Chapter 9

This double _Wedge_, being 12. or 13. Inches long, each piece of it, and so made, as being placed in their due position they may make up a _Cylinder_, but _Diagonal_-wise. The two flat sides that are contiguous, are to be greased or oyled, that the one may slip the more easily upon the other; and one of them, which is to be uppermost, having at the great end a hollow _Crease_ cut into it round about, for fastening a _Cartridge_, full of _Gunpowder_, to it with a thred, the round end of the _Wedge_ being pared as much as the thickness of the Paper or Pastboard, that holds the Powder, needs to make the outside thereof _even_ with the rest of the _Wedge_. This _Wedge_ must have an Hole drilled through the longest side of it, to be filled with _priming Powder_, for firing of the Powder in the _Cartridge_; which needs have no more, than half a pound of Powder, though upon occasion a greater quantity may be used, as shall be found requisite.

Then this _Wedge_, being first thrust into the Hole with the _Cartridge_, the round side, whether the Priming-hole is, being uppermost, the other _Wedge_ is to be thrust in, home to the due position, care being taken, that they fit the Hole in the Rock as exactly as may be. Then the end of the lower _Wedge_ being about an Inch longer, than that of the upper outwardly, and flatned, priming Powder is to be laid upon it; and a piece of burning _Match_ or _Thread_ dipt in _Brimstone_ or other such prepared combustible Matter, fastned to it, that may burn so long before it fire the Powder, as he, that orders it, may have time enough to retire quite out the Pit or _Adit_, having first placed a piece of Wood or Iron so, as one end thereof, being set against the end of the lower Wedge, and the other against the side-wall, so as it cannot slip. Which being done, and the Man retired, when the Powder comes to take fire, it will first drive out the uppermost Wedge, as far as it will go, but the slaunting figure of it being so made, as the farther it goes backward, the thicker it grows, till at the last it can go no farther, then the {85} fire tears the Rock to get forth, and so cracks and breaks it all about, that at one time a vast deal of it will either be quite blown out, or so crackt and broken, as will make it easie to be remov'd: And according to the effect of one such _Cartridge_, more may be afterwards made use of, as hath been said.

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_Observables upon a _Monstrous Head_._

This was the Head of a _Colt_, represented in the annexed _Figure_ 4. first viewed by Mr. _Boyle_, who went into the Stable where the _Colt_ lay, and got the Head hastily and rudely cut off, the _Body_ thereof appearing to his Eye compleately formed, without any _Monstrosity_ to be taken notice of in it. Afterwards he caused it to be put into a Vessel, and covered with _Spirit of Wine_ thereby chiefly intending, to give good example, together with a proof, that by the help of the said _Spirit_, (which he hath recommended for such Properties in one of his _Essays_ of the _Usefulness_ of _Natural Philosophy_) the parts of _Animals_, and even _Monsters_, may in _Summer_ it self be preserved long enough to afford _Anatomists_ the opportunities of examining them.

The Head being opened, and examined, it was found.

_First_, That it had no sign of any _Nose_ in the usual place, nor had it any, in any other place of the Head, unless the double Bag CC, that grew out of the midst of the forehead, were some rudiment of it.

_Next_, That the _two Eyes_ were united into one _Double Eye_, which was placed just in the middle of the Brow, the Nose being wanting, which should have separated them, whereby the two Eye-holes in the Scull were united into one very large round hole, into the midst of which, from the Brain, entred one pretty large _Optik Nerve_, at the end of which grew a great _Double Eye_; that is, that _Membrane_, called _Sclerotis_, which contained both, was one and the same, but seemed to have a _Seam_, {86} by which they were joined, to go quite round it, and the fore or pellucid part was distinctly separated into two _Cornea_'s by a white _Seam_ that divided them. Each _Cornea_ seemed to have its _Iris_, (or Rain-bow-like Circle) and Apertures or Pupils distinct; and upon opening the _Cornea_, there was found within it two _Balls_, or _Crystalline Humours_, very well shaped; but the other parts of it could not be so well distinguished, because the eye had been much bruised by the handling, and the inner parts confused and dislocated. It had four Eye-browes, placed in the manner exprest in Figure 4. by a a, b b; a a representing the _lower_, and b b, the _upper_ Eye-lids.

