Part 2
There was, not long since, sent hither out of _Germany_ from an inquisitive Physician, a List of several _Minerals_ and _Earths_ of that Country, and of _Hungary_, together with a _Specimen_ of each of them: among which there was a kind of _Lead-Ore_ which is more considerable than all the rest, because of its singular use for _Essays_ upon the _Coppell_, seeing that there is not any other _Mettal_ mixed with it. 'Tis found in the _Upper Palatinate_, at a place called _Freyung_, and there are two sorts of it, whereof one is a kind of Crystalline Stone, and almost all good Lead; the other not so rich, and more farinaceous. By the information, coming along with it, they are fetcht, not from under the ground, but, the Mines of that place having lain long neglected, by reason of the Wars of _Germany_ and the increase of Waters, the people, living {11} there-about take it from what these Forefathers had thrown away, and had lain long in the open Air. The use above mentioned being considerable, the person, who sent it, hath been intreated, to inform what quantities may be had of it, if there should be occasion to send for some.
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_Of an Hungarian Bolus, of the same Effect with the Bolus Armenus._
The same person gave notice also, that, besides the _Bolus Armenus_, and the _Terra Silesiaca_, there is an Earth to be found in _Hungary_ about the River _Tockay_, thence called _Bolus Tockaviensis_, having as good effects in _Physick_, as either of the former two, and commended by experience in those parts, as much as it is by _Sennertus_ out of _Crato_, for its goodness.
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_Of the New _American_ Whale-fishing about the Bermudas._
Here follows a Relation, somewhat more divertising, than the precedent Accounts, which is about the new _Whale fishing_ in the _West-Indies_ about the _Bermudas_, as it was delivered by an understanding and hardy Sea-man, who affirmed he had been at the killing work himself. His account, as far as remembred, was this; that though hitherto all Attempts of mastering the Whales of those Seas had been unsuccesful, by reason of the extraordinary fierceness and swiftness of these monstrous Animals; yet the enterprise being lately renewed, and such persons chosen and sent thither for the work, as were resolved not to be baffled by a Sea-monster, they did prosper so far in this undertaking, that, having been out at Sea, near the said Isle of _Bermudas_, seventeen times, and fastned their Weapons a dozen times, they killed in these expeditions 2 old Female-Whales, and 3 Cubs, whereof one of the old ones, from the head to the extremity of the Tayl, was 88. Foot in length, by measure; its Tayl being 23. Foot broad, the swimming Finn 26. Foot long, and the Gills three Foot long: having great bends underneath from the Nose to the Navil; upon her after-part, a Finn on the back; being within {12} paved (this was the plain Sea-man's phrase) with fat, like the Cawl of a Hog.
The other old one, he said, was some 60. Foot long. Of the Cubs, one was 33. the other two, much about 25 or 26. Foot long.
The shape of the Fish, he said, was very sharp behind, like the ridge of a house; the head pretty bluff, and full of bumps on both sides; the back perfectly black, and the belly white.
Their celerity and force he affirmed to be wonderful, insomuch that one of those Creatures, which he struck himself, towed the boat wherein he was, after him, for the space of six or seven Leagues, in ¾ of an hours time. Being wounded, he saith, they make a hideous roaring, at which, all of that kind that are within hearing, come towards that place, where the Animal is, yet without striking, or doing any harm to the wary.
He added, that they struck one of a prodigious bigness, and by guess of above 100 foot long. He is of opinion, that this Fish comes nearest to that sort of Whales, which they call the _Jubartes_; they are without teeth, and longer than the _Greenland_-Whales, but not so thick.
He said further, that they fed much upon Grass, growing at the bottom of the Sea; which, he affirmed, was seen by cutting up the great Bag of Maw, wherein he had found in one of them about two or three Hogsheads of a greenish grassy matter.
As to the quantity and nature of the Oyl which they yield, he thought, that the largest sort of these Whales might afford seven or eight Tuns if well husbanded, although they had lost much this first time, for want of a good Cooper; having brought home but eleven Tuns. The Cubbs, by his relation, do yield but little, and that is but a kind of a Jelly. That which the old ones render, doth candy like Porks Grease, yet burneth very well. He observed, that the Oyl of the Blubber is as clear and fair as any Whey: but that which is boyled out of the Lean, interlarded, becomes as hard as Tallow, spattering in the burning and that which is made of the Cawl, resembleth Hoggs grease.
One, but scarce credible, quality of this Oyl, he affirms to be, that though it be boiling, yet one may run ones hand into it without scalding; to which he adds, that it hath a very healing {13} Vertue for cuttings, lameness, &c., the part affected being anointed therewith. One thing more he related, not to be omitted, which is, that having told, that the time of catching these Fishes was from the beginning of _March_, to the end of _May_, after which time they appeared no more in that part of the Sea: he did, when asked, whither they then retired, give this Answer, That it was thought, they went into the Weed-beds of the Gulf of _Florida_, it having been observed, that upon their Fins and Tails they have store of Clams or Barnacles, upon which, he said, Rock-weed or Sea-tangle did grow a hand long; many of them having been taken of them, of the bigness of great Oyster-shels, and hung upon the Governour of _Bermudas_ his Pales.
