Chapter 35

_So far this Letter;_ the prescriptions whereof having been carefully observ'd by those who were imployed to make the Experiment, have hitherto been attended with good success; and that not only upon Animals of the same _Species_ (as two Dogs first, and then two Sheep) but also upon some of very differing _Species_ (as a Sheep and a Dog; the former _Emitting_, the other _Receiving_)

_Note_ only, that instead of a Quill, a small crooked thin {357} Pipe of Silver or Brass, so slender that the one end may enter into a Quill, and having at the other end, that is to enter into the Vein and Arterie, a small knob, for the better fastening them to it with a thread, will be much fitter than a strait Pipe or Quill, for this Operation: for so they are much more easie to be managed.

'Tis intended, that these tryals shall be prosecuted to the utmost variety the subject will bear: As by exchanging the bloud of Old and Young, Sick and Healthy, Hot and Cold, Fierce and Fearful, Lame and Wild Animals, &c., and, that not only the same, but also of differing kinds. For which end, and to improve this noble Experiment, either for knowledge, or use, or both, some Ingenious men have already proposed considerable tryals and Inquiries; of which perhaps an account will be given hereafter. For the present we shall only subjoyn some.

_Considerations about this kind of Experiments._

1. It may be consider'd in them, that the bloud of the _Emittent_ Animal, may after a few minuts of time, by its circulation, mix and run out with that of the _Recipient_. Wherefore to be assured in these Tryals, that all the bloud of the _Recipient_ is run out, and none left in him but the adventitious bloud of the _Emittent_, two or three or more Animals (which was also hinted in the _method_ above) may be prepared and administred, to bleed them all out into one.

2. It seems not irrational to guess afore hand, that the exchange of bloud will not alter the nature or disposition of the Animals, upon which it shall be practised; though it may be thought worth while for satisfaction and certainty, to determine that point by Experiments. The case of exchanging the bloud of Animals seems not like that of _Graffing_, where the _Cyons_ turns the Sap of the _Stock_, graffed upon, into its nature; the _Fibres_ of the Cyons so straining the juice, which passes from the stem to it, as thereby to change it into that of the Cyons, whereas in this transfusion there seems to be no such {358} Percolation of the bloud of Animals, whereby that of the one should be changed into the nature of the other.

3. The most probable use of this Experiment may be conjectured to be that one Animal may live with the bloud of another; and consequently, that those Animals, that want bloud, or have corrupt bloud, may be supplyed from other with a sufficient quantity, and of such as is good, provided the Transfusion be often repeated, by reason of the quick expence that is made of the bloud.

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Note.

_In the last _Transactions_ was also promised an Accompt by the next, of Monsieur _Hevelius_ his accurate Calcul. of the late _Solar Eclipses_, Duration, Quantity, &c. But this being to be accompanyed with _Scheme_, the _Graving_ whereof met with a disappointment, it must be still referred to another Opportunity._

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_An Accompt of some Sanative-waters in _Herefordshire_._

This account was communicated by Dr. _B._ in these words.

There are two Springs in _Herefordshire_, whereof one is within a Bolt, or at least Bow-shoot of the top of the near adjoyning loftie Hill of _Malvern_, and at great distance from the Foot of the Hill; and hath had a long and old fame for healing of eyes. When I was for some years molested with Tetters on the back of one and sometimes of both my hands, notwithstanding all endeavors of my very friendly and skilful Physitians I had speedy healing from a neighbouring Spring of far less fame. Yet this Spring healed very old and Ulcerous sores on the Legs of a poor Fellow, which had been poyson'd by Irons in the Gaol, after other Chirurgery had been hopeless. And by many tryals upon my hands, and the Tetters; I was perswaded, that in long droughts, and lasting dry Frosts, those waters were more effectually and more speedily healing, than at other times. And not to omit this circumstance, I did hold this water in my mouth, till it was warm, perchance somewhat intermingled with fasting Spittle, {359} and so dropping it upon the Tetter, I there could see it immediately gather a very thin skin upon the raw flesh, not unlike that which is seen to gather upon Milk over a gentle fire. This skin would have small holes in it, through which a moisture did issue in small drops, which being wip'd away, and the water continued to be dropp'd warm out of the mouth, the holes would diminish, and at last be all quite healed up.