_Lastly_, That just above the Eyes, as it were in the midst of the Forehead, was a very deep depression, and out of the midst of that grew a kind of double _Purse_ or _Bagg_, C C, containing little or nothing in it; but to some it seemed to be a production of the matter designed for the Nose, but diverted by this Monstrous Conception; perhaps the _Processus mammillares_ joyned into one, and covered with a thin hairy skin.

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_Observables in the Body of the _Earl_ of _Balcarres_._

These following Observations, were a while since sent out of _Scotland_ by an ingenious person, an Eye-witness, to Sir _Robert Moray_.

1. That the Belly of this Nobleman being opened, the _Omentum_ or _Net_ was found lean and small: his _Liver_ very big; the _Spleen_ big also, filled with a black and thick humour. His _Stomack_ and _Entralls_ all empty, of a Saffron-colour, distended with wind only. The _Bladder_ of _Gall_ swelled with a black humour: The _Kidneys_ filled with a kind of _grumous blood_.

2. That in the _Thorax_ or _Chest_, the _Lobes_ of the _Lungs_ were all entire, but of a bad colour; on the left side somewhat black and blue, and on the right, whitish; with a yellowish knob under one of the _Lobes_. {87}

3. That the _Pericardium_ or the _Case_ of the _Heart_ being opened, there appeared none of that water, in which the _Heart_ uses to swim; and the external Surface of it, from the _Base_ to the _Tipp_, was not smooth, but very rough. It being cut asunder, a quantity of white and inspissate liquour run out, and beneath the _Base_, between the right and left Ventricle, _two stones_ were found, whereof the one was as bigg as an _Almond_, the other, _two_ Inches long and _one_ broad, having three _Auricles_ or crisped _Angles_: And in the Orifice of the right Ventricle, there was a fleshy fattish Matter.

4. That the whole Body was bloudless, thin, and emaciated, of a black and bluish Colour.

5. The _Scull_ being opened, both the _Cerebrum_ and _Cerebellum_ were bigg in proportion to the Body; and out of it run much more Bloud, than was seen in both the other Regions together.

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_Of the designed Progress to be made in the _Breeding of Silkworms_, and the _Making_ of _Silk_, in _France_._

The _French_ King _Henry the Fourth_, having made a general Establishment all over _France_, of planting and propagating of _Mulberry-trees_, and _Breeding of Silkworms_, in order to set up and entertain a _Silk-trade_ there; and having prospered so well in that Design, that in many parts of his Dominions great store of such Trees were raised, and Multitudes of Silk-works propagated, to the great benefit of the _French_ people, forasmuch as it was a considerable beginning to avoid the transport of several Millions abroad for buying of Silks, and withall an excellent means of well-imploying abundance of poor Orphans and Widows, and many old, lame, and other indigent and helpless people; The present _French King_, hath lately revived and seconded that Undertaking by giving express order that it should be promoted by all possible means, and particularly in the _Metropolis_ of that Kingdom, and round about it; and that for that end the whole way concerning that Work and {88} Trade should be fully and punctually communicated in Print; which hath also been executed by one _Monsieur Isnard_, in a Treatise published at _Paris_, in _French_, Intituled, _Instructions for the Planting of White Mulberryes, the Breeding of Silkworms, and the Ordering of Silk in _Paris_, and the circumjacent Places_, In which Book, the Method being represented, which that Great Prince _Henry_ IV used in establishing the said Work and Trade, together with the success thereof, and the advantages thence derived to his Subjects, the _Author_, from his own _Experience_, and long _Practice_, delivers (and seems to do it candidly) all what belongs in this business in four main heads. _First_, he teaches the Means of sowing, planting, and raising _White Mulberryes_ (as the Foundation of Silkworks) shewing how many several wayes _that_ may be done. _Secondly_, The Breeding of _Silkworms_, the choosing of good Eggs, and their hatching, as also the Feeding of the _Worms_, and preserving them from sickness, and Curing them of it, together with the way of making them spin to best advantage. _Thirdly_, The manner of winding their Silk from their Bottoms, adding the _Scheme_ of the _Instrument_ serving for that purpose. _Fourthly_, The way of _keeping_ _Silkworms_ Eggs for the ensuing year.

