Part 17
The other _Epistle_, contains some Ingenious Observations, touching the way, by which the Chicken, yet in the shell, is nourish't, _videl._ not by the conveyance of the _Yolk_ into the _Liver_ by the _Umbilical_ vessels, nor into the _Stomack_ by the {178} _Mouth_, but by a Peculiar _ductus_, by him described, into the _Intestins_, where, according to his alledged experience, it is turn'd into _Chyle_: which he affirms, he hath discover'd, by taking an Egge from under a brooding Hen, when the Chicken was ready to break forth, and when he was looking for the passage of the _Yolk_, out of its integument into the _Liver_, by finding it pass thence into the _Intestins_, as he found the _White_ to do by the _mouth_ into the _belly_. Whence he inclines to infer, that, since every _fætus_ takes in at the mouth the liquor it swims in, and since the Chicken receives the _white_ of the Egge into the _mouth_, and the _yolk_ by the new discover'd _ductus_ into the _Intestins_, it cannot be certainly made out, that a _part_ of the _Chyle_ is conveyed into the _Liver_, before it passes into the _Heart_; Exhorting in the mean time the _Patrons_ of the _Liver_, that they would produce Experiments to evince their Ratiocinations.
III. _Regneri de Graeff, de Succi Pancreatici Natura & usu, Exercitatio Anatomico-medica._ In this Tract, the Industrious Author, after he has enumerated the various opinions of _Anatomists_ concerning the use of that kernelly substance; call'd _Pancreas_ (in _English_, the _Sweetbred_) endeavours to prove experimentally that this _Glandule_ was not form'd by Nature, to separate any _Excrementitious_ humor, and to convey it into the _Intestins_, but to prepare an _useful_ juyce out of the Blood and Animal Spirits, of a somewhat _Acid_ taste, and to carry the same into the Gut, call'd _Duodenum_, to be there mixt with the Aliment, that has been in some degree already fermented in the Stomack, for a further fermentation, to be produced by the conflux of the said acid _Pancreatick_ juyce and some _Bilious_ matter, abounding with volatile Salt, causing an Effervescence; which done, that juyce is, together with the purer part of the nourishment, carried into the _Milkie_ veins, thence into the _common receptacle_ of the _Chyle_ and _Lymphatick liquor_, and so through the _ductus Thoracicus_ into the right Ventricle of the Heart.
This Assertion, first advanced (saith the _Author_) partly by _Gothofredus Mobius_, partly by _Franciscus de le Boe Sylvius_, he undertakes to prove by experiments; which, indeed, he has with much industry, tried upon several Animals, to the end that he might collect some of this juyce of the _Pancreas_ for a taste: which having at last obtained, and found it somewhat _acid_, he thereupon proceeds to deliver his opinion both of the _constitution_ and quantity of this _Succus_ in _healthy_ Animals, and the vices thereof, in the _unhealthy_: deriving most diseases _partly_ from its too great Acidity, or from its saltness, or harshness; _partly_ from its paucity or redundancy: but especially, endeavouring to reduce from thence, as all _intermittent Feavers_ (of all the _Phænomena_ whereof he ventures to assign the causes from this _Hypothesis_) so also the _Gout, Syncope's, Stranguries, Oppilations, Diarrhæas, Dysenteries, Hysterical_ and _Colick passions_, &c. All which he concludes with mentioning the waies and remedies to cure the manifold peccancy of this juyce by Evacuations and Alterations.
This seeming to be a _new_ as well as a _considerable_ discovery, it is hop'd, that others will by this intimation be invited to prosecute the same by further experiments, either to confirm what this Author has started, if true, or to rectifie it, if he be mistaken.
* * * * *
_NOTE._
In _Fig._ 1. of _Num._ 9 of these Tracts the Graver hath placed the bended _end_ of the _Springing Wire_ C F, above the _Wire-staple_ B, between it and the _Ring_ E, of the _Weight_ D; whereas _that_ end should have been so expressed, as to pass _under_ the _Wire-staple_, betwixt its two Wires, into the said _Ring_.
* * * * *
_London_, Printed for _John Martyn_, and _James Allestry_, Printers to the Royal Society. 1666.
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_Num._ 11.
PHILOSOPHICAL _TRANSACTIONS._
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_Munday_, _April._ 2. 1666.
