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* 1.1BY Air, I mean, that thin, Diaphanous, fluid Body in which we Breath, which en∣compasses the Terraqueous Globe, and is capable of Rarefaction and Condensation; so different from Aether or Vacuum, that it refracts the Rays of the Moon as well as other Remoter. Lumi∣naries.
* 1.2BY Air, I would not be thought to mean, such Artificial and Temporary Air as usually flows out of an Aeolipile, when one that is furnished with Water is exposed to a sufficient Heat, and then condenses into Water again; but com∣mon Air, which is Permanent, and continues in that Form; Which I conceive, is made up of three kinds of Particles. The first are Effluvia, from several substances belonging to the Ter∣raqueous Globe: The Second are the Magneti∣cal Steams of the Earth, and Sydereal Emanati∣ons: The Third are these Elastick and Springy Parts of the Air which are Permanently so.
As for the Structure of these Elastick Parts, they may be conceiv'd different as Mens contri∣vances devise to answer Particular Phaenomena: One may think them like the Spring of a Watch; others like a Fleece of compress'd Wool, endea∣vouring always to expand themselves; others, like Curl'd pieces of Wire, of different Lengths and Thickness, and diversified by being more or less Curl'd: All of which may be capable of being compressed and expanded again, by vir∣tue of their Native Structure, Heat, Girations and other Motions. I have likewise compar'd 'em to thin shavings of Wood, which are of different Sizes; and this comparison may in some Mea∣sure
Illustrate their Generation, there being no Art requisite to the production of such, nor curious Instruments; and yet their Curls are ve∣ry different and seemingly Casual; as also their springness depends on their convenient shape. And the Generation of Air may be further il∣lustrated, by observing, that these springy Chips may be made of the Parts of Beams and Blocks, not at all Elastical before. Which fa∣vours an Experiment I made, wherein, by the Action of a Menstuum upon a Mineral Body, a quantity of Fire was Generated, permanently Elastick.
But not to multiply Conjectures about the Structure of the Parts of the Air, I shall add, that, tho' their Elasticity seems to depend on their Structure; yet it may be encreased, by quickening their Motion by the Action of Fire; Besides, there may be several Elastick Parts in Air, whose Elasticity may rather depend on their Motion, than Figure, they being, there∣by enabled to strike against Bodies about them, and to keep them off. And not improbably in these warmer Climates, the parts of Temporary and Artificial Air may be put into such Motion, as may for the time keep it fluid; those parts of Matter being dispos'd to be kept in Motion.
* 1.3FOllibus lusoriis aerem pyulico ingerentes majo∣rem subinde at{que} majorem difficultatem per∣cipiunt; quo enim magis Aer conclusus naturali raritate recedere cogitur; etiam majore nisu resistit, ne{que} solum magis densari renuit, sed & se latiùs explicare molitur. Hinc didicimus & pneu∣matico fontes construere, qui Spiritu interno urgen∣te aquam in altum evibrant, & plumbeas Glan∣des fistulis ejaculari, non pulvere nitrato ignem concipiente, sed aere per vim densato ad antiquas dimensiones recuperandas erumpente. Quoniam ve∣rò ingesta jam in conceptaculum non exigua aeris copia difficilius comprimitur novâ aeris accessione; quam ut manus valeat trusillum recta impellere, id∣circò trusilli hastulam deformatam in helicem; & suae Matrici insertam, adhibere oper pretium erit, dum enim manubio agitante contorquetur Cochlea, sensim deprimitur Embolus, aerem{que} in∣gerit. Ne autem mora longiore opus sit perpetua versatione Manubrii, ita Cochleae Matrix externam vasis faciem contingat, ut illi adnecti, at{que} ab eo disjungi valeat: initio enim, quando adhuc levis est aeris modice compressi resistentia, lamella illa suo foramine interius claviculatim striato cohaerens
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hastulae emboli, si à vase disjuncta fuerit unà cum hastula movebitur: deinde verò, quando jam tru∣sillis aegrè impellitur, lamilla illa cum Vase connecta∣tur, & non nisi versato Manubrio adduci at{que} re∣duci Embolus poterit, id quod satis lentè perficie∣tur: Rem claritatis Gratia in fonte Pneumatico explicemus.
Sit vas A. B. ex materia Metallica, in cujus superiore parte labrum, ex quo perforamen A. im∣mittatur in vas aqua, ita tamen, ut non impleatur; aqua enim in vas modice inclinatum descendens, aerem expellet per Tubulum C. D. ubi satis Aquae immissum fuerit, occludatur foramen A. diligen∣tissime Cochleola congrùente & convoluto Epistomio E. Tubus D. C. sit Aeri impervius ad vasis latus statuatur modiolus cum embolo congruente H. I. & emboli hastula sit connexa cum mobili vasi an∣sa, H. O.
Porro hastula H. K. perforata sit, & continuo ductu us{que} ad emboli K. F. fundum pateat Aeri ingredienti via H. S. sed foramini S. adjecta sit Valvula, quae Aeri regressum obstruat. Similiter modioli fundo in I. Valvula exterius apposita ape∣riatur ingesto Aeri transitum praebens; sed Aeri intra vas compresso cum nusquam exitus pateat, Valvula ipsa modioli foramen I. occludit. Hastu∣lae verò H. K. exterior facies sit in helicem striata, & lamellae M. N. tanquam Matrici congruat, quae in M & N. Cochleolis adnecti queat exteriùs vasi, quasi esset ansae fulcrum.
Ʋbi immissum fuerit quantum satis est aquae, Cochleolis M & N. revolutis disjungatur Matrix
à vase: tum attractâ ansâ H. O. una cum Lamella M. N. attrahitur embotus K. S. & per apertum ductum H. S. ingreditur Aer, modiolum implens. Impulso deinde Embolo, Valvula ad S. clauditur, & Aer ex modiolo, per patentem Valvulam I. ingreditur in Vas; ex quo nequit exire, ne{que} aquam propellere, clauso scilicet Epistomio & foramine A. quapropter comprimitur, & densatur; ideo{que} attracto denuo Embolo K. S. inclusus vasi Aer se latius explicare connitens Val∣vulam L. F. valide applicat foramini modioli, sibi{que} exitum obstruit. Toties adducitur at{que} reducitur Embolus, & Aer ingeritur, quoad magna premendi difficultas percipiatur; ubi eò ventum fuerit, tunc Lamella M. N. iterum vasi adnectatur suis Cochleo∣sis; nec jam Embolus recta adduci queat; sed a∣reptum in O. manubrium versatur, & Embolus intra modiolum circumactus sensim attollitur, qui deinde revoluto in contrarium Manubrio deprimitur, & multa vi Aer in vase comprimitur. Laxato demum Epistomio E. compressus in vase Aer, aquam expri∣mit per Tubum C. D. primum quidem vehementius, subinde remissius, prout Aeris vis elastica sensim conquescit.
Hoc idem quod de Aere intra Vas comprimendo ad aquam evibrandum comminisci placuit, servatâ analogiâ, dicendum est de Aere, tum conatu manûs re∣ctâ trusillum impellentis, tum ope Cochleae similiter con∣formatae, intra conceptaculum comprimendo, ut ex fistula deinde multa vi emittatur plumbea Glans, ubi reseratus Aeri exitus illum subito dilatari per∣miserit. Quin & Pneumatica hujusmodi tormenta citra conceptaculum Aeris compressi construere non in∣utile accidat, si, quemadmodum nostrates pueri surcu∣los sambuceos fungosa medulla exhauriunt, & utra{que}
Tubuli extremitate papyraceis Globulis obstructa, al∣terum Globulum congruo Cylindro propellunt, at{que} inclusum Aerem densant, quoad Aeris vim elasti∣cam, & impellentis manûs Conatum, non ferens extremus alter Globulus edito scloppo expellatur; ita ferream fistulam longiorem paraveris, cujus alteri extremitati immittatur plumbea Glans, obducta pa∣pyro, aut simili Materia, ut exquisitè Tubi osculum implens, demum universam Aeris vim excipiat, al∣teram extremitatem aliquot Spiris ambiat cava Cochlea, quam impleat Cylindrus ferreus in con∣gruentem Cochleam deformatus; si enim hujusmodi Cylindrus, vis brevior fuerit, quam fistula, & apto Manubrio convolutus, in fistulam sensim immittatur, totum Aerem, quo fistula replebatur, ad exiguas spatii angustias adiget, ex quibus magna vi de∣mum, qua data porta, erumpens, ejacul abitur plum∣beum Globulum Casati Mechanicorum, Lib. 8. Cap. 5. p. 792. 793. &c.
* 1.4AIr being a body not only concern'd in agreat many Phenomena of Nature, but likewise so necessary to the Preservation of Animals; Is
thought it of no small use to thy whether it might be Artificially prepar'd and obtain'd from Bo∣dies which seem'd not at all to abound with Air; for could it be done, it would not only be considerable in helping to explain several Phae∣nomena of Nature, but to preserve Divers much longer under Water. To try therefore whe∣ther it might be effected, and whether that which seem'd to be Air, were truly so; I made use of the following Experiments, taking a durable Springiness or Elasticity as the Criterion, by which I should judge, whether the Air genera∣ted were Genuine or not.
* 1.8A Bubble of Air about the Size of a Pea, being left at the Top of a round Viol with a long narrow Neck, the Cavity of it being fill'd
with fine Oyl of Turpentine, and then inverted into a Viol fill'd with the same Liquor; Another Viol which had a Bubble in the Top, was fill'd with Alcohol of Wine, and inverted it into the the same Liquor. On the sixth Day the Bubble in the Oyl disappear'd, and on the seventh, that in the Spirit of Wine vanish'd.
IT is observ'd, that when Miners meet with running Waters under Ground, they are by those, supply'd with Air enough for Respiration; tho' it is observ'd, that standing Waters do not afford Air.
* 1.10THO' Dryness be a Quality which only de∣pends on this, viz. That the Pores inter∣cepted betwixt the stable Parts of a Body, are not fill'd with any visible Liquor; yet it hath a considerable Interest in the Changes of Bodies upon different Scores.
TO evince the Efficacy of the Air's Moi∣sture, we suspended a Quarter of a hun∣dred Weight by an Iron Ring at the End of a Rope, which was about 3 Foot and a half long, and 3/10 of an Inch in Diameter; and when the Weight had stretch'd the Rope for 2 or 3 Days, we plac'd a Board under it, so that it might just rest upon it, and then causing the Rope to be wet, in about half an hour it shorten'd so much, that the Weight would swing this way, and that, like a Pendulum without touching the Board; yet the same Day the Rope was stretch'd again, so that it touch'd the Board.