Through the whole Book are scattered many not inconsiderable particulars, though perhaps known to most. The _White Mulberry Tree_, as it is in other qualities preferable to the _Black_, so this _Author_ esteems it the best, not only for the durableness of the wood, and its large extent of usefulness in Carpentry and Joyners work; but also for the fitness of its leaves (besides their principal use for the food of _Silkworms_) to fatten Sheep, Goats, Cowes, and Hoggs, only by boyling and mingling them with Bran. The Berryes themselves he commends as very excellent to fatten Poultry, and to make them lay Eggs plentifully. In the _Changes_, _Working_, and _Generation_ of this _Insect_, he is very curious to observe many things. Their _Metamorphoses_, as is known, are four, whereof the form of the one hath no conformity with any of the rest. The first from an Egge (of the bigness of a Mustard-seed, and of a darkish Gray Colour, when good) to a _Worm_ or _Caterpillar_, but of a domestick, noble, and profitable kind, _Black_, when it first comes {89} forth, but growing _white_ at last; having 24. feet, 8. on each side of the body, and 4. besides, close to each side of the head. During this form, they undergo constantly 4. Sicknesses, in which they cast their Skins, each sickness lasting about 4. days, wherein they feed not at all; but grow clearer, shorter, and thicker. The second from a _Worm_ to an _Aurelia_ or _Chrysalis_, having the shape of a small Plum, whereunto it is transformed after its spinning time is past; in which state it lies shut up, in hot Countries, for 14. or 15. dayes; in more temperate ones, 18. or 20. without any Food or Air, known to us. During which time this _Insect_ leaves two Coats, both that of a _Worm_, whence 'tis changed into an _Aurelia_, and that of an _Aurelia_, whence it becomes a _Papilio_ or _Butterfly_, in the _Theca_ or _Case_. The third is, from an _Aurelia_ to a _Butterfly_, coming out of the _Theca_ with a head, leggs, and horns; for which passage it makes way by a whitish water, it casts upon the Silk, which moistning, and thereby in a manner putrefying it, the new creature thrusts out its head through the sharp end of the _Case_, by a Hole as big as its self. There is found no Excrement in the _Case_, but the two Skins only, just now mentioned.

Before they begin to spin, and about the latter end of their feeding, they must, saith the _Author_, be often changed, and have Air enough, by opening the Windows of the Room, they are in, if it be not too ill Weather; else, saith he, the Silk that is in their Belly, will cause so extraordinary a heat in them, that it burns their gutts, and sometimes bursts them; and the same (being a substance that resembleth Gum or Burgundy Pitch) will putrefy and turn into a yellowish matter.

He maketh the best marks of their maturity for spinning to be, when they begin to quit their white Colour, & their green and yellow Circles, and grow of the Colour of Flesh, especially upon the tail; having a kind of _consistent_ softness shewing that they have something substantial in their Stomachs.

As for their _Working_, he gives this account of it, that the first day they make only a _Webb_; the second, they form in this _Webb_ their _Cases_, and cover themselves all over with Silk; the third day, they are no longer seen, and the dayes following they thicken their _Cases_, alwayes by one _end_ or _thread_, which they {90} never break off, themselves. This, he affirms, they put out with so much quickness, and draw it so subtle and so long, that without an _Hyperbole_, the _end_ or _thread_ of every _Case_ may have two Leagues in length. He advertiseth, that they must be by no means interrupted in their work, to the end, that all the Silk, they have in their bellyes, may come out.

Some eight dayes after they have finished their Work, as many of the best _Cases_, as are to serve for _seed_, _viz._ the first done the hardest, the reddest and best coloured, must be chosen, and put a-part; and all diligence is to be used to winde off the silk with as much speed, as may be, especially if the _Worms_ have nimbly dispatched their work.