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The Contents.
_A Confirmation of the former Account, touching the late _Earth-quake_ near _Oxford_, and the Concomitants thereof, by Mr. _Boyle_. Some Observations and Directions about the _Barometer_, communicated by the same Hand. General Heads for a _Natural History_ of a Country, small or great, proposed by the same. An Extract of a Letter, written from _Holland_, about _Preserving Ships from being Worm-eaten_. An Account of Mr. _Boyle's_ lately publish't Tract, entituled, _The Origine of Forms and Qualities_, illustrated by Considerations and Experiments._
* * * * *
_A Confirmation of the former Account touching the late _Earth-quake_ near _Oxford_, and the Concomitants thereof._
This Confirmation came from the Noble Mr. _Boyle_ in a Letter, to the _Publisher_, as followeth:
[Sidenote: * _See_ Num. 10. Phil. Transactions p. 166-171; _at the time of the printing whereof, this Relation of Mr._ Boyle _was not yet come to hand._]
As to the _Earth-quake_, your curiosity about it makes me sorry, that, though I think, I was the first, that gave notice of it to several of the _Virtuosi_ at _Oxford_; yet the Account, that I can send you about it, is not so much of the _Thing_ it self, {180} as of the _Changes of the Air_, that accompanied it. To inform you of which, I must relate to you, that riding one Evening somewhat late betwixt _Oxford_ & a Lodging, I have at a place, 4 miles distant from it, the weather having been for a pretty while Frosty, I found the Wind so very cold, that it reduced me to put on some defensives against it, which I never since, nor, if I forget not, all the foregoing part of the Winter was obliged to make use off. My unwillingness to stay long in so troublesome a Cold, which continued very piercing, till I had got half way home-ward, did put me upon galloping at no very lasy rate; and yet, before I could get to my Lodgings, I found the Wind turned, and felt the Rain falling; which, considering the shortness of the time, and that this Accident was preceded by a setled Frost, was surprising to me, and induced me to mention it at my return, as one of the greatest and suddainest Alterations of Air, I have ever observ'd: And what changes I found, have been taken notice of in the _Gravity_ of the _Atmosphere_ at the same time by that Accurate Observer * Dr. _Wallis_, who then suspected nothing of what follow'd; as I suppose, he has ere this told you himself. Soon after, by my guess about an hour, there was a manifest _Trembling_ in the House where I was (which stands high in comparison of _Oxford_.) But it was not there so great, but that I, who chanced to have my thoughts busied enough on other matters, than the weather, should not have taken notice of it as an _Earth-quake_, but have imputed it to some other cause, if one, that you know, whose hand is employed in this Paper, and begins to be a diligent observer of Natural things, had not advertis'd me of it; as being taken notice of by him and the rest of the people of the House. And soon after there hapned a brisk Storm: whereupon I sent to make inquiry at a place call'd _Brill_, which standing upon a much higher ground, I supposed might be more obnoxious to the effects of the _Earth-quake_ (of which, had I had any suspition of it, my having formerly been in one neer the _Lacus Lemanus_, would have made me the more observant:) But the person I sent to, being {181} disabled by sickness to come over to me (which he promis'd to do, as soon as he could) writ me only a _Ticket_, whose substance was, That the _Earth-quake_ was there much more considerable, than where I lodged, and that at a Gentlemans house, whom he names (the most noted Person, it seems, of the neighbourhood) the House trembled very much, so as to make the Stones manifestly to move to and fro in the Parlour, to the great amazement and fright of all the Family. The Hill, whereon this _Brill_ stands, I have observ'd to be very well stor'd with Mineral substances of several kinds; and from thence I have been inform'd by others, that this Earth-quake reach'd a good many miles; but I have neither leasure, nor inclination to entertain you with uncertain reports of the Extent and other Circumstances, especially since a little further time an inquiry may enable me to give you a better warranted account.