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_A Narrative concerning the success of Pendulum-Watches at Sea for the Longitudes._
The Relation lately made by Major _Holmes_, concerning the success of the _Pendulum-Watches_ at Sea (two whereof were committed to his Care and Observation in his last voyage to _Guiny_ by some of our Eminent _Virtuosi_, and Grand Promoters of Navigation) is as followeth;
The said _Major_ having left that Coast, and being come to the Isle of St. _Thomas_ under the _Line_ accompanied with four Vessels, having there adjusted his Watches, put to Sea, and sailed Westward, seven or eight hundred Leagues, without changing his course; after which, finding the Wind favourable, he steered towards the Coast of _Africk_, North-North-East. But having sailed upon that _Line_ a matter of two or three hundred Leagues, the Masters of the other Ships, under his Conduct, apprehending that they should want Water, before they could reach that Coast, did propose to him to steer their Course to the _Barbadoes_, to supply themselves with Water there. Whereupon the said Major, having called the Master and Pilots together, and caused them to produce their Journals and Calculations, it was found, that those Pilots did differ in their reckonings from that of the Major, one of them eighty Leagues, another about an hundred, and the third, more; but the Major judging by his _Pendulum-Watches_, that they were only some thirty Leagues distant from {14} the Isle of _Fuego_, which is one of the Isles of _Cape Verde_, and that they might reach it next day, and having a great confidence in the said Watches, resolved to steer their Course thither, and having given order so to do, they got the very next day about Noon a sight of the said Isle of _Fuego_, finding themselves to sail directly upon it, and so arrived at it that Afternoon, as he had said. These Watches having been first Invented by the Excellent Monsieur _Christian Hugens_ of _Zulichem_, and fitted to go at Sea, by the Right Honourable, the Earl of _Kincardin_, both Fellows of the _Royal Society_, are now brought by a New addition to a wonderful perfection. The said Monsieur _Hugens_, having been informed of the success of the Experiment, made by _Major Holmes_, wrought to a friend at _Paris_ a Letter to this effect;
Major _Holmes_ at his return, hath made a relation concerning the usefulness of _Pendulums_, which surpasseth my expectation: I did not imagine that the Watches of this first Structure would succeed so well, and I had reserved my main hopes for the New ones. But seeing that those have already served so succesfully, and that the other are yet more just and exact, I have the more reason to believe, that the Invention of _Longitudes_ will come to its perfection. In the mean time I shall tell you, that the _States_ did receive my Proposition, when I desired of them a Patent for these new Watches, and the recompense set a-part for the invention in case of success; and that without any difficulty they have granted my request, commanding me to bring one of these Watches into their Assembly, to explicate unto them the Invention, and the application thereof to the _Longitudes_; which I have done to their contentment. I have this week published, that the said Watches shall be exposed to sale, together with an Information necessary to use them at Sea: and thus I have broken the Ice. The same Objection, that hath been made in your parts against the exactness of these _Pendulums_, hath also been made here; to wit, that though they should agree together, they might fail both of them, by reason that the Air at one time might be thicker, than at another. But I have answered, that this difference, if there be any, will not be at all perceived in the _Penduls_, seeing that the continuall Observations, made in Winter from day to day, until Summer, have shewed me that {15} they have alwaies agreed with the Sun. As to the Printing of the _Figure_ of my New Watch, I shall defer that yet a while: but it shall in time appear with all the Demonstrations thereof, together with a _Treatise_ of _Pendulums_, written by me some daies since, which is of a very subtile Speculation.
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_The Character, lately published beyond the Seas, of an Eminent person, not long since dead at _Tholouse_, where he was a Councellor of Parliament._
It is the deservedly famous _Mounsieur de Fermat_, who was, (saith the Author of the Letter) one of the most Excellent Men of this Age, a _Genius_ so universal, and of so vast an extent, that if very knowing and learned Men had not given testimony of his extraordinary merit, what with truth can be said of him, would hardly be believed. He entertained a constant correspondence with many of the most Illustrious Mathematicians of _Europe_, and did excel in all the parts of Mathematical Science: a Testimony whereof he hath left behind him in the following Books.
A Method for the Quadrature of _Parabola's_ of all degrees.
A Book _De Maximis & Minimis_, which serveth not only for the determination of Problems of _Plains_ and _Solids_, but also for the invention of _Tangents_ and _Curve Lines_, and of the _Centres_ of Gravity in Solids; and likewise for Numerical Questions.