For the _Eye-waters_, I conceived them more strongly tersive, and clearing the Eyes; and they had a rough smartness, as if they carryed Sand or Gravel into the Eye.

I have known and try'd three or four healing Fountains of late discovery, or of no old fame that I could hear of.

I did once put rich _Marle_ for some days in a vessel of water, to try whether the water would acquire a healing vertue, but my Experiments were interrupted. I had in my thoughts many other ways of Tryal; which I may resume hereafter.

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_A farther Accompt of the _Vitriolate-water_, mention'd _Num. 18 p. 323_. Together with some other particulars touching waters._

This comes from the same hand as follows;

I formerly mentioned to you, that, if that Pool of Mr. _Phillip's_, which seems to be of Vitriolate-water, were on my ground, I would drain it, and search the head of the Spring, pursuing the source, till I could well discern, through what lay of Earth or Gravel it does pass. Now I shall tell you, that I have taken order for the further tryal of the said Water, by boiling a greater quantity in a Furnace, &c. But just as we were in readiness for the tryal, a stream of Rain-water fell into the Pool, and so discourag'd us for the present. I have also taken a course to turn the falling Waters aside, and to drain the Pool, that we may see, what the Native Springs (whether one or more) may be. Of which more hereafter.

I wish (_so he goes on_) we had a full Accompt of our _Salt-Springs_ at _Droyt-wych_ near _Worcester_, and at _Nant-wych_ in _Cheshire_ (what other Salt-Springs we have in _England_, I know not:) {360} It should be inquired, at what distance they are from the Seas, or from Salt-fluxes, from Hills, and how deep in the Vales? What the weight? Whether in droughts or long Frosts the proportion of Salt or weight increaseth? Whether the Earth near the Springs, or in their passage hath any peculiar ferment, or produceth a blackishness, if it rests, after it is well drained.

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_Inquiries for _Turky_._

Though many Relations and Descriptions of _Turky_ be extant in Print, yet they leave in many a desire of a fuller information in the following particulars, lately drawn up, for the most part by Mr. _H._ and recommended to an Ingenious Gentleman, bound for that Country; and desired also to be taken notice of by others, that may have occasion to visit the same.

[Sidenote: * _Rusma_ is a kind of Earth, used in _Turky_ to take away hair.]

1. In what part of _Turky_ the * _Rusma_ is to be found; and in what quantity? Whether the _Turks_ employ it to any other Uses, besides that of the taking away of Hair? Whether here be differing kinds of it? How it is used to take of hair, and how to get store of it.

2. Whether the _Turks_ do not only take _Opium_ themselves for strength and courage, but also give it to their Horses, Camels and Dromedaries, for the same purpose, when they find them tired and faint in their travelling? What is the greatest _Dose_, any men are known to have taken of _Opium_? and how prepared?

3. What effects are observed from their use, not only of _Opium_ (already mention'd) but also of Coffee, Bathing, shaving their Heads, using Rice; and why they prefer that which grows not unless water'd, before Wheat, &c.

4. How their Damasco steel is made and temper'd?

5. What is their way of dressing and making Leather, which though thin and supple, will hold out water?

6. What method they observe in breeding those excellent Horses, they are so much famed for?

7. Whether they be so skilful in Poysoning, as it is said; and how their Poysons are curable?

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8. How the _Armenians_ keep Meat fresh and sweet so long, as 'tis said they do?

9. What Arts or Trades they have worth Learning?

10. Whether there be such a Tree about _Damascus_, call'd _Mouslat_, which every year about the Month of _December_ is cut down close by the root, and within four or five Months time shoots up again apace, bringing forth Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit also, and bearing but one Apple (an excellent Fruit) at once?

11. Whether about _Reame_ in the Southern part of _Arabia Foelix_, there be Grapes without any grains? And whether the people in that Country live, many of them, to a hundred and twenty years, in good health?

12. Whether in _Candia_ there be no poysonous Creatures; and whether those Serpents, that are there, are without poyson?

13. Whether all Fruits, Herbs, Earth, Fountains, are naturally saltish in the Isle of _Cyprus_? And whether those parts of this Isle, which abound in _Cyprus-trees_, are more or less healthful, than others?