About Morocco, which is an Inland Town, tho' the Soil be dry, and the Heat violent in the Day; yet I am told by one who was there, that the Nocturnal Air was so damp, as to be able to make his Cloaths unfit to be worn, till Air'd; yet, tho' the Air was very piercing, neither the Knife in his Pocket, nor the Sword in his Scab∣bard were subject to rust, tho' the same Metal expos'd to the open Air, was.
Air too moist cannot be wholsom. The Air about Oakly and Brill in Buckinghamshire, tho' a high Country, is so moist in October, that the
Stair-Cases and Pictures will stand all over Dew, which gathering in drops, runs down in Streams; and it is obser'd, that the North and North-East side of the Houses are so moist, that except the Rooms be air'd often, the Furniture will rot.
Having made use of a Hydroscope which was made of a Box, to whose Bottom a piece of Gut-string was fastend, and the other End of it to an Index, which lay upon the Top of the Box, the Circumference of the Box was divided into Degrees, or Partitions; By which we could perceive, that when Moist Vapours insinuated themselves into the Pores of the Lute-string, it would be wreath'd and twisted up, and the In∣dex would be mov'd that way, which the twist∣ing of the Rope inclin'd it, and when the Wea∣ther was dryer, it would return back the other way.
ONE of these Hygroscopes being conveigh'd into a small Receiver, when the Air was ex∣hausted, the Index did not sensibly alter it's Place in a long time; till the External Air was let in again. From which Experiment, and some o∣thers try'd with a Thermoscope, it appears, that the Aether, or that subtle Matter which succeeds in the Place of the exhausted Air, is neither hot, cold, moist, nor dry.
* 1.11AN excellent Astronomer told me, that of all the white Clouds, whose Height he had measur'd in fair Weather, he found none to exceed ¾ Quart. of a Mile; and very few above ½ a Mile.
A Mist at Sea driving towards the Shoar, with∣out any sensible Wind, causes the Sea to swell more than a brisk Wind. It hath likewise been ob∣serv'd, that Mists in some places rising about 30 Foot high, have fallen down in a Dew again.
* 1.12PIllars of Fumes have been divers times ob∣serv'd to rise from Ground which had se∣veral Veins of different Metal in it, some ill scented, some well scented, and others inodo∣rous; and I have observ'd, that the Charcoal made in Cornwall affords a manifest Arsenical and Sulphureous Smell beyond other Charcoal.
Tel est par exemple ce nuage horrible d'une fumée epaisse qui s'eleva de la mer de Cretee au Commencement de l'Eestede l'an, 721. et
qui s'etant repandu dans l'air le fit parôistre tout en feu. La mer n'en fut pas mesme ex∣empte, car les grosses Masses de pierres enflam∣mées qu'on en vit sortier, et qui se joignirent al 'Isle qu'on Nomme Hiera, échauferent si fort les eaux qu'elles en bruloient les maines.
* 1.14THO' the Peripateticks teach, that the Air is an Element, and consequently a pure simple Body, whose Qualities are moist and dry; yet from what we have already deliver'd, it ap∣pears, that it is an Aggregate of various kind of Effluvia jumbled and mix'd together; I mean, the Air distinct from that Purer Substance Ae∣ther, which I suppose diffus'd through the In∣terstellar Part of the Universe.
Amongst the Effluvia which rove up and down the Air; I account Saline ones the Chief, which is not unlikely, since the Terraqueous Globe, which continually emits Effluvia, abounds with great Quantities of Marine, Aluminous and Vitriolate Salts, which impregnate the Air; besides several Exhalations rais'd by the Sun-Beams, from the Surface of the Earth and Water; not to mention several other Saline Vapours which are dispersed in the Atmosphere, and arise from Vulcanos, as well as common Fires.
And as it is not improbable, but that the Air plentifully abounds with Saline Effluvia; so very likely, besides Nitrous, there are other kinds raised up and roving about in it; as Common Salt, and Vitriolate Salts; and that which seems to prove, that the Air in some places abounds with vitriolate Salts, is, that it hath been observ'd, that Hinges have been corroded and rotted, and other things prejudic'd upon a Vitriolate Soil, whereas in Houses, which stood on a Chalky Soil, no such Effects were observ'd: Be∣sides, on the Vitriolate Ground, we took No∣tice of Saline and White Efflorescences upon the Surface of the Soil, when beaten upon by the Sun-beams.
Besides which kinds of Salt, I am induc'd to believe, that the Air abounds with Volatile ones; For besides, that an Acquaintaince of Mine obtained a Spirit and Salt of Similar Qualities with Spirit of Harts-horn from Earth dug up some Yards deep; we may observe in favour of what I propose, that the very Soot which rises from fires near great Towns, a great part of which is dispersed in the Air, abounds with a Saline Spi∣rit, which may be obtain'd from it by Distillati∣on; as likewise, a great quantity of Volatile Matter may be raised in the form of Va∣pours from Animal substances putrified and cor∣rupted.
But besides these more simple Salts, there may be several others compounded in the Air, which may result from several Coalitions of simple Salts; and several Compound Salts may, not unlikely, arise from Subterraneal Parts: In favour of which I shall add, that in
America the Effluvia of a Vulcano, not only of∣fended, the Faces of some that approach'd too near, but caused a manifest alteration in the Colour of their Hair. And it hath been ob∣serv'd that several Sulphureous Exhalations have been gathered about the Crannies of Mount Ve∣suvius, which issuing out of small Crannies stick to the Edges like Flower of Brimstone: To which I shall add, that I had a Stone brought me from another Vulcano, whose Pores were full of a White Salt compounded of a fixed one, and an∣other Volatile much like Sal-Armon.
The Salts we have hitherto taken Notice of, are such as may be referred to a determinate Species: But I am apt to believe, that there are others which are such as are not known, nor have they any Names given them; this appears from what we have elsewhere taught of Sub∣terraneal Fumes; and may be further illustrated, by intimating, that I have observ'd Old Glass-windows sometimes corroded, as if Worm-eaten; which probably proceeded from some corrosive Particles carried thither by the Wind.
As for the Nature of these several Salts, that at different times, and in various Places, impreg∣nate the Air, amongst the different Methods that might be taken to investigate them, I shall mention the following.
CLean Copper Plates being placed over Glasses, under which, Spirit of Salt and Spirit of Nitre diluted with Water, were set. I Oserved, that they were discoloured alike by the ascending Fumes; it being common for these Spirits to draw a green Tincture from Copper as Spirit of Soot and Urine do a Blew one. I have observed a piece of Copper brought from a Mine overcast in several Parts with a Verdi∣grease, which effect I judged to depend on the Efficacy of some Effluvia in the Air. And possi∣bly with other Bodies, discovering different dis∣colourations, we be enabled to learn what kind of Steams those Effects are produced by. And it hath been observ'd, not only at Amsterdam, but elsewhere, that Plate, in a little time, in those Airs, would acquire a Rusty Colour, or one partaking of Yellow and Black.
A Third way, which may be taken to dis∣cover the different Nature of Effluvia, may be
by exposing Preparations of Mineral Bodies, whose Colours are apt to be changed by the Air.
IF a Solution of Silver in Aq. Fortis be preci∣pitated with Spirit of Sea Salt, the Powder will be at the First White; but after a while be∣ing exposed to the Air, the Surface of the Liquor will acquire a dark Colour, which may perhaps vary as the Air is differently impregnated.
AN equal Weight of Filings of Copper and Powdered Sal Armoniack, being mixed and put into a Covered Crucible, and kept over a moderate Fire till the Sal Armon. had done Smoaking, as much of the remaing Mass as could be parted was taken out, and looked of a Dark Colour; but being grossly beaten and exposed to the Air, looked like Verdigrease, a substance whose Colour commonly varies, according to the Nature of the Salts concerned in the producti∣on of the Pigment. But a Parcel of the same Mass being grosly beaten, and Hermetically Sealed up from the Air, and left in a South Win∣dow, was not discoloured when that exposed to the Air, had acquired a Virdigrease Colour.
SPirit of Soot of Wood dissolved Copper in∣to a lovely Azure; but the substance grow∣ing dry in the Air, changed it's Ceruleous for a Cyanious Colour, such as may be seen in good Turquoises. Which Change depended not on the Saline-Sulphureous Salt. Which I rather believe, because I had the same success when I made use of an Urinous Spirit drawn from an Animal substance.
Most of the Inland Parts of our Country a∣bound not with Corrosive Vapours, the Bars of Iron being not so subject to be corroded and Rust; So that I believe this Salt may proceed from Sea Vapours, or a dissolution of some Cor∣roding Salt, upon the burning of a Sea, or Mineral Coals.
Mox ollam ex igni removent;* 1.16 postea ex refrige∣rata eximunt halinitrum purissimum: quod candidi marmoris speciem gerit; aet{que} tunc etiam id quod ter∣renum est, in fundo residet. At terra, ex qua dilu∣tum fuit factum, & Rami quernei vel consimilis Arbo∣ris alternis sub dio ponantur, & aqua quâ combibit halinitrum conspergantur: quo modo quin{que} vel sex annis rursus apta fit ad conficiendum dilutum. Ha∣linitrum quodammodo purum, quod dum terra tot annos quievit interea, ortum fuit, & quod lapidei parietes in Cellis Ʋrinariis & locis opacis exudant, cum primo diluto permistum decoquatur.
Si verò locus aliquis talium venarum, copiam sup∣peditaverit, ipsae statim non conjiciantur in cast ella;
sed primò convehantur in areas, at{que} cumulentur: quanto enim diutius aeri & pluviis expositae fuerint tanto meliores fiunt. Nam in ejus∣modi cumulis, aliquot post Mensibus, quam Venae in are as fuerint conjectae, nascuntur fibrae longe venis bonitate praestantes: deinde vehantur in sex, plurave Castella longa & lat a ad novem pedes, ad quin{que} alta.
Si verò dum dilutum recoquitur, seperata non fue∣rint, mox ex minoribus Vasis infundatur in Majora, ea{que} concludantur; in quibus item atramentum suto∣rium seperatum ab alumine concrescit utrum{que} inci∣sum & in Hypocausto siccatum divendatur dilutum, quod in vasis & cupis non concrevit in cortinam, re∣fusum recoquatur: sed verra, quae in fundo cujus{que} cortinae resedit, ablata in castella unà cum verra; de∣nuo aqua & urina dilutaur. At terra quae in Castel∣lis diluta, postquam effluxit, superfuit egesta & coa∣cervata quotidie, rursus magis ac magis fit aluminosa, non aliter at{que} terra, ex qua halinitrum fuit con∣fectum, suo succo plenior fit: quare denuo in Castel∣la conjicitur, & aquae effusae ea percolantur.