An Introduction to the Doctrine of _Plains_ and _Solids_, which is an _Analytical_ Treatise, concerning the solution of _Plains_ and _Solids_, which has been seen (as the Advertiser affirms) before Monsieur _Des Cartes_ had publish'd any thing upon this Subject.
A Treatise _De Contactibus Sphæricis_, where he hath demonstrated in _Solids_, what Mr. _Viet_, Master of Requests, had but demonstrated in _Plains_.
Another Treatise, wherein he establisheth and demonstrateth the two Books of _Apollonius Pergæus_, of _Plains_.
And a General Method for the dimension of _Curve Lines_, &c. Besides, having a perfect knowledge in Antiquity, he was consulted from all parts upon the difficulties that did emerg therein: he hath explained abundance of obscure places, that are {16} found in the Antients. There have been lately printed some of his Observations upon _Athenæus_; and he that hath interpreted _Benedetto Castelli_, of the Measure of running waters, hath thence inserted in his Work a very handsome one upon an Epistle of _Synesius_, which was so difficult, that the Jesuit _Petavius_, who hath commented upon this Author, acknowledges, that he could not understand it.
He hath also made many Observations upon _Theon of Smyrne_, and upon other Antient Authors: but most part of them are not found but scattered in his Epistles, because he did not write much upon these kinds of Subjects, but to satisfie the curiosity of his friends.
All these Mathematical Works, and all these curious searches in Antiquity, did not hinder this great _Virtuoso_ from discharging the duties of his place with much assiduity, and with so much ability, that he hath had the reputation of one of the greatest _Civilians_ of his Age.
But that, which is most of all surprizing to many, is, that with all that strength of understanding, which was requisite to make good these rare qualities, lately mentioned, he had so polite and delicate parts, that he composed _Latin_, _French_, and _Spanish_ Verses with the same elegancy, as if he had lived in the time of _Augustus_, and passed the greatest part of his life at the Courts of _France_ and _Spain_.
More particulars will perhaps be mention'd of the Works of this Rare person, when all things, that he hath publish'd, shall be recovered, and when liberty shall be obtained of his Worthy Son, to impart unto the World the rest of his Writings, hitherto unpublished.
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_LONDON,_
Printed with Licence, By _John Martyn_, and _James Allestry_, Printers to the _Royal-Society_.
{17}
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_Num._ 2.
PHILOSOPHICAL _TRANSACTIONS._
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_Munday_, _April_ 3. 1665.
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The Contents.
_Extract of a Letter written from _Rome_, concerning the late _Comet_, and a _New_ one. Extract of another Letter from _Paris_, containing some Reflections on the precedent _Roman_ Letter. An Observation concerning some particulars, further considerable in the _Monster_, that was Mention'd in the first Papers of these _Philosophical Transactions_. Extract of a Letter written from _Venice_, concerning the Mines of _Mercury_ in Friuly. Some Observations, made in the ordering of _Silk-worms_. An Account of Mr. _Hooks Micrographia_, or the Physiological descriptions of _Minute Bodies_, made by _Magnifying Glasses_._
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_Extract of a Letter, lately written from _Rome_, touching the late Comet, and a New one._
I Cannot enough wonder at the strange agreement of the thoughts of that acute French Gentleman, Monsieur _Auzout_, in the _Hypothesis_ of the Comets motion, with mine; and particularly, at that of the _Tables_. I have with the same method, whereby I find the motion of this Comet, easily found the Principle of that Author's _Ephemerides_, which he then thought not fit to declare; and 'tis this, that this Comet moves about the _Great Dog_, in so great a Circle, that that portion, which is {18} described, is exceeding small in respect of the whole circumference thereof, and hardly distinguishable by us from a streight line.
Concerning the New Comet you mention, I saw it on the 11. of _February_, about the 24. deg. of _Aries_, with a Northern latitude of 24. deg. 40. min. The cloudy weather hath not yet permitted me to see it in _Andromeda_, as others affirm to have done.