* * * * *
_Some Observations and Directions about the _Barometer_, communicated by the same Hand, to the _Author_ of this _Tract_._
These shall be set down, as they came to hand in another Letter; _videl._
[Sidenote: * _See _Num. 9_. of the _Phil. Transact_. p. 159 the last _paragraph_._]
As to the _Barometrical_ Observations (as for brevities sake I use to call them) though you * guessed aright, that, when I saw those of the Learned and Inquisitive Dr. _Beale_, I had not Mine by me, (for I left them, some years since, in the hands of a _Virtuoso_, nor have I now the leasure to look after those Papers;) yet since by the Communication, you have made publick, 'tis probable, that divers Ingenious men will be invited to attempt the like Observations, I shall (notwithstanding my present haste) mention to you some particulars, which perhaps will not appear unseasonable, that came into my mind upon the reading of what you have presented the Curious.
[Sidenote: * _Some whereof have been since invited by the _Publisher_, to give their concurrence herein_.]
When I did, as you may remember, some years agoe, publickly express and desire that some Inquisitive men would {182} make _Baroscopical_ Observations in several parts of _England_ (if not in forrain Countries * also;) and to assist them, to do so, presented some of my Friends with the necessary Instruments: The declared reason of my desiring this Correspondence was (among other things) that by comparing Notes, _the Extent of the Atmospherical Changes, in point of Weight, might be the better estimated_. But not having hitherto received some account, that I hoped for, I shall now, without staying for them, intimate thus much to you: That it will be very convenient, that the Observers take notice not only of the _day_, but as near as they can, of the _Houre_ wherein the height of the _Mercurial Cylinder_ is observ'd: For I have often found, that within less than the compass of one day, or perhaps half a day, the Altitude of it has so considerably vary'd, as to make it in many cases difficult, to conclude any thing certainly from Observations, that agree but in the day.
It will be requisite also, that the Observers give notice of the _Scituation of the place_, where their _Barometers_ stand, not only, because it will assist men to Judge, whether the Instruments were duely perfected, but principally, because, that though the _Baroscope_ be good (nay, because it is so) the Observations will much disagree, even when the _Atmosphere_ is in the same state, as to Weight, if one of the Instruments stand in a considerably higher part of the Countrey, than the other.
To confirm _both_ the foregoing admonitions, I must now inform you, that, having in these parts two Lodgings, the one at _Oxford_, which you know stands in a bottom by the _Thames_ side, and the other at a place four miles thence, seated upon a moderate _Hill_, I found, by comparing two _Baroscopes_, that I made, the one at _Oxford_, the other at _Stanton St. Johns_, that, though the former be very good, and have been noted for such, during some years, and the latter was very carefully fill'd; yet by reason, that in the _Higher_ place, the incumbent part of the _Atmosphere_ must be lighter, than in the _Lower_, there is almost {183} always between 2 and 3 Eights of an Inch difference betwixt them: And having sometimes order'd my servants to take notice of the Disparity, and divers times carefully observ'd it my self, when I pass'd to and fro between _Oxford_ and _Stanton_, I generally found, that the _Oxford Barometer_ and the _other_, did, as it were by common consent, rise and fall together so, as that in the former the _Mercury_ was usually 3/8 higher, than in the latter.
Which Observations may teach us, that the Subterraneous steams, which ascend into the Air, or the other Causes of the varying Weight of the _Atmosphere_, do, many times, and at least in some places, uniformly enough affect the Air to a greater height, than, till I had made this tryall, I durst conclude.
But, as most of the _Barometricall_ observations are subject to exception, so I found the formerly mentioned to be. For (to omit lesser variations) riding one evening from _Oxford_ to _Stanton_, and having, before I took horse, look't on the _Baroscope_ in the former of these 2. places, I was somewhat surprised, to find at my comming to the latter, that in places no farther distant, and notwithstanding the shortness of the time (which was but an hour and a half, if so much) the _Barometer_ at _Stanton_ was short of its usual distance from the _other_, near a quarter of an _Inch_, though, the weather being fair and calm, there appear'd nothing of manifest change in the Air, to which I could adscribe so great a Variation; and though also, since that time, the _Mercury_ in the two Instruments hath, for the most part, proceeded to rise and fall as before.
And these being the only Observations, I have yet met with, wherein _Baroscopes_, at some _Distance of Place_, and _Difference of Height_, have been compar'd (though I cannot now send you the Reflexions, I have else where made upon them;) as the opportunity I had to make them my self, rendred them not unpleasant to me, so perhaps the Novelty will keep them from being unwelcome to you. And I confess, I have had some flying suspicions, that the odd _Phænomena_ of the _Baroscope_, which have hitherto more pos'd, than instructed us, may in time, if a {184} competent number of Correspondents do diligently prosecute the Inquiries (especially with _Baroscopes_, accommodated with Mr. _Hooks_ ingenious additions) make men some _Luciferous_ discoveries, that possibly we do not yet dream off.
