easily appears)
that, if one were under the same _Meridian_, or the same _Azimuth_ in two
very different places, and took at the same time the Diameter of the Moon,
one would do the same thing, though this Method goes not to preciseness.
From what has been said, may be collected the reason of the Observation,
which M. _Hevelius_ made in the last _Eclipse of the Sun_, touching the
increase of the Moon's Diameter about the end. I am exceeding glad, that a
person, who probably knew not the cause of it, has made the Experiment: but
it is strange, that until now no Astronomer has foreseen, that that should
happen, nor given any precepts for the Change of the _Moons Diameter_ in
the _Eclipses of the Sun_, according to the places, where they should
happen, and according to the Hour and Height, the Moon should have. For,
what hapned in that _Eclipse_ of Augmentation, would have faln out
contrarily, if it had been in the Evening; for, the Moon, which in that
_Eclipse_, that began in the Morning, was higher about the end than at the
beginning, was nearer us, and consequently was to appear bigger: But if the
_Eclipse_ should happen in the Evening, she would be lower at the end, and
therefore more distant from us, and consequently appear lesser. So also in
two different places, whereof one should have the Eclipse in the Morning,
and the other at Noon, the Moon should appear bigger to him that hath it at
Noon: And she must likewise appear bigger to those, who shall have a leser
_Elevation_ of the _Pole_ under the same _Meridian_, because the Moon will
be nearer them.
I wish, I could satisfie you about the _Optick Glasses_ of Signior
_Burattini_ in _Poland_, which he hath sent hither; but I have not yet seen
their performances my self. I only saw once the Glasses, {375} which are
perfectly well wrought and well polisht. Those, that have tried them, find
them very good; but they are only, the one of 10, the other of 8. foot. A
good Astronomer told me, that they would bear a great _Aperture_ in respect
of their length.
I do not well know, what to say to yours concerning M. _Hevelius_. Mean
while, the interest of truth, and the obliging manner, he has treated me
with, engage me to answer him, in the matter of the _Comets_: I am
perswaded, I shall convince him; but since he hath taken the _Illustrious
Royal Society_ for Judge, I accept that with all my heart.
* * * * *
_A Relation of the loss of the Way to prepare the _Bononian Stone_ for
shining._
[Sidenote: * It is hoped notwithstanding (which also a late Letter from
abroad does hint) that some or other of the _Italian_ Vertuosi at
_Florence_ have secured this Secret.]
Though several Persons have pretended to know the Art of preparing and
calcining the _Bononian_ Stone, for keeping a while the Light once imbibed;
yet there hath been indeed but one, who had the true secret of performing
it. This was an _Ecclesiastick_, who is now dead, without having left that
skill of his to any one, as Letters from _Italy_ and _France_, some while
since, did inform. There is no substance, in Nature, known to us, that hath
the effect of this Stone; so that (to the shame of the present Age) this
_Phaenomenon_ is not like to be found any where, but in Books, except some
happy _Genius_ light upon same or the like skill. *
* * * * *
_A Description of a _Swedish_ Stone, which affords _Sulphur_, _Vitriol_,
_Allum_ and _Minium_._
This was communicated to the _R. Society_ by Sir _Gilbert Talbot_ Knight, a
Worthy Member of that Body, as he had received it in _Denmark_, being his
Majesties Extraordinary Envoy there; as follows,
[Illustration]
There is a Stone in _Sweden_ of a Yellow Colour, intermixed with streaks of
white (as if composed of Gold and Silver) and heavy withal. It is found in
firm Rocks, and runs in Veins, {376} upon which they lay Wood, and set it
on fire. When the Stone is thus heated, they cast Water upon it, to make it
rend, and then dig it up with Mattocks. This done, they break it into
smaller pieces; and put it into Iron-pots, of the shape represented by
_Figure_ C; the mouth of the one going into the other. These they place,
the _one_ in the Oven upon an Iron fork sloping, so that, the Stone being
melted, it may run into the _other_, which stands at the mouth of the Oven,
supported upon an Iron. The first running of the Stone is _Sulphur_.
The remainder of the burned Stone is carry'd out, and laid upon a high
Hill, where it lies exposed to the Sun and Air for the space of two years,
and then taketh fire of it self, casting forth a thin blew flame, scarce
discernable in the day time. This being consumed, leaveth a blew dust
behind it; which the Workmen observe, and mark with woodden pins. This they
dig up, and carry into the Work-house, and put it into great Tubs of Water,
where it infuseth 24. hours or more. The Water they afterward boyl in
Kettles, as we do Saltpeter, and put it into cooling Tubs, wherein they
place crosse Sticks, and on them the _Vitriol_ fastens, as Sugar-candy
doth.
The Water, that remains after the extraction of the _Vitriol_, they mix
with an eight part of Urin and the Lees of Wood-ashes, which is again
boyled very strong, and being set to cool in Tubbs, crosse Sticks are
likewise placed, and thereon the _Allum_ fastens.
In the Water, which remains after the _Allum_, is found a Sediment, which
being separated from the Water, is put into an Oven, and Wood laid upon it
and fired, till it become red, which makes the _Minium_, wherewith they
paint their Houses, and make plaister.
_So far this Description_; Which gave occasion to a curious person to call
to mind, That there was a kind of Stone in the _North_ of _England_,
yielding the same substances, except _Minium_. {377}
* * * * *
_A Relation of the Raining of _Ashes_, in the _Archipelago_, upon the
Eruption of Mount _Vesuvius_, some years ago._
This came but lately to hand from that knowing person, Mr. _Henry
Robinson_, and was thought fit to be now inserted here, that it might not
be lost, though it hath hapned above 30 years ago. It was contained in a
Letter, (subscribed by Capt. _Will. Badily_) in these words:
[Sidenote: * Some of these Ashes were produced by Mr. _John Evelyn_, before
the _Royal Society_.]