And I have not only been informed, that the Dews in the most Southern parts are more than ordinary Corrosive; but that in Basil they are so Esurient, that the Portugals are forc'd to keep their great Guns cased up; in which Country the same Person told me the very Mony was cor∣roded by the sharpness of the Air; and he like∣wise observed, that the Dew left a White Salt upon the Grass, which looked like a Hoar Frost.
And I am likewise inform'd by a Native of the Place, that in a Town call'd Fahlure in Sweedland,
which stands upon the bottom of a Hill, which hath a Copper Mine in it, The Exhalations are so powerful as to Corrode Iron and Brass, and even Money it self, tho' lock'd up in Chests of Wood an Inch thick.
* 1.17A Neopolitan Lord told me, that Riding upon Sulphureous Ground, the Horses Feet would raise a Dust, which would be ready to take Fire; and when purposely, he had caus∣ed several pieces of that Earth to be cut like Turffs, and to be laid in a heap, in the Night, the Steams which plentifully rose from them, would sometimes take Flame; And the same Lord told me, that near Mount Vesuvius, He observ'd the Flame so violent, than when Measured by a Quardrant, it appear∣ed to be near two Miles high above the Top of the Mountain, and that great Flakes of Fire were thrown up into the Air as big as the Room we talked in.
Voila tout ce qu' on peut dire cette Isle, qui semple un enfer car on voit la mer du port,* 1.18 & de la coste toute noire & brûlee d'un petit escuel, qui paroist depuis environ soixan∣te ans, & d'ou on vit sortir en ce temps la une
grande flamme, qui is a laisse une ouverture si profonde, que si on y jette une pierre, on ne l'entend point tomber. Mais ce qui est arrive de∣puis en ce port, n'est pas moins estonnant; je le rapperteray icy comme je l'ay appris de di∣verses personnes en plusieurs endroîts. Ily a environ 18 ans que durant la nuit d'un certain Diamanche, commenca dans le port de Santori∣ni un tres grand bruit lequel s' entendit jus∣ques à Chio, qui en est eloigne deplus de deux cent milles, mais de telle sorte qu' on crut a Chio que c' estoî l'armèe venitienne qui combatroit contre celle des Turcs, ce qui fit que des le matin chacum monta aux lieux les plus elevez pour en estre Spectateur, & me sou∣viens que le Reverend Pere Bernard superieur des Capucins de Chio, homme Venerable, & tres digne de foy, me conta qu'il y avoit este trompè comme les autres, car il crut aussî bien qu' eux eux entendre pleusieurs coups de canon; cependent ils ne virent rien, & en effect ce fut un feu qui seprit dans la terre du fond du port de Santorini, & y fit un tel effect, que depuis le matin jusqu' au soir il sortit du fond de la mer quantite de pierres de ponce, qui montient en haut avec tant de roideur & tant de bruit, qu' on eust dit que ce fusset autant de caups de ca∣non, & cela infecta tellement l'air, que dans la dite Islle de Santorini, il maurut quantite de personnes, & plusieurs de la Mesine Isle en per∣dirent la veue, qu' ils recouvrerent pourtans quelque jours apres. Cette infection s' estendît ausi loin que le bruit quî l'avoit precede, car non seulement dans cette Isle, mais mesme a Chio, & a Smyrne, tout l'argent devint rouge,
soit qu' il fut dans les Coffres, ou dans les po∣ches; & nos Religieux demeurans en ces lieux la me dirent que tous leurs calices en estoient devenus rouges. Au bout de quelques jours cette Infection se dissipa, & l'Argent reprit sa premiere couleur, les pierres de ponce qui sor∣tirent de la couvrirent tellement la mer del'Archipel, que durant quelque temps, quand il Regnoit de certains Vents, il y avoit des ports, qui en estoient bouchez, en façon qu' il n'en pouvoit sortir aucune barque, pour petite qu' elle fut, que ceux qui estoient dedans ne se fissent le Chemin au travers de ces pierres de ponce avec quelques pieux; & on en voit en∣cor a present par toute la mer Mediterranée mais en petite Quantite, cela s' estant disperse ca et la. Seneque raconte en une de ses Epistres que Santonini est bastte sur des mines de sou∣phre, & ce sont elles qui fournissent asseure∣ment la matiere pour allumer en cet endroit, & n'y trouva point de fond. Il y a pourtant une petite Isle appellée Firesiá, á la pointe de laquelle▪ on peut donner fonds, & point en aucun autre endroit.
It is usually observ'd, that there is a strong smell of Sulphur near where a Thunder-bolt falls. When I was near the Lake of Gene∣va call'd Lacus Lemanus, there was a terrible Storm of Thunder, and the next day so strong a smell of Sulphur, that a Souldier who stood near the Place where a Thunder-bolt fell into the Water, could scarce bear the smell of the Sulphur.
July 24. 81. A Ship being at Sea about 100 Leagues off Cape Cod in 48 Latitude about 3 P. M. after a violent Storm of Thunder, the Bituminous Matter fell upon the Stem of the Ship, and burnt there, emitting a strong Sulphu∣reous Smell; and what was very remarkable, was that when Night came, they found, that the North Point of the Compass was become the South Point, and vice versâ. And,
It was observed by a very famous Planter, that several Trees remote from one another, had very long and remarkable fissures in the Bark, upon great Storms of Lightning.
SIR,
* 1.19IN order to discover the several affections of Winy Liquors, and the several Distempers incident to them; and how to preserve them, it is requisite to consider the Qualities of the Air, it's Temperature and Motion.
And this puts me in mind to beg our Friends Assistance, who would do well to make some progress in perfecting the Theory of the Planets; for if that be not clear, we cannot be free from Er∣rors in respect of their Motions and Calculati∣ons; and if we be mistaken in these, i'ts im∣possible to know either their Places in the Hea∣vens or their Aspects, and consequently the Phi∣sical
way of their Motion must be uncertain, and of no use or advantage.
But, tho' by some they are looked upon to have little or no influence upon our Globe, yet all the Arguments alledged against that Opini∣on, are rather levelled against Astronomy, in Re∣lation to some Superstitions about this Doctrine, than that they shew, why, when the Rays of each make different Angles upon one another, they may not at the last affect us. Since that they do is evident, by undeniable Experiments, not only on inanimate and vegetative Bodies; but likewise from the Observations of Physitians in all Lunatick, Epileptick, Paralitick or Lethargick Persons.
And indeed, since Rarefaction and Condensa∣tion are mediate Motions, which dispose Bo∣dies to Corruption, and are assisting in Generat∣ing New ones; and, since all the Affections and dispositions of Moisture, Heat, Cold, Drought, the Course of all Winds, Showers, Thundering, or whatsoever else is used by Nature, to pro∣duce these two General Effects of Rarefaction and Condensation, do in a great Measure, if not wholly depend upon, and are altogether regu∣lated by the Course and Aspects of the Celestial Bodies, it will not be irrational to teach, that every one of those, emitting Rays peculiar to themselves have, by the Influence of those, dif∣ferent Effects on our Atmosphere: The subtle parts of the Air being not only subject to be work∣ed upon by them, but likewise our Spirits, and other Humours, whose Parts, by the impressi∣on of these subtle Rays, may acquire a new determinate Motion, and consequently be altered,
whence may arise Convulsions, Cramps, Lame∣ness, &c. Accordingly as the Humours influen∣enced by them, are differently acted on, and disposed to shew their ill Effects in this or that Part.
So that it would be of considerable Import to Natural Philosophy, and of no small use in Hus∣bandry, Gardening, as well as Physick, to make such Observations, as might tend to the Improv∣ment of the Theory of the Planets by keeping exact Diàries in several Places, of the Changes of the Weather, and at the same time of the Mutual Aspects, places and Motions of the Planets; Besides, it would not a little conduce to the Perfecting of the Natural Histories of Countries, and particular Places.
But in instituting and perfecting Observations of this kind, we are not yet Furnished with Thermometers, sufficiently improved; for,
First, We are not yet acquainted, what Pro∣portion the Diameter of the Cylinder ought to bear to the Diameter of the Head; to make our Observations of the Alterations in the Air, regular. Secondly, We are not told what Length the Cylinder ought to be; nor hath it as yet been well graduated, 16 being the greatest Number; whereas to make Observati∣ons on the more Minute alterations, every Inch may be divided into 10, and consequently the whole into a 1000 Degrees. Thirdly, We are not yet told what Liquors are most proper to make such Experiments with; Whether such as Attract the Air, and preserve their first Quanti∣ties; such as Ol. Sulph. per Campanam Ol. Vitriol. or
Liquors, such as Sal Tartar, &c. or whether Li∣quors whose Parts are more subtle and fine, such as Spirit of Wine, or Turpentine; or Lastly, Spirit of Vinegar, or well refined Quicksilver.
In making such Experiments, it may be con∣venient to fix several Glasses in one Frame, with several sorts of Liquors in them; and that Ob∣servations should be made in several Rooms together, the Glasses being neither exposed to the Sun Beams, nor to the injury of Storms, Rain or Winds. In the History it self it will be requisite to give an Account of the very place such Experiments were made in, taking Notice whether the Experiments are not influenced by the Air in the Chimney, the Cranny of a Wall or Door, or the Breath of People. It will be requisite likewise to note the Proportion be∣twixt the Warmth of Day and Night, in constant Weather: The agreement or disagreement of the Motion of the Air, and Bodies above it in uncertain Weather: How far these may foretell Winds or Rain; the disposition of Air, when it Thunders, under times of Mildews or Blasting, eminent Eclipses, Conjunctions.
It is a Received Tradition in Java, that the Beams of the Moon, if one stays long under them, will cause Contractures; so that a Physitian, who Slept under them, had his Mouth strangely contorted, and his Neck stiff, which Symptoms he removed sooner than they are wont to go off, by the use of Aromatick Medicines.
* 1.20AT Porta Nova Nov. 22. 1667. There was so violent a Rain and Wind, that most of the Houses were Ruined; Men and Beast carried into the Water by the Violence of the Winds and Flood; the Town Wall was most of it thrown down and few Trees left standing. I am told that Hur∣ricanes are very frequent about the Island Mauri∣cius, where one lasted four days, in one of which it had seven Exacerbations, each of which differed two Points of the Compass from the Preceding; The surface of the Sea by the Collision of the Waves, was covered with a White Froath; the Day was darken'd by it, and the Noise like, that of Thunder, so that those on the Shrouds could not hear those on the Decks.