[Sidenote: * _This hath been inquired into, and is found, that several Accurate and Curious persons (as the Most Noble _President of the Royal Society_, the Lord Viscount _Brounker_, _Doctor Beale_, _Mr. Hook_ _&c._) have observed the same._]
I know not, whether it will be worth while to add, that since I was oblig'd to leave _London_, I have been put upon so many lesser removes, that I have not been able to make _Baroscopical_ Observations with such a constancy, as I have wished, but, as far as I remember, the _Quick-silver_ has been for the most part, so high, as to invite me to take notice of it; and to desire you to do me the favour to inquire among your correspondents whether they have observ'd the same thing. * For, if they have, this lasting (though not uninterrupted) Altitude of the _Quick-silver_, happening, when the Seasons of the year have been extraordinary dry (so much as to become a grievance, and to dry up, as one of the late _Gazettes_ informs us, some springs near _Waymouth_, that used to run constantly) it may be worth inquiry, whether these obstinate Droughts, may not be cleaving of the ground too deep, and making it also in some places more porous and as it were, spungy, give a more copious Vent, than is usual, to subterraneal steams, which adscending into the Air, increase the gravity of it. The inducements I have to propose this inquiry, I must not now stay to mention. But perhaps, if the Observation holds, it may prove not useless in reference to some Diseases.
[Sidenote: * _See Number 9. _Phil. Transact._ p. 157. 5. 8 & 9. where the Word, _Generally_, signifies no more, than _for the most part_._]
Perhaps it will be needless to put you in mind of directing those _Virtuosi_, that may desire your Instructions about _Baroscopes_, to set down in their Diarys not only the day of the month, and the hour of the day, when the _Mercuries_ height is taken, but (in a distinct _Columne_) the weather, especially the Winds, both as to the Quarters, whence they blow (though that be not always so easy nor necessary,) and as to the Violence or Remisness, wherewith they blow. For, though it be more difficult, {185} than one would think, to settle any general rule about the rising and falling of the _Quick-silver_; yet in these parts one of those, that seem to hold oftnest, is, * that when high winds blow, the _Mercury_ is the lower; and yet that it self does sometimes fail: For, this very day (_March_ 3.) though on that hill, where I am, the somewhat Westerly Winds have been blustering enough, yet ever since morning the _Quick-silver_ has been rising, and is now risen near 3/8 of an _Inch_.
I had thoughts to add something about another kind of _Baroscope_ (but inferiour to that in use) whereof I have given some intimation in one of the _Præliminaries_ to the _History of Cold_. But you have already too much of a letter, and my occasions, &c.
[Sidenote: * _Dr. _Beale_ concurs with this Observation, when he saith, in a late _Letter_ of _March 19_. to his Correspondent in _London_;_ By change of Weather and Wind, the _Mercury_ is sunk more than an Inch, since I wrote to you on _Munday_ last. _March_ 12. This last night, by Rain and South wind, 'tis sunk _half an Inch_.]
_So far that Letter._ Since which time, another from the same Noble Observer intimates, That, as for that cause of the height of the _Quick-silver_ in Droughts, which by him is suspected to be the elevation of steams from the _Crust_ or Superficial parts of the Earth, which by little and little may add to the Weight of the _Atmosphere_, being not, as in other seasons, carried down from time to time by the falling Rain, it agrees not ill with what he has had since occasion to observe. For, whereas about _March_ 12^{th}, at _Oxford_, The _Quick-silver_ was higher, than, for ought he knew, had been yet observ'd in _England_, viz. above 5/16 above 30. _Inches_, upon the first considerable showers, that have interrupted our long Drought, as he affirms, he foretold divers hours before that the _Quick-silver_ would be very low, (a blustering Wind concurring with the Rain) so he found it at _Stanton_ to fall 3/8 beneath 29. _Inches_.*
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_General Heads for a _Natural History of a Countrey_, Great or Small, imparted likewise by Mr. _Boyle_._
It having been already intimated (_Num. 8 of Phil. Transact._ p. 140. 141.) that divers _Philosophers_ aime, among other things, at the Composing of a good Natural History, to superstruct, in time, a _Solid_ and _Useful_ Philosophy upon; and it being of no slight importance, to be furnisht with pertinent Heads, for the direction of Inquirers; that lately named _Benefactour to Experimental Philosophy_, has been pleased to communicate, for the ends abovesaid, the following _Articles_, which (as himself did signifie) belong to one of his _Essays_ of the unpublisht part of the _Usefulness of Nat. and Experimen. Philosophy_.