14. What store of _Amianthus_ there is in _Cyprus_; and how they work it?

15. Whether _Mummies_ be found in the sands of _Arabia_, that are the dryed flesh of men buried in those sandy Deserts in travelling? And how they differ in their vertue from the Embalmed ones?

16. Whether the parts about the City of _Constantinople_ or _Asia Minor_, be as subject to Earth-quakes now, as they have been formerly? And whether the Eastern Winds do not Plague the said City with Mists, and cause that inconstancy of Weather, it is said to be subject to?

17. Whether the Earth-quakes in _Zant_ and _Cephalonia_ be so frequent, as now and then to happen nine or ten times a Month? And whether these Isles be not very Cavernous?

18. What is the height of Mount _Caucasus_, its position, temper in its several parts, &c.

19. With what declivity the Water runs out of the _Euxine-Sea_ into the _Propontis_? With what depth? And if the many Tides and Eddies, so famous by the name of the _Euripi_, have any certain Period? {362}

20. If in the _Euxine-Sea_ there can be found any sign of the _Caspian Seas_ emptying it self into it by a passage under ground? If there be any different Colour, or Temper as to Heat or Cold; or any Current or Motion in the Water, that may give light to it?

21. By what Inland passages they go to _China_; there being now a passage for _Caravans_ throughout those places, that would formerly admit of no Correspondence by reason of the Barbarisme of the Inhabitants?

22. Whether in the Aquæducts, they make, they line the inside with as good Plaister, as the Ancients did? and how theirs is made?

23. To inquire after these excellent works of Antiquity, of which that Country is full, and which by the ignorant are not thought worth notice or preservation? And particularly, what is the bigness and structure of the Aquaeducts, made in several places about _Constantinople_ by _Solyman_ the Magnificent? &c.

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_An Observation of Optick Glasses made of _Rock-Chrystal_._

This is contained in a Letter of _Eustachio Divini_, Printed in _Italian_ at _Rome_, as the _39. Journal des Scavans_ extracts it, _vid._

[Sidenote: * It may be queried whether those were true Veins, or only Superficial Strictures, and slight scratches.]

Though it be commonly believed, that _Rock-Christal_ is not fit for Optick-Glasses, because there are many Veins in it; yet _Eustachio Divini_ made one of it, which _he saith_ proved an excellent one, though full of Veins. *

* * * * *

_An Accompt of the Use of the Grain of _Kermes_ for Coloration._

This was communicated by the Ingenious Dr. _Croon_, as he received it from one Monsieur _Verny_, a _French_ Apothecary at _Montpelier_; who having described the Grain of _Kermes_, to be an excrescence growing upon the Wood, and often upon the {363} leaves of a Shrub, plentifull in _Languedock_, and gather'd in the end of _May_, and the beginning of _June_, full of a red Juyce; subjoyns two Uses, which that Grain hath, the one for _Medicine_, the other for _Dying of Wool_. Waving the _first_, notice shall only be taken here of the _latter_, vid. That, for _Dying_, they take the Grain of _Kermes_, when ripe, and spread it upon Linnen: And at first, whilst it abounds most in moisture, 'tis turn'd twice or thrice a day, to prevent its Heating. And when there appears red powder amongst it, they separate it, passing it through a Searce; and then again spread abroad the Grain upon Linnen, untill there be perceived the same redness of the powder; and at the end, this red power appears _about_ and _on_ the surface of the Grain, which is still to be pass'd through a Searce, till it render no more.

And in the beginning, when the small red Grains are seen to move (as they will do) they are sprinkled over with strong Vinegar, and rubb'd between ones hands: afterwards little balls are form'd thereof, which are expos'd to the Sun to dry.

If this red powder should be let alone, without pouring Vinegar or some other accid liquor upon it, out of every Grain thereof would be form'd a little Fly, which would skip and fly up and down for a day or two, and at last changing its colour, fall down quite dead, deprived of all the bitterness, the Grains, whence they are generated, had before.