A Learned Physitian, that Travelled into A∣merica, told me, that those Countries are sup∣plyed with a constant Wind from the Hills; but Barbadoes, which wants Hills, hath no such Winds. In the Island of Teneriff Bree∣zes constantly flow from the Sea; but all Night, a sharp Wind blows on each side from the Land Sea-ward. I am told by a Traveller, that tho' the Tops of Mountains are generally calm; yet he had met with Winds considerably strong.
In Lettere di Venetia
MArtedi sui li 29. Agosto 1679. alle hore 19. incirca si leuolevò nelle Paludi della Villa di Fauis del Dominio Cesareo tre miglia lontana da Palma Noua Dominio Veneto un ucnto chiamato Bissa boua, che allargandosi per circa cinquanta passi scorse con ••anto empito, e furore, che portò per aria diuersi huomi∣ni, che tagliauano il fieno in quei Prati, e anco alcuni Carri carichi di fieno con i Buoui pre∣cipitandoli assai lontano con la rouina delli ani∣mali, de Carri, e degli huomini, e passando per i Campi sbarbicando ogni sorte di Piante le por∣tò per aria gettandole molti passi lontano, ren∣dendo la terra per oue scorce cosi arsa, che pare non ui sii mai stata piantata cosa alcuna. Arriuò nella villa decta Bagnaria del Dominio Veneto doue gettò a terra molte Case sino a fondamenti, et altre discoperse, e rouinò portando per aria tauole, traui, et ogni altra cosa che era dentro esse Case restando mal trattate molte Persone sen∣za però la morte di alcuno. Fuori di dettata Villa ui e una Chiesa chiatata S. Tomaso la qua∣le resto scoperta, e rouinata una parte del muro portando uia il Campanile, e Campane che nel gior∣no seguente non erano per anco trouate;—Di lá si portò uerso Seuigliano Dominio Veneto e rouinō tutta la Campagna senza danno però della Villa stessa mentre li passò poco lontano, e girando poco lungi dalla Villa stessa spiantò da fondamenti un Palazzo del D. Co. Horatio Strasoldo, nel quale gli amazzò ogni sorte di ànimali che ui erano, portando per aria li mobili e sino le botti, ester∣minando
parre della possessione. Non restorono però offese Persone, perche erano alla Campagna a lauorare, e nel camino getto pure a terra due altre Case che sono nel Taglio per andare a Stra∣soldo spiantandole affacto con la morte di una Donna, d'un Fanciullo, e diuersi Animali. Di là uoltò uerso Palma, et arriuando sino alle mura della Fortezz agirò uerso la Villa di Priuano mezo miglio distante quale rouinò la meta, spian∣tando da fondamenti belissimi Palazzi, portando per aeria travi, tavole, et ogni altra cosa con la morte di molti, quantità di feriti, e diuersi strapazzati con far alla Campagna di molto ma∣le. Di poi scorse nella Villa di Visco Dominio Imperiale, e tra li altri danni fatti roninò tutto il Palazzo novo del D. Marco Foscolini Gen∣tilhuomo di Cinidal nel quale essendoni una gran rimessa da Carozze, la di cui Porta haue∣na tre Cadenazzi, & entrando il Turbine per li balconi gettò la Carozza con tanto empito nella Porta siessa che la ruppe, e portò fuori la Ca∣roza tutta fracassata gettandola sopra un muro della Corte assa alto, portando il Cielo della stessa mezzo miglio lontano, e vertò nel me∣demo Palazzo ferito, e mal trattato un seruito∣re di esso Foscolini, di cui ronino pure Braida, & un Brolo essendo in detta Villa restati due morti, e diversi feriti; — S' inoltrò poi nella Villa di S. Vido di Crauglio stato Imperiale, la quale rouino tutta affatto senza restaurui ne∣meno una Casa, portando per Aria coppi, travi, legne, sassi, e mobili con la morte di moltissime Persone, e moltissimi feriti e rouinati, et in detta Villa non si può anddare, ne con Carri, ne con Caualli per la grande moltitudine di rouinazzo,
arbori et altro che hanno attauer-sato le stra∣de, essendo rimassi morti gran numero di ani∣mali.— Da questo luoco si portò uerso Villes Villa Imperiale buona parte della quale gettò a terra andar al. Territorio di Monfalcone con la morte di molte persone, et quantità di animali con las∣ciar le Campagne per dove è passata senza pi∣ante, e come strada battuta.—
Hà danneggiato anco altre Ville ma leggier∣menre, ne per anco si sá quello hauerà fatto piu avanti nel detto Territorio.
Questo successo hà lasciato un spauento gran∣de in queste Parti, essendosi uedute cose incredi∣bili mentre pioveuano sassi, tauole, arbori, traui, coppi, huomini, donne, fanciulli, botti, sorghi, uva, galline, animali, et in conclusione ciò che incontraua portaua per aria con un rumore, e fracasso così gradne, che faceua terrore essendo per dette Ville un concorso grande di Popolo uicino per uedere cose che si rendono incredi∣bili.
I am told, that tho' the Eastern Winds blow near Tangier about ¾ of a Year, yet they reach not into the Inland Country; where such Winds are not common.
I am told by one who observ'd it in the Bot∣tom of a Mine near the Sea, that before South Winds the Water would be troubled, but be∣fore East Winds it would be clearer than ordi∣nary, the Depth of the Mine was about 15 or 20 Fathom.
He told me likewise, that the Hurricanes at Goa, come but at two Seasons; about the be∣ginning of March, and the 4th of October.
* 2.1UPon the Rising of several Tempests toge∣ther, the Sky seems covered over with Globes of Smoaky Clouds, the Air seeming black and Thick; and by and by incessant Light∣ning, with terrible loud Thunder breaks out; Ludolph's History of Aethiop. l. 1. c. 5.
A Viol String hath been Observed, upon Rainy weather, to sound half a Note sharper than before, and, I am told by the same Per∣son, that having kept false Strings in his Pockets for some time after, they became true ones; and the same Person hath Observ'd, that some Strings are apter to Receive a Tension, than others.
* 2.2HAving placed a hollow Cube of Brass, e∣very side of which was an exact English Inch, in a pair of Scales as Horizontally as we could, It's Weight being ʒxi. gr. 1. ss. we fill'd
it with common Water, and then, besides the Counter-poise of the Brass Cube, the Water weighed 254 ••/•• Grains; and since it is a hard Matter to fill the Vessel more exactly than we did, I judge that a Cubick Inch may way, 256 Grains.
* 2.3A Cubick Inch of Mercury weighed in the same Brass Cube was 3580 Grains, which is to the Weight of Water, as 14 to 1
* 2.4The Weight of the Air incumbent on an Inch Square of Air here below, amounts to 18 l ½ Troy∣weight, i. e. 15 l. 1/17 Averdupois-weight.
As 11 to 14. or rather as 355. to 452, so is the Area of a Square inscribed in a Circle to the Area of the Circumscribed Circle.
Hence 355 : 452 ∷ 1 : 1, 2732394.
Hence if the side of a Circumscribed Square be an Inch, that Multiplied by an Inch, renders a Cubick Inch for the Solid Content.
In the like manner, if the Height of a Cy∣linder Erected on the Circumscribing Circle, be an Inch, the Solid content of that Cylinder is, 1, 2732394.
Wherefore 1, and 1, 2732394, Multiplyed, by the Weight of the Cubick Inch of any kind of Metal, give the Weight of a Cubick Inch, and of a Cylindrick Inch that Circumscribes the same; whence an Inch Table for both is easily made, by contiunal addition, or for any Height propounded, Multiplying both by the same.
* 2.5LE Tuyan recourbé estoit fermé au bout ae et Ouuert alautre extremité B. La. recourbure depuis G. jusq' a C. estoit pleine de Mercure & tout le reste estoit plein d'air. La longueur AE.C. estoit 4. Pouces ou 32/8. J'echauffay cet air, et il feit baisser le Mercure Jusques en f. qui estoit ⅜ plus bas, & en mesme temps il monta jusq' en H. qui estoit ⅜ plus haut que G. ou C.
Pour sçauoir quélle hatetur de Mercure auroit este necessaire pour empescher la dilatation de lair, & retenir le mercure en C. je nay quá trou∣uer ce qui seroit necessaire pour repousser le mer∣cure en C. Etainsy contenir lair dans léspace AE. C. non obstant la Chaleur. Jepose pour prin∣cipe ceque lexperience fait voir, Cest que quand une quantitè dáir occupe un certain espace que jáppelle AE. et que la pression qui leretient dans cet espace soit B. si on vient a augmenter cette pression de telle quantité que lón voudra comme X. on diminuera l'espace AE. d'une certain quan∣tité D. Laquelle quantité est au restant M. comme X est a B.
D. M ∷ X. B. donc. M. D ∷ B. X.
Il est aiséd áppliquer cette reigle à lexperience cy dessus. Car AE. f. ou 35/8 de pouce sont lespace AE. Lapression ordinaire de lâir qui est de 30 Pouces.
Jointe nae un pouce de haut que se trouue entre. f et H. est B X 31 Pouces de Mercure: et si nous y en adjoustons assez pour reduire lair a léspace AE. C. Le dit AE. C. sera M. X 32/8 Et. f. C. sera D. X ⅜
Posant donc.
| M. | D. | B. |
| 32. | 3. | 31. |
La quatriesme propotionelle sera X. X 2 29/32 pouces, qui estants joints a B. X 31 Pouces feront 33 29/32 pouces dont láir sera pressé en C. AE. qui sont pres de 4 Pouces au dessus de la pression or∣dinaire.
HAving procured all the Surveying Chains we could, and a proper Frame for a Baro∣scope, we went into the Church, where when the Tube was inverted, as in the Torcellian Ex∣periment; the Mercury stood at 30 Inches, and 50 Centesms of an Inch: Being drawn up to the first floor which is 1033 ½ Inches, it subsided 9 Cents of an Inch; being drawn up 935 Inches higher, it sunk 8 Cents more; being drawn up 2313 Inches higher yet, it lost 23 Cents, and when it was let down again the Mercury reas∣cended to it's former Station at every one of the Marks.
At another time an inverted Baroscop being made use of, such as Plate 5, Fig. 6, delineates, having set a Mark where the Mercury stood be∣low, when it was raised.
| Inches | Inch. | Cent. | |
| 1033 ½ | The Liquor Ascended | 1 | 25 |
| 1••68 | 2 | 39 | |
| 2467 | 3 | 22 | |
| 4281 | 5 | 64 | |
| 4800 or 400 feet | 6 | 40 |
On the great Continent not far from the Sea, before a great Storm, in which the Wind blew along the Continent, the Mercury was Raised two Inches above it's usual Station; but when the Wind blew from the Sea, the Mer∣cury subsided; which hath been observed by an∣other Gentleman in England, where in the In∣land Parts likewise the Mercury subsided before a Storm.