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_Extract of a Letter, written from _Paris_, containing some Reflections on part of the precedent _Roman_ Letter._
As to the _Hypothesis_ of _Georg. Domenico Cassini_, touching the motion of the _Comet_ about the _Great Dog_ in a Circle, whose Centre is in a streight line drawn from the Earth through the said Star, I believe it will shortly be publish'd in print, as a thought I lighted upon in discoursing with one of my Friends, who did maintain, that it turned about a Centre, because that its _Perigee_ had been over against the _Great Dog_, as I had noted in my _Ephemerides_. This particular I did long since declare to many of my acquaintance, whereof some or other will certainly do me that right, as to let the world know it by the Press. I have added an Observation, which I find not, that Signior _Cassini_ hath made, _viz._ that there was ground to think, that the _Comet_ of 1652. was the same with the present, seeing that besides the parity of the swiftness of its motion, the _Perigee_ thereof was also over against the _Great Dog_, if the Observations extant thereof, deceive not. But, to make it out, what ground I had for these thoughts, I said, that if they were true, the Comet must needs acomplish its revolution from 10. to 12. years, or thereabout. But, seeing it appears not by History, that a Comet hath been seen at those determinate distances of time, nor that over against the _Perigee_ of all the other Comets, whereof particular observations are recorded, are alwaies found Stars of the first Magnitude, or such others, as are very notable, besides other reasons, that might be alledged, I shall not pursue this speculation; but rather {19} suggest what I have taken notice of in my reflexions upon former Comets, which is, that more of them enter inter our Systeme by the sign of _Libra_ and about _Spica virginis_, than by all the other parts of the Heavens. For, both the present Comet, and many others registred in History, have entred that way, and consequently passed out of it by the sign _Aries_, by which also many have entred.
I did found my _Hypothesis_ upon three Observations only, _viz._ those of the 22, 26, and 31. of _December_. Nor have I done, as some have fancied of me, who having been able to observe the Comet, the 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31. of _December_, and to see the diminution of its motion, have judged, that I had only determined that diminution for the time to come, conform to the augmentation thereof in time passed until the 29. of _December_. For _January_ 1. (on which day I composed my _Ephemerides_) I knew not (nor any person here) that the motion of the Comet did diminish; but on the contrary, most men believed, it was not the same Comet. But Signior _Cassini_ knows very well, that that was not necessary, seeing that two portions of a _Tangent_ being given, and the _Angles_ answering thereunto, 'tis easie to find the position and magnitude of its Circle. The reason, which I think the true one, of the diminution of its Motion in Longitude, and of its Retrogradation, by me conjectured in my _Ephemerides_, I began to be assured of, _Febr._ 10. For until the sixth, the Comet had alwaies advanced, as Signior _Cassini_ also hath very well noted: but after that day, I found that it returned in augmenting alwaies its Latitude. And I have constantly observed it, until _March_ 8. between many Stars, which must be the same with these mentioned by _Cassini_, whereof the number was so great, that I think, I saw of them _March_ 6. with one _Aperture_ of my Glass, more than 40. or 50. and especially, above the head of _Aries_; but I did not particularly note the scituation of more than 12. or 15; amongst which I have observed the position of the Comet since _January_ 28. every day, when the weather did permit, _viz._ _January_ 29. _February_ 3, 6, 10, 17, 19, 24, 26, 27. and _March_ 6, {20} 7, 8. I left it on _March_ 8. at the 18. of the Horn of _Aries_, almost in the same latitude: and I am apt to believe, it will be Eclipsed, which I wish I may be able to observe this evening, if it be not already passed.
If Signior _Cassini_ hath observed it on those daies that I have, he will be glad to find the conformity of our Observations. I shall only add, that on _February_ 3. we were surprized, to see the Comet again much brighter than ordinary, and with a considerable Train. Some did believe, that it approach'd again to us. But having beheld it with a _Telescope_, I soon said, that it was joyned with two small Stars, whereof one was pretty bright, which I had already seen, on _February_ 28. and 29. And this conjunction gave the _Comet_ that brightness, as it happens to most of the Stars of the fifth and sixth magnitude, where 2. or 3. or more are conjoyned, which perhaps would shew but faintly single, though by reason of their proximity to one another, they appear but one Star. Hence it was, that I assured my friends here, that the following daies we should no more see it so bright, because I knew, that there were none such small bright Stars in the way, which by my former observations I conjectured it was to move.
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_An Observation imparted to the Noble Mr. _Boyle_, by Mr. _David Thomas_, touching some particulars further considerable in the Monster mentioned in the first Papers of these _Philosophical Transactions_._
Upon the strictest inquiry, I find by one, that saw the Monstrous Calf and stone, within four hours after it was cut out of the Cows belly, that the Breast of the Calf was not stony (as I wrote) but that the skin of the Breast and between the Legs and of the Neck (which parts lay on the smaller end of the stone) was very much thicker, than on any other part, and that the Feet of the Calf were so parted as to be like the Claws of a Dog. The stone I have since seen; it is bigger at one end {21} than the other; of no plain _Superficies_, but full of little cavities. The stone, when broken, is full of small peble stones of an Ovall figure: its colour is gray like free-stone, but intermixt with veins of yellow and black. A part of it I have begg'd of Dr. _Haughten_ for you, which I have sent to _Oxford_, whither a more exact account will be conveyed by the same person.
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_Extract of a Letter, lately written from _Venice_ by the Learned Doctor _Walter Pope_, to the Reverend Dean of _Rippon_, Doctor _John Wilkins_, concerning the Mines of Mercury in _Friuli_; and a way of producing _Wind_ by the fall of _Water_._