Here he spends a good part of his Book, in giving very particular Instructions, concerning the way of winding off the silk, setting also down the form of the Oven and Instruments necessary for that work, which is the painfullest and nicest of all the rest.

Touching their _Generation_, he prescribeth that there be chosen as many male as female _Cases_ (which are discerned by this, that the males are more pointed at both ends of the _Cases_, and the females more obtuse on the ends, and bigger-bellyed) and that care be had, that no _Cases_ be taken, but such wherein the _Worms_ are heard rolling; which done, and they being come forth in the form of _Butterflies_, having four wings, six feet, two horns, and two very black eyes, and put in a convenient place, the males fluttering with their wings, will joyn and couple with the females, after that these have first purged themselves of a kind of reddish humour by the fundament: in which posture they are to be left from Morning (which is the ordinary time of their coming forth) till evening, and then the females are to be gently pulled away, whereupon they will lay their eggs, having first let fall by the Fundament another humour, esteemed to proceed from the seed of the males; but the males are then thrown away as useless. He advertiseth, that if they be coupled longer than 9. or 10. hours, (which they will be, and that sometimes for 24. hours together, if they be let alone) either the female will receive very great hurt by it, or much seed will remain in her belly. {91}

The seed at first coming out is very white, but within a day it becoms greenish, then red, at last by little and little gray, which colour it retains alwaies, the most coloured of an obscure gray, being the best; those grains which never quit their whiteness, having no fecundity in them.

Each female emits ordinarily some 300 grains, more or less, some of them not being able to render them all, and dying with them in their belly. One ounce of seed will require an hundred pair of _Cases_, of as many Males as Females.

Care must be taken, that no Rats, Mice, Ants, or other Vermin, nor any Hens, or Birds, come near the Seed, they being very greedy to eat them.

This is the substance of what is contained in this _French_ Author, published at _Paris_ on purpose to promote the _Making_ of _Silk_ there, as well as it is practised already in other parts of that Kingdom; which is represented here, to the end, that from this occasion the design, which the English Nation once did entertain of the _increasing of Mulberry trees_, and the _Breeding of Silk-worms_, for the _Making of Silk_ within themselves, may be renewed, and _that_ encouragement given by King _James_ of Glorious memory for that purpose (witness that _Letter_ which he directed to the Lords Lievtenants of the several shires of _England_) and seconded by his _Most Excellent Majesty_, that now is, be made use of, for the honour of _England_ and _Virginia_, and the increase of wealth to the people thereof; especially since there is cause of hope, that a _double Silk harvest_ may be made in _one_ Summer in _Virginia_, without hindring in the least the _Tobacco_-Trade of that Countrey.

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_Enquiries concerning _Agriculture_._

Whereas the _Royal Society_, in prosecuting the _Improvements of Natural knowledge_, have it in design, to collect _Histories of Nature and Arts_, and for that purpose have already, according to the several Inclinations and Studies of their Members, divided themselves into divers _Commitees_, to execute the said design: Those Gentlemen, which do constitute the _Commitee_ for considering of _Agriculture_, and the _History_ and _Improvement_ thereof, have begun their work with drawing up certain {92} Heads of _Enquiries_, to be distributed to persons _Experienced in Husbandry_ all over _England_, _Scotland_, and _Ireland_, for the procuring a _faithful_ and _solid_ information of the _knowledge_ and _practice_ already obtained and used in these Kingdoms; whereby, besides the aid which by this means will be given to the general End of collecting the aforementioned _History_, every place will be advantaged by the helps, that are found in any, and occasion ministred to consider, what improvements may be further made in this whole matter. Now to the End, that those _Enquiries_ may be the more universally known, and those who are skilful in Husbandry, publickly invited to impart their knowledge herein, for the _common_ benefit of their Countrey, it hath been thought fit to publish the _effect_ of them in Print, and withal to desire that what such persons shall think good from their own _Knowledge_ and _Experience_ to communicate hereupon, they would be pleased to send it to the Printers of the _Royal Society_, to be delivered to either of the _Secretaries_ of same. The Enquiries follow.