* 2.6IN the Letter we are inform'd, that designing, at the Request of Mr. Boyle, to try some Barometrical Experiments in the Gruffs at Minedeep, when he came there, he found it nei∣ther safe nor easy, for one not accustomed, to go down into them; for the Descent not be∣ing Perpendicular, but crooked, as the Cranies of the Rocks gave them way easiest in sinking their Pits, they are forc'd to clamber up and
down the Narrow Passage, by setting their Hands and Feet against the sides of it, all the Assistance besides, being a Rope which they take under their Arm; besides, sometimes when they are down, the Damps catch them; and if they cannot get out speedily, they fall into a Swond and die: The only Remedy which Recovers them is this, they first Dig a hole in the Earth for their Faces, and then cover them close with Turffs. To force Air into these Gruffs, they place Turfs on the Lee side of the Pits Mouth, instead of which, if they be pla∣on the other side, those in the Gruffs are seised with a want of Breath and Fainting. Sweet Flowers being taken down into them, presently Stink. And it is likewise observ'd, in these Gruffs, that it is very dangerous to descend in∣to them, when any Fire remains in the Chinks of the Rocks; for they usually make such Fires up∣on hard Rocks, that they may more easily Dig through them.
The Torrecellian Experiment being tryed, on a Steep Hill, the Mercury at the Bottom was suspended at 29 Inches and ⅛; at the Top of the Hill it subsided to 28 ¾, where both as I ascended and descended, the Mercury gradually subsided and rose again; only the Sun had so far Rarified the Air above the Mercury, that when the Tube was brought to the bottom again, the Mercury wanted 1/32 of it's former height, which I sup∣pose depended on the Resistance that Rarified Air made to the Pressure of the Atmosphere.
Having visited the Incrusting Spring, I for∣merly mentioned, I observ'd, that about the Spring-head there was only a little Moss In∣crustated;
but 40 or 50 Yards of it, where the Water hath a Fall higher than my Head, it Sheathed every thing with Stony-cases, and makes the sides of the Banks hard Rock. It bears Soap, Freezes Quickly, and Waters Ground with advantage; It is used in the Kitchen and Brew∣house belonging to the Gentleman, in whose Ground it Rises in, without any sensible ill Ef∣fects; only his Horses are Observ'd to be usual∣short Breathed. Thus for the Extract of Mr. Lock's Letter.
Some days ago the King doing me the Honour to Discourse with me about the use of Baro∣scopes, he told me, that he himself had by ob∣serving the Baroscope, foretlod a Storm, which accordingly ensued.
Nous apprenons de ces experiences, que puis∣que le poids de l'Air et le poids de l'eau qui est dans les Pompes se tiennent mutuellement en E∣quilibre, ils pesent precisement autant l'un que l'autre; & qu' ainsi en connoissant la hauteur ou l'eau s'élve en tous les lieux du monde, nous connoissons en mesme temps combien chacun de ces liex est presse par le poids de l'Air qui est au dessus d'eux; et partant.
Que les lieux qui sont au bord de la mer, sont pressez par le poids de l'Air, qui est au dessus d'eux jusques au haut de sa Sphere, autant precise∣ment, que si au lieu de cét Air on substituoit une colomne d'eau de la hauteur de 31 Pieds deux poulces.
Ceux qui sont plus elevez de dix toises, autant que s' ils portoient de l'eau de la hauteur de 31 Pieds un poulce.
Ceux qui sont élevez au dessus de la mer de 500 Toises, autant que s' ils portoient de l'eau à la hauteur de 26 Pieds onze poulces: & ainsi du reste.
Nous apprenons par ces experiences que l'Air qui est sur le niveau de la mer pese autant que l'eau, à la hauteur de 31 Pieds deux poulces; mais parce que l'Air pese moins sur les lieux plus ele∣vez que sur le niveau de la mer; et qu' ainsi il ne pese pas sur tous les Points de la terre egale∣ment, & mesme qu'il pese differemment par tout, on ne peut pas prendre un pied fixe, qui marque combien tous les lieux du monde sont Chargez par l'Air, le fort portant le foible; mais on peut en prendre un par conjecture bien approchant du juste; comme par exemple, on peut faire es∣tat, que tous le lieux de la terre en general con∣siderez comme s' ils estoient également chargez d'Air, le fort portant le foible, en sont autant pressez, que s' ils partoient de l'eau à la hauteur de 31 Pieds; et il est certain qu' il n'y a pas un demy pied d'eau d'erreur en cette Suppositi∣on.
Or nous avons veu que l'Air qui est au dessus des montagnes hautes de 500. toises sur le nive∣au de la mer, pese auntant que l'eau à la hauteur de 26 Pieds 11 Poulces.
Et par consequent tout l'Air qui s' étend de puis le niveau de la mer jusqu' au haut des mon∣tagnes, hautes de 500 Toises, pese autant que l'eau à la hauteur de 4 Pieds un poulce, qui estant à peu prés la septiéme partie de la hauteur entiere; il est visible que l'Air compris depuis la mer jus∣ques
à ces montagnes est à peu pres la septiéme partie de la masse entiere de l'Air. Nous apprenons de ces mesmes Experiences, que les vapeurs qui sont épaisses dans l'Air, lors qu'il en est le plus Chargé, pesent autant que l'eau à la hauteur d'un pied huit Poulces; puis∣que pour les contrepeser, elles font housler l'eau dans les Pompes à cette hauteur, par des∣sus celle ou l'eau contrepesoit déja la pesanteur de l'Air: de sorte que si toutes les vapeurs qui sont sur une contrée estoient reduites en eau, comme il arrive quand elles se changent en pluye, elles ne pourroient produire que cette hauteur d'un pied huit poulces d'eau sur cette contrée. Et s' il arrive par fois des orages ou l'eau de la pluye qui tombe vienne à une plus grande hau∣teur; c' est parce que le vent y porte les va∣peurs de contrées voisines.
Nous voyons aussi de là, que si toute la Sphe∣re de l'Air estoit pressée & comprimée contre la terre par une Force qui la poussant par le haut, la reduisist en bas à la moindre place qu' elle puisse occuper, & qu' elle la reduisist comme en l'eau, elle auroit alors la hauteur de 31 Pieds seule∣ment.
Et par consequent qu' il faut considerer toute la masse de l'Air en l'estat libre ou elle est, de-la mesme sorte que si elle eust este autrefois com∣me une masse d'eau de 31 pieds de haut á l'en∣tour de toute la terre, qui eust esté rarefiée et di∣latée extremement, et convertie en cet estat ou nous l'appellons Air, auquel elle occupe à la verite plus de place, mais auquel elle conserve
precisement le mesme poids que l'eau à 31 pieds de haut. Et-comme il n' y auroit rien de plus aisé que de suppter combien l'eau qui environneroit tou∣te la terre à 31 Pieds de haut peseroit de livres; et qu' un enfant qui scait l'Addition et la Sous∣traction le pourroit faire; on trouveroit par le mesme moyen combien tout l'Air de la Nature pese de liures, puisque c' est la mesme chose; et si on en fait l'épreuve, on trouvera qu' il pese à peu prés huit Millions de Millions de Millions de Liures.
I' ay voulu avoir ce plaisir, et j' en ay fait le compte en cette sorte.
I' ay supposé que le Diametre d'un cercle est à sa circonference, comme 7 à 22.
I' ay suppose que le Diametre d'une Sphere estant multiplié par la circonference de son grand cercle, le produit est le contenu de la superficie Spherique.
Nous Scavons qu' on a divise le tour de la ter∣re en 360 degrez. cette division à esté voluntaire, car on l'eust divisée en plus ou moins si on eust voulu, aussi bien que les cercles celestes.
On a trouve que chacun de ces degrez conti∣ent 50000 toises.
Les lieues autour de Paris sont de 2500 toises; et par consequent il y a 20 lieues au degré: D'autres en comptent 25 mais aussi ils ne mettent que 2000 toises à la lieue; ce qui revient à la mes∣me chose.
Chaque toise a 6 pieds.
Un pied Cube d'eau pese 72 libres.
Cela pose, il est bien aise de faire la supputa∣tion qu' on cherche.
Car puisque la terre a pour son grand cercle, ou pour sa circonference 360 degrez. Elle a par consequent de tour 7200 lieuves. Et par la proportion de la Circonference au Diametre aura 3291 lieues. Doncen multipliant le Diametre de la terre par la Circonference de son grand cercle; on trouvera qu' elle á en toute sa superficie Spheri∣que 1649200 lieues quarrées. C' est à dire 103, 095, 000, 000, 000, toises quarr. C est à dire 3711, 420, 000, 000, 000, pieds quarr. Il's ensuit qu' un pied cube d'eau pese 72 liv∣res.
Et parce qu' un prisme d'eau d'un pied quar∣re de base, et de 31 pieds de haut, pese 2232 livres.
Donc si la terre estoit couverte d'eau jusques à la hauteur de 31 pieds; il y auroit autant de pri∣smes d'eau de 31 Pieds de haut, qu' elle a de Pieds quarrez en toute sa surface. (Ie scay bien que ce ne seroient pas des prismes, mais des secteurs de Sphere; et je neglige exprés cette Precision.)
Et partant elle porteroit autant de 2232 livres d'eau, qu' elle a de pieds quarrez en toute sa sur∣face.
Done cette masse d'eau entiere peseroit. 8283, 889, 440, 000, 000, 000, livres.
Donc toute la masse entire de la Sphere de l'Air qui est au monde, pese ce mesme poids de 8283. 889, 440, 000, 000, livres.
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C' est à dire, Huit Millions de Millions de Millions, deux cent quarte vingt trois Mille huit cent quatre vingt neuf Millions de Millions, quatre cent quarente Mille Millions de livres.