The 6^{th.} of _December_ 1631, being in the Gulf of _Volo_, riding at
Anchor, about ten of the Clock that Night, it began to rain Sand or Ashes,
and continued till two of the Clock the next Morning. It was about two
inches thick on the Deck, so that we cast it over board with Shovels, as we
did Snow the day before: The quantity of a Bushel we brought home, and
presented to several Friends *, especially to the Masters of _Trinity
House_. There was in our Company, Capt. _John Wilds_ Commander of the
_Dragon_, and Capt. _Anthony Watts_, Commander of the _Elisabeth_ and
_Dorcas_. There was no Wind stirring, when these Ashes fell, it did not
fall onely in the places, where we were, but likewise in other parts, as
Ships were coming from St. _John D'Acre_ to our Port; they being at that
time a hundred Leagues from us. We compared the Ashes together, and found
them both one. If you desire to see the Ashes, let me know.
* * * * *
_An Extract Of A Letter not long since written from _Rome_, rectifying the
Relation of _Salamanders_ living in Fire._
This came from that Expert Anatomist M. _Steno_, to Dr. _Croone Videl_.
That a Knight called _Corvini_, had assured him, that, having cast a
_Salamander_, brought him out of the _Indies_, into the Fire, the Animal
thereupon swell'd presently, and then vomited store of thick slimy matter,
which did put out the neighbouring Coals, to which the _Salamander_ retired
immediately, putting them out again in the same manner, as soon as they
{378} rekindled, and by this means saving himself from the force of the
Fire, for the space of two hours, the Gentleman above-mentioned being then
unwilling to hazard the Creature any further: That afterwards it lived nine
Months: That he had kept it eleven Months without any other food, but what
it took by licking the Earth, on which it moved, and on which it had been
brought out of the _Indies_; which at first was covered with a thick
moisture, but being dried afterwards, the Urin of the Animal served to
moisten the same. After the eleven Months, the Owner having a mind to try,
how the Animal would do upon _Italian_ Earth, it died three dayes after it
had changed the Earth.
* * * * *
_An Account of several Engagements for Observing of Tydes._
Since nothing is more important for discovering the Cause of that Grand
_Phaenomenon_ of Nature, the _Flux_ and _Reflux of the Sea_, than a true and
full _History of the Tydes_; the _Virtuosi_ of _England_ have of late
(especially since the Publication of Dr. _Wallis_ his _Theory_ touching
that _Apparence_) taken care, to direct and recommend in several parts of
the World, and particularly in the most proper places of these _Ilands_,
such Observations, as may contribute to the elucidating of that Subject.
And as formerly they have sent their _Inquiries_ of this Nature to the Isle
of St. _Helena_, situated in the open Ocean beyond the _AEquinoctial_, and
already received some account thereupon; so they have since dispatcht the
like for the _Bermudas_, an _Isle_ that hath no less conveniency of
situation for that purpose. And they intend (as will more amply appear, God
permitting, in a short time) to lodge with such Masters of Ships and
Pilots, as shall sayl into remote parts, very particular directions of that
kind, to be printed at the _Royal Societies_ charges, and to be committed
to the care of the Masters of _Trinity House_ for disposing of them to that
end.
And, as for the Observations, to be made in these Kingdoms; 'tis hoped,
that the Masters in the Art of Navigation at _Bristol_ (Mr. _Standridge_
and Mr. _Iff_) will undertake that business with affection and care: the
former of these two having already (as we are informed from a good hand)
made a Collection of the Tydes; {379} for some years past, and found them
differing from former Observations and Tables; the other promising future
diligence in this matter; noting in the mean time, that some Tydes of last
Autumn were so far differing from former Observations, that neither he, nor
any others there, could make any thing of it.
We must not omit here to mention the readiness, expressed by these worthy
Gentlemen, Mr. _Rob. Boyle_, Sir _Rob. Moray_, and Mr. _Henry Powle_, for
concurring in this Work; the first, having undertaken to recommend
Observations of this nature, to be made, upon the _Western_ Coast of
_Ireland_ *; the second, upon the West of _Scotland_; and the third, in the
Isle of _Lundy_; to whom we must adde the inquisitive Mr. _Sam.
Colepresse_, for _Plymouth_, and the _Lands-end_. Besides, we hope to
engage the curious of _France_ in the same undertaking, especially for
procuring, besides what is known already concerning that place, a very
particular and exact account of the Tydes upon the Coast of _Britany_,
where (especially about St. _Malo_) they are found to rise to admiration,
even to 60, 70, and sometime 80, feet, at the New and Full Moon.
* The Observations particularly recommended for that Coast, are these;
1. At what hour it is High-water on the day of the New and Full Moon,
upon every Cape and Bay of the Western Coast of _Ireland_.
2. How long after the New and Full Moon the highest Spring-tides fall
out.
3. What are the perpendicular heights of the Flood, both at the
ordinary, and the Spring-tydes.
* * * * *
_Some Suggestions for Remedies against _Cold_._
As there have been Remedies found out against excessive _Heat_, and Means
of cooling Meat and Drink; so it was lately, on the occasion of the sharp
Season, suggested, That Remedies might be thought on against _Cold_; and
that particularly it might be inquired into,
1. What things in Nature, or by Art, or Mechanical contrivance will retain
a warming Heat longest, or a melting or scorching Heat?