But first he premises, that what follows, is design'd only to point at the more _General_ heads of Inquiry, which the proposer ignores not to be Divers of them very comprehensive, in so much, that about some of the _Subordinate_ subjects, perhaps too, not the most fertile, he has drawn up _Articles_ of inquisition about particulars, that take up near as much room, as what is here to be deliver'd of this matter.
The _Heads_ themselves follow;
The things, to be observ'd in such a History, may be variously (and almost at pleasure) divided: As, into _Supraterraneous, Terrestrial_, and _Subterraneous_; and otherwise: but we will at present distinguish them into those things, that respect the _Heavens_, or concern the _Air_, the _Water_, or the _Earth_.
1. To the _First_ sort of Particulars, belong the Longitude and Latitude of the Place (that being of moment in reference to the observations about the Air &c.) and consequently the length of the longest and shortest days and nights, the Climate, parallels &c. what fixt starrs are and what not seen there: What Constellations 'tis said to be subject to? Whereunto may be added other Astrological matters, if they be thought worth mentioning. {187}
2. About the _Air_ may be observ'd, its Temperature, as to the first four Qualities (commonly so call'd) and the Measures of them: its Weight, Clearness, Refractive power: its Sublety or Grossness: its abounding with, or wanting an _Esurine_ Salt: its variations according to the seasons of the year, and the times of the day; What duration the several kinds of Weather usually have: What _Meteors_ it is most or least wont to breed; and in what order they are generated; and how long they usually last: Especially, what Winds it is subject to; whether any of them be stated and ordinary, &c. What diseases are Epidemical, that are supposed to flow from the Air: What other diseases, wherein _that_ hath a share, the Countrey is subject to; the Plague and Contagious sicknesses: What is the usual salubrity or insalubrity of the Air; and with what Constitutions it agrees better or worse, than others.
3. About the _Water_, may be observ'd, the Sea, its Depth, degree of Saltness, Tydes, Currents, &c. _Next_, Rivers, their Bigness, Length, Course, Inundations, Goodness, Levity (or their Contraries) of Waters, &c. _Then_, Lakes, Ponds, Springs, and especially Mineral waters, their Kinds, Qualities, Vertues, and how examined. To the _Waters_ belong also _Fishes_, what kinds of them (whether Salt or Fresh-water fish) are to be found in the Country; their Store, Bigness, Goodness, Seasons, Haunts, Peculiarities of any kind, and the wayes of taking them, especially those that are not purely _Mechanical_.
4. In the _Earth_, may be observed,
1. _It self._
2. Its _Inhabitants_, and its _Productions_, and these _External_, and _Internal_.
_First_, in the Earth _it self_, may be observ'd, its dimensions, scituation, East, West, North, and South: its Figure, its Plains, and Valleys, and their Extent; its Hills and Mountains, and the height of the tallest, both in reference to the neighbouring Valleys or Plains, and in reference to the Level of the Sea: As {188} also, whether the Mountains lye scattered, or in ridges, and whether those run North and South, or East and West, &c. What Promontories, fiery or smoaking Hills, &c. the Country has, or hath not: Whether the Country be coherent, or much broken into Ilands. What the Magnetical Declination is in several places, and the Variations of that Declination in the same place (and, if either of those be very considerable, then, what circumstances may assist one to guess at the Reason as Subterraneal fires, the Vicinity of Iron-mines, &c.) what the Nature of the Soyle is, whether Clays, Sandy, &c. or good Mould; and what Grains, Fruits, and other Vegetables, do the most naturally agree with it: As also, by what particular Arts and Industries the Inhabitants improve the Advantages, and remedy the Inconveniences of their Soyl: What hidden qualities the Soyl may have (as that of _Ireland_, against Venemous Beasts, &c.)