* 3.1De caetero, feci haud ita pridem experimen∣tum ponderandi aeris, quod pulchré successit; nam sumptâ vitreâ lagenâ, valde levi et ad lam∣padem sufflatâ, ejus figurae, qualem alibi excusam vides, magnitudine parvae pilae quales habentur in sphaeristeriis, non habente nisi minimam quandam aperturam per quam immittatur pilus in extremitate orificii sui B. ponderavi eam in lance valde exacta, & frigida pondus habuit 78 granorum cum dimidio: Postea calefeci eam car∣bonibus impositam, & reposui in bilancem eo si∣tu quo hic descriptum vides, nimirum orificio in imum verso, & deprehendi eam vix habere pon∣dus 78 granorum, tum immergendo orificium in aquam, refrigescere feci, & dum aer se conden∣sat pro modo quo refrigescit lagena, intravit tan∣tundem aquae quantum aeris calor antea expu∣lerat; denique ponderans eam cum omni illa aqua deprehendi eam habere pondus 72 grano∣rum & dimidii plus quam antea: unde concludo aerem qui per ignem expulsus erat, se habere ad aquam quae in locum suum regressa erat uti ½ se habet ad 72 ½, aut uti se habet 1. ad 145. sed po∣tui in eo errasse difficile, quippè est in ea re omni∣no exactum essée; Id saltem certò scio, quòd pon∣dus
aeris hoc modo sit sensiblile, & prolixe hic deduxi processum meum, ut si te eadem curiosi∣tas incessat, possis id eodem modo perficere ex∣perimentum. Vale.
* 3.2A Thin, but large Bladder, having a third Part of the Air, it was capable of con∣taining, remaining in it, had it's Neck strongly tyed; and at the other end a Weight was sus∣pended of 14 Pound by a String, which could not shrink ¼ of an Inch, without raising the Weight from the ground: But the Air in the Bladder was so far expanded by heat, that the Weight was raised, and would swing in the Air like a Pen∣dulum. The same Experiment being tryed with a 50 pound Weight, before the expanded Air was able to raise the Weight, the Bladder would burst.
To try whether the Corpuscles of the Air would penetrate into a Liquor exposed to the Ordinary pressure of the Atmosphere, we poured a Urinous Spirit upon as much Filings of Cop∣per, as covered the bottom of a Cylindrical Vi∣al, so that the Spirit was the Breadth of 3 Fin∣gers above the Filings, which being done, on that, we poured so much Oyl of Almonds, as covered the Spirit the Thickness of a Crown piece; upon which the Vial being kept some days in a quiet place, the Urinous Liquor did
first acquire, and then lose a blew Tincture. When the blew was in a great Measure vanished, the Bottle was kept unstopped a Minute, and then stopped again; in a short time the Urinous Spirit was tinged with blew, which Colour in an hour extended it self all over the Liquor, the Oyl upon the Top of it still remaining clear.
TO shew that it is not without Reason that I Question what the Peripateticks teach a∣bout the Limits and Temperaments of the Air, which they divide into three Regions, I shall pro∣pose the following Particulars.
The Air at Morocco, tho' excessive hot in the Day is Cold at Night, as well as the Mounta∣nous Parts thereabouts.
One, who stayed a Year in Guinea, tho' it is ex∣cessive hot, told me, that about 4 a Clock in the Morning, he was ready to tremble with Cold.
One told me, that in Jamacia, when he lay in his Hammock about 3 or 4 Foot from the Ground, tho' he had much Cloths under him, yet he perceived it Cold beneath, and Hot a∣bove.
So that to shew that not only Liquors, and Ani∣mal Bodies may be affected with the Summers heat, but even Glass it self, I shall intimate, that Glass-stopples of Factitious Crystal being so fitted to Vi∣ols of the same, tho' in Winter they would move
about easily; yet in the Summer they would not be pull'd out by the Assistance of a String, till the Expansion of the Glass was taken off by be∣ing cool'd in Water.
I am apt to believe, that several Effects, which we are apt to attribute to the Heat of the Air, putting the Parts of the Juices of our Bodies in Motion, depend on some Effluvia rais'd by Heat from other Bodies, and which swim in the Air.
A large Piece of Amber being plac'd in the Summer in the Sun-Beams, had its Parts put in∣to such an Agitation, as enabled it to emit Ele∣ctrical Effluvia, and to attract light Bodies, which Power it would lose when remov'd out of the Sun-Beams again.
Mr. Nickson told me, that, near Hudson's Bay, when they were a Leeward of certain floating Islands of Ice, they were sensible of it by a new Access of Cold; before they approach'd so near as to see them, which was at 20 Miles distance. He likewise told me, that that Wind brought a∣long with it a Foggy Air; And that in that of Hudson's Bay where he winter'd, the Rivers were not free from Ice from the latter End of October, to the middle or end of May, tho' the Latitude of Charlton Island, most frequented by the English was of the same Latitude with London, and at the most not exceeding 52 Degrees: The Ice was near six Foot deep; and the Frost so vio∣lent, that Bottles of Brandy would have a fourth Part turn'd into Ice, the unfroze Liquor being much stronger than before: The Ice which swam upon the Water was fresh, from whence they supply'd themselves with fresh Water, ei∣ther
by melting it in their Pots, or by gather∣ing it from large Cavities in floating pieces of Ice, where it was melted by the Sun-Beams.
A Traveller told me, that upon the Top of a Pyrenean Mountain in the Summer it was very hot, tho' the same Day it was cover'd with Snow; and another told me, that the Winds at Morocco were so hot, as almost to stifle him.
And it hath been observ'd, upon the Tops of high Pyrenean Mountains, that, below them there were Clouds which yielded Rain plenti∣fully, out of which Lightning flash'd upwards as well as downwards.
Dr. Stubbs told me, that in a Bolt-head about 2 Foot ½ long, about 7 or 8 a Clock in the Morning, which is the faint time of the Day, the Water would rise but ¼ of Inch and half a quarter, af∣ter which time it would subside till that time the next Day. He further added, that in 8 or 10 Months time in that hot Country, Water would not decrease in Quantity, tho' kept un∣stopp'd.
I am told by another, that in the Torrid Zone near the Coast of Sumatra, tho' Ice nor Frost nor Snow are ever observ'd, yet he hath known Hail to fall. And I am told, that in the Island of Ceylon, which lies betwixt 6 and 10 Degrees North Latitude in that Torrid Climate, it would be so cold at the Top of some Hills, to whose Tops they could ascend in half an hour, that they would almost shiver. And Capt. Knox told me, that having spent 18 Years in that Island, he observ'd a kind of Meteor in Winters Mornings between a Dew and a hoar Frost, which
presently vanish'd; and that once there hap∣pen'd a shower of Hail, which were about the size of a black Cherry, but were presently melt∣ed upon the Ground.
The Heat is so violent in the Island Suaquena, that it excoriates the Skin, melts Indian Wax in a Cabinet, and sears your Shoes like a red hot Iron. Yet on some Mountains in Aethiopia, they dread Cold more than Heat; tho' no Snow falls, but only a little Hail now and then, which soon melts; and Tellesius witnesses, that in many Re∣gions in Aethiopia, the Air is more mild than in Portugal, so many Degrees distant North∣ward.
At Tripoli in Barbary it is observ'd, that when the Wind blows over a long Sandy De∣sart, it, as well as the Wind it brings along with it, seems as hot as the Steams from an Oven: And and the same hath been observ'd near the Island of St. Lovis, on the Coast of Africk; where it was further remarkable, that the Ground was so hot, that the Gentleman, who related it, could scarce endure to stand upon it; and he fur∣ther told me, that when the Wind blew from a Wood, in which the dead Bodies of Wild Beasts lay, it stunk so that it could scarce be endu∣red.
In summo ejus montis, Idae sc. fastigio sacellum est, quod aedificiolo duntaxat constat saxis sibi invi∣cem impositis & sine calce cohaerentibus fornicis in modum constructo, ad tectum praebendum. Sublimi adeo loco est, & à vehementioribus ventis inter∣dum ita perflato, ut lapilli inde transferantur.* 3.3 Pau∣lo infra id sacellum planities conspicitur montibus
undique cincta, in quâ multa sunt pascua, ubi Ari∣etes & Caprae Cretenses aestate pinguescunt. Si quis ex summo montis vertice undique prospiciat, p•••…•••… aberit, quin totius Insulae ambitum videat cum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vicinis Insulis, Miso, Cerigo, sive Cythera, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archipelagi. Aeris intemperies in hoc •••…•••…te adeo magna est quemadmodum ut in caeteris prae•••…•••… montibus, ut in ipsis Caniculae ardoribus •…•…ridie▪ nullo etiam spirante vento, ingens sen••••••tur fri∣gus: qua de causa nec hyeme, nec asl•…•…te 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eum incolit. Nam licet pastores interd•…•… ••••i•••• greges ad pascua agunt, noctu tamen in valles se re¦cipiunt.
In the next Chapter.
Latè porro patet hic mons ejusque radices 〈◊〉〈◊〉 maris littora, ut ante diximus, attingunt; nam li∣cet urbi Candiae sunt vicinae, meditullium tamen in∣sulae occupat ipse mons, adeo in sublime evectus, ut nives ejus verticem perpetuò tegnant; tamque frigida a••ra mediis etiam astatis ardoribus isthic est, ut vix ferri queat: tametsi in convallibus magnus sit aestus.
* 3.4Contigit id meae experientiae, quod etiam aliis contigisse audivi, ut ascenderem ad summutatem usque montis Veneris, qui omnium in Patavino a∣gro altissimus est; ibi per totum diem habui Aerem serenissimum, sed infra circiter medium montis vi∣di nubes, quae me visione vallium prohibebant, ve∣speri autem postquam de illo monte descendi, inve∣ni factam eo die infera parte magnam pluviam cum in montis cacumine nihil pluisset; ex eo in∣tellexi me transiisse per mediam Aeris regionem,
in qua est facta pluvia, nec tamen eam sensi fri∣gidissimam, imò vix aliquam animadverti diffe∣rentiam frigidioris & calidioris Aeris, nam aesti∣vum tempus erat, pro aestivo tempore eram vestitus, nec tamen tantum frigoris, quod me laederet, ex eo loco percepi; pars igitur illa non est absolutè frigida, sed solùm comparatione inferi, Aeris ca∣lidioris.
Idem de Alpibus proprio exemplo edoctus testatum reliquit Bartholinus Syst. Phys. Instit. Succinct. de Terra, Aere & Igne, C. 4. Resp. 1.
Mount Atlas in the Heat of Summer hath been seen cover'd with Snow; and several Peo∣ple who have visited the Tops of high Moun∣tains, such as the Alpes and Teneriff, have found it exceedingly cold. I am told by one, that he never heard of Snow or Ice in Guinea; but in Barbary, where the Plains were excessive hot, the Tops of Mountains were cover'd with Snow, and the like hath been observ'd in the Island Ceylon, and the Mountains of Congo.