The Grain being altogether emptyed of its pulp or red powder, 'tis wash'd in Wine, and then expos'd to the Sun Being well dryed, 'tis rubb'd in a Sack to render it bright; and then 'tis put up in small Sacks, putting in the midst, according to the quantity, the Grain has afforded, 10. or 12. pounds (for a _Quintal_) of the dust, which is the red powder, that came out of it. And accordingly, as the Grain affords more or less of the said powder, Dyers buy more or less of it.

'Tis to be noted, That the first red powder, which appears, issues out of the Hole of the Grain, that is on the side, where the Grain adhered to the Plant. And that, which about the end appears sticking on the Grain, hath been alive in the husk, having pierced its covers though the hole, whence it commonly issues, remains close as to the Eye. {364}

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_An Account of Some Books lately published._

1. _PINAX Rerum Naturalium BRITANNICARUM, continens VEGETABILIA, ANIMALIA & FOSSILIA in hoc Insula reperta, inchoatus, Auth._ Christophoro Merret, _Med. D. & utriusque_ Societatis Regiæ _socio._

The Learned and Inquisitive Author of this Book, hath by his laudable example of collecting together, what Natural things are to be found here in _England_, of all sorts (which he has done upon his own expences) given an invitation to the curious in all parts of the world to attempt the like, thereby to establish the much desired and highly useful commerce among _Naturalists_, and to contribute every where to the composing of a genuine and full _History of Nature_.

In the _Preface_ he intimates, that his stock does still encrease dayly; and that therefore the Reader may expect an _Appendix_ to this collection.

In the Body of the Book, he enumerates all the _Species_, Alphabetically: And, as to _Vegetables_, he reckons up about 410 sorts; and gives their _Latine_ and _English_ Names, and the _Places_ and _Times_ of their growth: reducing them afterwards to certain _Classes_, hitherto used by _Botanick_ Writers in their _Histories_ of _Plants_: Adding the _Etymology_ of their Generick Names, and a compendious _Register_ of the Time, _when_ and _how long_ the _English_ Plants do shoot and flourish.

As to _Animals_, he finds of them about 340 kinds in _England_, whereof the _fourfooted_ are about 50, _Birds_ 170, and _Fishes_ 120. _Insects_ are innumerable, which yet he endeavours to enumerate, and to reduce to certain _Classes_; into which he also brings the three former kinds.

Concerning _Fossils_, he _first_ takes notice of the _Metals_ found in _English_ Mines; as _Silver, Tin, Copper, Iron, Lead, Antimony_, and some _Gold_ extracted out of _Tin_. Next of the _Stones_, of which he finds about 70 sorts; & amongst them, _Bristol Diamonds, Agates, Hyacinths, Emerods, Loadstones, Toad-stones_, (which last yet he affirms to be nothing but the grinding-teeth of the {365} Fish _Lupus_) _Pearls, Corals, Marble, Alablaster, Emery:_ To which he adds the various kinds of _Coals_; as also _Bitumens, Turfs_ and _Jets_. And _thirdly_ of the various kinds of _Allam, Vitriol, Niter, Sea-salt, Pit-salt_. But _fourthly_ of the various _Earths_, of which he reckons up 15. peculiar sorts (besides those that serve for _Husbandry_, which are not easily numbred;) and amongst them, _Read-lead, Black-lead_ and _Fullers-earth_.

He concludes all with mentioning the several _Meteors_ appearing in _England_; and the _Hot springs_; and _Medical Waters_; as also, the _Salin, Petrifying_, and some more unusual Springs: _Item, Subterraneous Trees, Subterraneous Rivers, Ebbings and Flowings of Wells_, &c.

II. _PLACITA PHILOSOPHICA Guarini._ The chief subject of this Treatise is Natural _Philosophy_; upon many important questions whereof it enlargeth, as those of the Motion of the Coelestial Bodies, of Light, of Meteors, and of the vital and animal functions; leaving sometimes the common opinions, and delighting in the defence of _Paradoxes_.

_E. G._ That the material substantial Form, is nothing but _mera potentia_, and subsists not by it self: by which means the Author judges, he can free himself from many great difficulties touching _Generation_ and _Corruption_, which do perplex the other Philosophers.