1. For _Arable_.

1. The several kinds of the soyls of _England_, being supposed to be, either Sandy, Gravelly, Stony, Clayie, Chalky, Light mould, Heathy, Marish, Boggy, Fenny, or Cold weeping Ground; information is desired, what kind of soyls your Country doth most abound with, and how each of them is prepared, when employed for _Arable_?

2. What _peculiar_ preparations are made use of to these Soyls for each kind of Grain; with what kind of Manure they are prepared; when, how, & in what quantity the Manure is laid on?

3. At what seasons and how often they are ploughed; what kind of Ploughs are used for several sorts of Ground?

4. How long the several Grounds are let lie fallow?

5. How, and for what productions, _Heathy_ Grounds may be improved? And who they are (if there be any in your Country) that have reduced _Heaths_ into profitable Lands?

6. What ground _Marle_ hath over head? How deep generally it lieth from the surface? What is the depth of the _Marle_ it self? What the colour of it? Upon what grounds it is used? {93} What time of the year it is to be laid on? How many loads to an Acre? What Grains _Marled_ Land will bear, and how many years together? How such _Marled_ Land is to be used afterwards, &c?

7. The kinds of Grain or Seed, usual in _England_, being supposed to be either Wheat, Miscelane, Rye, Barley, Oats, Pease, Beans, Fitches, Buck-wheat, Hemp, Flax, Rape; We desire to know, what sorts of Grains are sown in your Country, and how each of these is prepared for Sowing? Whether by _steeping_, and in what kind of Liquor? Or by mixing it, and with what?

8. There being many sorts of Wheat, as the White or Red Lammas, the bearded Kentish Wheat, the gray Wheat, the red or gray Pollard, the Ducks-bill Wheat, the red-eared-bearded Wheat, &c. And so of Oats, as the common Black, Blue, Naked, Bearded in _North-wales_: and the like of Barley, Pease, Beans, &c. The Enquiry is, which of these grow in your Country, and in what Soyl; and which of them thrive best there; and whether each of them require a peculiar Tillage; and how they differ in goodness?

9. What are the chief particulars observable in the choice of Seed-Corn, and all kinds of Grain; and what kinds of Grain are most proper to succeed one another?

10. What Quantity of each kind is sown upon the Statute-Acre? And in what season of the Moon and year 'tis sowed?

11. With what instruments they do Harrow, Clod and Rowl, and at what seasons?

12. How much an Acre of good Corn, well ordered, generally useth to yield, in very good, in less good, & in the worst years?

13. Some of the common Accidents and Diseases befalling Corn in the growth of it, being Meldew, Blasting, Smut; what are conceived to be the Causes thereof, & what the Remedies?

14. There being other Annoyances, the growing Corn is exposed to, as Weeds, Worms, Flies, Birds, Mice, Moles, &c. how they are remedied?

15. Upon what occasions they use to cut the young Corn in the Blade, or to seed it; and what are the benefits thereof?

16. What are the seasons and waies of Reaping and Ordering each sort of Grain, before it be carried off the Ground? {94}

17. What are the several waies of preserving Grain in the Straw, within and without doors, from all kind of Annoyance, as Mice, Heating, Rain, &c?

18. What are the waies of separating the several sorts of Grain from the Straw, and of dressing them?

19. What are the waies of preserving any stores of separated Grain, from the Annoyances they are obnoxious to?

2. For _Meadows_.

1. How the above mentioned sorts of Soyl are prepared, when they are used for Pasture or Meadow?

2. The common Annoyances of these Pasture or Meadow Grounds being supposed to be, either Weeds, Moss, Sour-grass, Heath, Fern, Bushes, Bryars, Brambles, Broom, Rushes, Sedges, Gorse or Furzes: what are the Remedies thereof?

3. What are the best waies of Drayning Marshes, Boggs, Fenns, &c?

4. What are the several kinds of Grass, and which are counted the best?

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.

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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}

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_Numb._ 6.

PHILOSOPHICAL _TRANSACTIONS._

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Monday, _November_ 6. 1665.

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The Contents.