In the Summer 88, I plac'd a Glass in a Cave, which faced the Sea, it being cover'd with 80 Foot of Earth, and cut right in about 130 Foot, the Mercury stood ½ above Temperate; and at the same time, in another Glass in the open Air it stood at hot: About Christmas following the Mercury in the Cave vary'd not, but that with∣out stood at Frost.
In New-Hampshire in New-England it is ob∣serv'd, that in the Winter the North-West Wind is very cold, and in Summer intensly hot; It is ascrib'd to a large Tract of Woody Land, which in the Winter is cover'd with Snow, and
in the Summer, the Valleys being close, keep in the Heat till it becomes very violent.
* 3.5 De montibus ad Bavariam stantibus mira est Al∣berti Chanowii nostri narratio: Post Bergreichen∣steinam (oppidum fodinis hodieque nobile) esse montes non tam situ (alii enim ad septentrionem, alii ad meridiem latus obvertunt) quam Coelo & temporibus adversantes, vallibus latissimis montes illos dirimentibus; monstri instar est (quod se vi∣disse, & Anno 1639. in rem praesentem venisse religiosissimus ille & Apostolicus vir asserit) in al∣tero monte saepius aestatem, in altero apposito hie∣mem dominari, it a ille succus aestivat, hic altissi∣mis nivibus obsitus à viatore superari non po∣test; ob eamque causam Messes ipsae variant, & dum in montibus ad nos obversis demessa sunt om∣nia,* 3.6 altera Montium parte seges virescit: Mirius illud quod in Biessinentibus & Czachroviensibus Agris in tractu Plsnensi, contiguis, quos unus tan∣tum sulcus dirimit ac dividit, deprehenditur: Cza∣chrovienses adhuc hibernant, cum in Biessinensi Coelum ardeat, ibi caput attollit humo frumentum, cum Czachrovii adolescit in culmum; clemento quoque dispari, illud riget, hoc tepet & ferve••, eâque ex causâ, dum Czachrovienses bene pelliti ingrediuntur, Biessinenses pellibus onerari se sen∣tiunt, villosque deponunt. Aliquid tale Anno 1652. mihi quoque accidisse memini: nam cum Glacio Zambergam in Bohemia contenderem, & Glacio ob nives altissimas certum vehiculi genus, quod tra∣has dicimus, sumpsissem, superatis montibus, qui comitatum Glacensem à Bohemia dividunt, subitò alia rerum facies apparuit: altero enim montium latere viridia omnia reperimus, sic ut Trahae nulli
jam rei & usui essent, & currum petere cogere∣mur, nisi in luto natare placuisset; at accolae mon∣tium illorum quotannis id sibi accidere confirma∣bant, ut unum latus montium profundissimae nives contegerent, quando alterum latus lectissimos flores proferret, & cum ibi omnia ventis verti videren∣tur apud se è floribus suavissimos odores efflari.
I was told by a Gentleman, who several times went down into the Hungarian Gold Mine at Cremonitz, that when he was drawn up the Groove, which was bout 100 Foot deep, as soon as he ascended half the way, he perceiv'd the Air sensibly warmer, which continu'd seve∣ral Feet nearer the Day; in which Region he observ'd, several Veins of Native Vitriol of dif∣ferent Colours, which were soft under Ground, and being expos'd to the open Air, presently hardened. Under the Torrid Zone the Mariners, I am told, hang up their Bottles of Liquor in a Linnen Cloth, that the Wind may blow upon it, by which means it would be cool'd enough to make it fit for drinking.
The Heat of the Sun is so violent in some Parts of Moscovy, Norway and especially at Mozam∣bique, that it often sets the very Houses on fire; which I the less wonder at in the latter place, be∣cause they build their Houses with a Stone that abounds with Sulphur Viv. When the Sun is in the Zenith, the sandy Ground is so hot, that they can scarce endure to tread on it.
Ʋn Gentilhomme de mes amis plein de merit & digne de creance me mande entre plusieures choses extraordinaires qu'il a observées proche de Barege
aux Pyrenées, qu'il y a des ponts de niege d'un rocher à lautre pardessous les quels passent des tor∣rents. Il en a vu un qui embrasse deux torrents, & qui a vint neuf toises de long & autant de lar∣ge par dessus. Il y a par dessous ce pont Neuf toi∣ses & demi entre les Naissances de la voute les ponts sont tellement forts qu' il estime que du Ca∣non y passeroit, & il a fait rouler de grosses pieces par dessus.
Le tremblement de Terre que souffrit la Syrie l'an 750. ne fut gueres moins surprenant; puisque la Terre s'estant ouverte de toutes parts, plusieurs Villis furent abîmèes, d'autres renversées, & quel∣ques unes qui estoient elevées sur des hauteures transportées dans des plaines eloignées de six mille de leur situation. On en peut dire autant du froid extreme qui l'an 753. glaça le Pont-Euxin a la longueur de cent mille, & toute l'estendue de la mer voisine, jusq' à 30 condées de profondeur, quoy qu'on ne fût encore qu'au commencement de l'autom∣ne.
Journal de Scavans III. 1685.
It is the Custom at Guinea to cool their Water by burying it all Night under Ground: And on the contrary in some Places it is so excessive Cold, that in the Woods, it would freeze our Eye-lids; the outside of the Houses would be half cover'd with Snow, and Ice-ickles would hang on the Insides; the Cloaths on our Beds would be cover'd with a hoar Frost, and Water which stood near the fire, would have one side hot, and the other froze: The Sea would be froze up till the beginning of June, and the Ground till the beginning of July. Capt. James.
I was told by one who ascended to the Top of
the Pic de Medi, a Pyrenean Mountain, that tho' the North side was covere'd with Snow, yet the Heat of the Sun-shine could scarce be endur'd on the South side; this Hill is so high, that it may be seen from Montauban 27 Leagues distant.
An Ingenious Physician told me, that tho' Jalap at Tangier might be reduced to Powder; yet at Morocco it was so melted by the Heat of the Air, as to become incapable of being powdered.
Nel capo di comorino si termina cosi I' esta, come I' inverno dalla parte, di la dal capo verso Notte, & dal'altra parte correspond illi ••••mpo assai contrario è eiverso, di maniera che, chi va navigando, per quella costae nel mese di Ottobre, sino ad Aprile naviga nel esta, è non puo in tutto questo tempo, passare il capo per Esser iui la sta∣gione del inverno, & il Puere, che resiede nelle Chies ch' appartengono al Capo di Comorino ne Al∣cune la state, il che e cosa di gran Meraviglia, essendo cio nel medessimo tempo nella distanza sola mente di due, o tre miglia.
An eminent Virtuoso descended into a Mine in Tirol 1800 Foot deep, without taking notice of any hot Region by the way; and at the Bottom the Air was so temperate, that notwith∣standing what is said of Antiperistasis, no in∣tense Cold was retreated thither to shun the Heat of the superior Air.
One that descended into several Mines in England, observ'd it sensibly colder, when he was about a Yard below the Fast, as Miners call that solid Earth, which they distinguish from
that looser Earth that lies above it, in which Plants and Trees spread their Roots, they sel∣dom reaching to, or penetrating into the Fast, tho' sometimes it lies near enough the Exter∣nal Surface of the Earth.
* 3.7The Gentlemen who gave the following Ac∣count, set out from Oratava, a Town situated on the North side, two Miles from the Sea, and in 8 hours got to the Top of the first Mountains, to wards the Pico de Terana, from whence the Com∣pany proceeded over sandy and lofty Mountains, which were not cover'd with Pine Trees as the first 8 hours Passage was: This Way continu'd till they came to the Foot of the Pico, where they found very large Stones, which seem'd to have fallen from some superior Part.
* 3.8It is thought by Dr. Pugh, that the whole Soil in that Island being sulphureous, did take fire, and most of it Blew up at the same time; in which general Conflagration, he supposes, those many Mountains of calcin'd Stones which lie up and down the Island, but especially the South-West Parts of it, were cast up; and the greatest Quantity of Sulphur lying about the Center of the Island, rais'd the Pico to that Height, which it now remains at. On the South-West side these calcin'd Rocks lie one upon another from the Top of the Pico to the Sea shore, but very few on the North; so that he supposes the Vulcano chiefly discharg'd it self that way; several of these calcin'd Rocks resemble Iron Ore; some Silver, and others Copper; especially in
the South-West Parts call'd the Azuleios, there are vast Quantities of a blewish Earth, inter∣mix'd with blew Stones, which are cover'd with a yellow Rust, like that of Vitriol or Copper; and he was told, that a Bell-Founder of Orata∣va got pure Gold out of two Horse Loads of Earth; and he was further told by another, that a Lump of Earth brought from the Top of the Mountain, yielded a good Quantity of Sil∣ver. About this Mountain are likewise observ'd, several Vitriolate as well as Nitrous and Martial Springs. To confirm this Notion of the Reason of what he observ'd, he alledges, that the very Tracts of the Torrents of Sulphur which ran down from the Mountain are yet visible, which did so much Damage to the Ground it flow'd upon, that nothing but Fern is able to grow up∣on it. But what seems further to confirm his Account is, The Instance of the Palm Island 15 Leagues from Teneriff, where upon the firing of a Vulcano, the Earth shook terribly, and the Torrents of flaming Sulphur made as loud a Noise as Thunder; and the Light of it made the Rooms as light all Night for six Weeks, as if Candles had been in them, and the Sand was carry'd about in the Wind like Clouds.
But to proceed: What was further observ'd by Mr. Clappham and others, who purposely ascended this Mountain: As soon as they were got a Mile in their Ascent upon the Pico, some of them grew faint and sick, several that ascended were taken with Fluxes and Vomitings, and were Aguish; their Horses, and even their Wine as well as themselves being extreamly cold. When they had ascended a Mile further, they
came to the black Rocks, from whence they travell'd over a white Sand, so hot that it burnt the Skin of a Dog's Feet who went up with Dr. Pugh. When they came to the Top, there were sulphureous Steams copiously ascending and con∣tinually, which were so hot, that they made their Faces sore, and at a little distance appear'd like Smoak.
There was little Alteration in the Wind, till we came to the Top, where it was very im∣petuous. The strong Waters there had lost their Force, but the Wine seem'd rather more Spirituous.
* 3.9Upon the Top is a Pit call'd Caldera, of a Coni∣cal Figure, which is about 80 Yards deep, and a Musquet-shot over; It is cover'd over with loose Stones, Sulphur and Sand, which being stirr'd, very offensive Vapours are rais'd; it is dangerous to go further than 4 or 5 Yards into it, because their Feet are apt to slip from under them. In the Bottom is a sort of clearer Sul∣phur, which looks like Salt upon the Stones.