He holds _Epicycles_ to be impossible, and _Excentricks_, not sufficient to explicate the motion of the Stars; but that all the irregularities of this motion may be salved by the means of certain _Spiral_ Lines; largely proving this _Hypothesis_, and particularly explicating the motion of each Planet.

He denies the middle Region of the Air to be cold; and believes that cold is not necessary to condense the vapours into Water.

He admits not that received Axiome, _That the generation of one Body is the corruption of another_; maintaining that there are _Generations_, to which no corruption ever preceded; and that it may happen, that one Animal without dying may be changed into another Animal.

He alledges several reasons to evince, that the Air breathed in, enters not only into the whole capacity of the Chest, but also into the lower belly. {366}

He is of opinion that the Air, which is commonly believed to corrupt easily, is incorruptible; alledging among other reasons, this for one, that experience shews, that if a Bottle be exactly stop'd, there is never any mixt Body form'd in it; wherefore, _saith he_, the Air is not corrupted there.

He maintains, that 'tis not the _Magnet_ that draws the Iron, but rather the Iron that attracts the _Magnet_. To explain which he affirms, that the Load-stone spreads abroad out of it self many corpuscles, which the substance of the Iron imbibes, and that, as dry things attract those that are moist, by the same reason Iron drawn the Loadstone.

He rejects the _species intentionales_, _Vital_ and _Animal_ Spirits, and holds many other uncommon opinions, touching _Light_, the _Iris_, the _Flux and Reflux of the Sea_, &c.

III. _GUSTUS ORGANUM per _Laurentium Bellini_ novissimè deprehensum._

The Author proposing to himself to discover both the principal _Organ_ of the _Taste_, and the nature of its _object_, begins with the latter, and examins first, what is _Taste?_ He judges that it is caused by nothing but Salts, which being variously figured, affects the tongue variously: alledging this for his chief reason, that the Salt which is extracted by _Chymists_ out of any mixt body whatever it be, carries away with it all its taste, and that the rest remains tasteless. He adds that the Teeth in grinding the Food, serve much to extract this Salt: And he notes by the by, that the Teeth are so necessary for preparing the aliment, that certain Animals which seem to have none, have them in their stomach; and that nature has put at the entry of the palat of those that are altogether destitute of them, certain moveable inequalities, which are to them instead of Teeth.

But then _secondly_, concerning the _Organ_ of Taste, he esteems, that 'tis neither the Flesh, nor the Tongue, nor the Membrans, nor the Nerves found there, nor the Glanduls, called _Amygdalinæ_; but those _little eminences_ that are found upon the tongue of all Animals. To obtain which, he observes,

1. That from the middle of the Tongue to the root, as also towards the tip, there are found innumerable _little Risings_ {367} called _Papillares_; but that from the tip of the Tongue unto the string there is observed none at all.

2. He hath experimented, that if you put _Sal Armoniack_ upon the places of the Tongue, where those _Eminencies_ are not, you shall find no Taste; but that you will find it presently assoon as you put any such Salt, where they are to be met with. Ergo, _saith he_, those _Eminencies_ are the principal Organ of Taste.

3. He assures, that with a _Microscope_, may be seen in those _Risings_ many little holes, at the bottom whereof there are small nerves, terminating there: But _he directs_, to observe this in live and healthy, not in dead or sick Animals.

Having laid down these Observations, he concludes, that the manner, after which Taste is perform'd, is this, That the particles of Salt passing through those pores, which pierce the _Papillary Eminences_, and penetrating as far as to the nerves, that meet them there, do by the means of their small points prick them; which pricking is called the _Taste_.

In the mean time he acknowledges, that before him Signior _Malphigi_, Professor at _Messina_, had made some of these discoveries.

The notice of these two last Books we owe to the _French Journal_.

* * * * *

_Correct in Number._ 19.

Page, 342. line, 33. read _mixt Ores_, in stead of, _mixt with Ores_.

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_London_, Printed for _John Martin_, Printer to the _Royal Society_, and are to be sold at the _Bell_ a little without _Temple-Bar_.

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_Numb._ 21.

PHILOSOPHICAL _TRANSACTIONS._

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_Munday_, _January_ 21. 1666.

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The Contents.