From hence they could see the Grand Canaries, Palma and Gomera, and Hiero, 20 Leagues di∣stant. When the Sun rose, the Shadow of the Mountain cover'd all betwixt it and the Hori∣zon, so that the Top of it cast it's shade into the Clouds; but when the Sun rose higher, so many Clouds were rais'd, that we could see no∣thing but the Emergent Tops of some Moun∣tains, which to those that are below, sometimes seem to be wrapt about the Pico, and upon North-West Winds foretel a Storm. From the Tops of most of those Mountains very exuberant Springs issue out in great Spouts. At the Foot of the
Sugar-Loaf is a Cave about 10 Yards deep, and 15 broad, having a Hole at the Top 8 Yards o∣ver; opposite to which, in the Bottom, is a round Pit of Water 6 Fathom deep, whose Brink is about a Yard below the Surface of a Bed of Ice which encircles it, the Orifice of which is as broad as the Overture above, so that those that descend into it, are let down by a Rope, and swing to and fro, that they may light upon the Snow. The Water seems to be only melted Ice: From the Top of this Cave Ice-icles hang very plentifully.
The Perpendicular Height of the Pico is ac∣counted two Miles and a half.
* 3.10In all the Passage nothing but Pines grew; and amongst the white Sand, a bushy Broom; and where, in their Ascent they lay all Night, a sort of Cardon, whose Stems are Eight Foot high; the Trunk about half a Foot Thick, e∣very Stem growing in four Squares, and rising from the Ground like Tuffs of Rushes; on the Edges of these grow several red Berries, which by squeezing, yield a poysonous Milk, which fetches the Hair off where it lights on the Skin of any Beast, so that I suppose it to be a kind of Euphorbium. In this Island there likewise grows a Shrub call'd Legnon-vell, which is car∣ry'd to England as a Sweet-Wood. There are growing in this Island also, Apricocks, & Peaches, which bear twice a Year; very fruitful Pear-Trees; Almonds of a tender Shell, Palms, Plantanes, Oranges, Limons, and especially Preg∣nadas, call'd so because each of them carries a small one in it's Belly. Besides these, they have Sugar-Canes, Cotton and Coloquintida, Carna∣tions,
and Roses that blow at Christmass; Sam∣pier covers the Rocks, and Clover the Ground; and another Grass grows near the Sea, which is of a broader Leaf, and so luscious, that it will kill a Horse, tho' no other Cattle: 8 Ears of Wheat have been found to spring from one Root, and a Bushel to yield 130.
The Canary Birds build in the Barrancos of Gills,* 3.11 which the Water hath fretted away in the Mountains, places very cold. They have also Quails and Partridges less than ours; great Wood Pigeons, Turtles at Spring, Crows; and sometimes the Falcon appears from the Coast of Barbary.
They have Goats on the Mountains,* 3.12 and also Hogs and Conies, but their Camels come from Lan∣cerote. Amongst their Fish are the following, viz.
The Cherna,* 3.13 a large well-tasted Fish. The Mero, Dolphin, Shark, Lobsters, Mussels, Pe∣riwinkles, and the Clacas, the best Fish in the World, which grow in the Rocks, 5 or 6 under a Shell, through the Top of which they peep with their Nebs. They have likewise a Fish with 7 Tails, each of which is a Span long united to a short Body, and much resembling our Eel. They have besides these, Turtles, and Cabridos, preferable before our Trouts.
The Island is full of Springs of pure Water like Milk,* 3.14 which in Laguna they strain through a Bason made of a Spungy Stone.
Their Vines are very plentiful.* 3.15
* 3.16Dr. Pugh, who had done some charitable Cures amongst the Antient Inhabitants, called Guanchios, was permitted to visit the Caves where the dead Bodies lie, which are sew'd up in Goats Skins, ve∣ry
curiously and close, with Thongs of the same; which are more soft and pliable than our Kid's Skins: The Preserving of Bodies thus by Embalm∣ing them, was a Custom of a Particular Tribe of Men, who marri'd only amongst themselves, and kept their Art of Embalming to themselves; so that, upon the Conquest of the Spaniards, most of them being destroy'd, the Knowledge they retain of the Ingredients is by Tradition, which is that,
* 3.17They boil in Butter of Goats Milk, which for that Purpose is preserv'd in the Skins.
* 3.18Their Food is Barly roasted and ground be∣twixt two Stones, which they make into Cakes with Milk and Hony, and carry it on their Backs in Goats Skins.
They drink no Wine; nor do they care for Flesh; But are Lean, Tall, very Active and Couragious.
They will leap from one Rock to another,* 3.19 sometimes Ten Fathom deep. Having a Lance which they point at the Place which they design to light on and then when they leap, they clap their Feet to the Lance, which Lance lighting on the Rock first, takes off the Violence of their Fall: Novices often break their Necks in learning. They whistle so loud, they may be heard 5 Miles; and it so affected the Relator's Ears, who was in Company with one of them, that he could not hear well of 15 Days after. Besides, they throw Stones with as much Force as a Bullet goes out of a Gun.
But to return to Mount Teneriff, by one that went to the Top; it was observ'd, that no Snow was on the South side, and tho' it was on the North side, yet it was not within two Miles of the lowest part of the Sugar-Loaf.
He likewise observ'd, that tho' the Sack which they drank at the Top was exceeding cold, and seem'd to have no Effect on them; yet when they came into a thicker Air, two of the Com∣pany were drunk.
Having try'd to fire a Birding-Piece upon the Top of the Mountain, he could not; the Com∣pany that gave the former Relation, say they did. The sulphureous Matter they travell'd o∣ver was so hot, that it burnt two or three pair
of Pumps in pieces in the Journey, tho' their Feet were not sensibly more hot than at other times. In some Regions of the same Mountains it was very hot, and on the other side of the same, very cold. [Queries.]
* 3.20 I Am told by a Traveller, that on the Coast of Genoua, from a high Place he could see Pla∣ces remote, in a Morning, tho' not when the Sun was near the Meridian.
The late King Charles the Second told me, that walking upon the Beack on the Strand by Do∣ver, he unexpectedly discern'd a Coast, which had rising and falling Ground, upon the Virge of the Horizon; and the same was observ'd by the Courtiers that stood by him; but in a little time it disappear'd again, as if it had sunk into the Sea, which Phaenomenon I attributed to this, viz. That that Coast lying but a little too far off to be seen before, the Air interpos'd betwixt His Majesty's Eye and the Shoar, being fill'd with Vapours and subterraneal Steams, was render'd more refractive than before, by the help of which new Refraction, the French Coast which lay be∣yond it, was as if it were lifted up, in reference to the sight, and so became visible as long as that new Refraction lasted; but when those Steams were dissipated, they presently disappear'd: In favour of which Conjecture I alledg'd, that a piece of Gold being laid in the Bottom of a Cup, and the Eye so plac'd, that the Object is but just hid from it, upon pouring in Water, the Object will, without removing the Eye, become
visible. The Surface of the Water, which is a thicker Medium than the Air, refracting the Rays, and changing them from a Perpendicular to an inclin'd Position, so that they are caus'd to fall upon the Pupil.
The Duke of York told me, that he was not a little surpriz'd in Scotland, that contrary to the common Observation, by Country men in other Places, a Morning in which the Sky was red, was succeeded with a fair Day, it being usual in those Parts. It is observ'd, that when the Red∣ness is pretty near the Ground, and appears with narrow streaks intensly red, it signifies bad Wea∣ther; but if it be elevated, and the Wind Easter∣ly, it foretels a fair Day.
Capt. James in his Northern Voyage observ'd, that by Reason of these Refractions, the Sun seem'd to rise 20 Minutes too soon, and to set 20 Minutes too late; and this he learn'd by cal∣culating of it's rising and setting with good run∣ning Glasses, and comparing that Calculation with the Stars when come to their Meridi∣an.
In Poland near Warsaw June, 1669/70 we had clear Weather, and extreme cold, and for two Days we observ'd the Sun and two Parhelions, from near 10 to almost 12 a Clock, yet the Air was free from Clouds, and so clear, that we could perceive Icy Spangles flying in it. And where∣as usually in Frosty Weather, any smooth Iron or rather Metal, being brought into a warm Room out of the open Air, first a Dulness, and then drops of Water will appear in the Glass; at this time there appear'd something like a hoar Frost. Whether subtle Particles of Cold will pe∣netrate polish'd Metal or not, I will not deter∣mine, tho' the sudden Adhesion of ones wet Finger to Iron, seems to favour the Affirma∣tive.
The same Month returning back from Warsaw, I saw the Sun rife with a large Pillar, colour'd like a Rainbow, perpendicular over it, out of a clear Horizon.
In Cornwall it was observ'd, that in driving home Levels or Links, the Waters partaking of the Minerals, are sometimes sanative, and at o∣ther times cause Wounds.
One who travell'd over the Alps observ'd, that in the Clouds below, which seem'd big with
Thunder, something mov'd up and down like a shining Fish in muddy Water, the Lightning appearing through the Cloud. It hath been ob∣serv'd on the Coast at Naples, that in the Morn∣ing at Sun rising a Town which was at some distance off, seem'd to have two Steeples, tho' it really had but one in it; and another Morn∣ing, the Refraction was so strong, that there seem'd to be a very fair Town beyond it, wall'd about; and adorn'd with Towers and Steeples very delightful; which very Town disappear'd when the Sun was rose higher above the Hori∣zon.
A dry blighting East Wind, which Country People call a red Wind, causes an Opacity or Thickness of the Air, like Vapours, which con∣tinuing for two Years together, not only blast∣ed the Fruit, but the Leaves of the Trees just in the Tender. Mr. J. T.
That the Air is sometimes Clear and Transpa∣rent, and sometimes darker and more clogg'd with terrestrial Steams, is a common Observa∣tion. But it hath been sometimes observ'd in Russia, that in a clear frosty Air, the Stars have appear'd to be much more Numerous than at o∣ther times.
Captain James hath observ'd, in Charlton Islands, which, tho' of the same Latitude with Cambridge almost, is but little warmer than Nova Zembla; that in January the Firmament appear'd fuller of Stars by two Thirds than be∣fore; The Cloud in Cancer appearing full of Stars, and a great many small ones amongst the Pleiades: But the Moon rising about Ten a Clock, a quarter of them was not to be seen; the Wind
for most part of the Month being Northerly and very cold: And the like hath been observ'd by the Russian Emperor's Physician.
The Duke of York, when he was High Com∣missioner in Scotland, sent me word that he had observ'd the Sky so clear, that the Stars afford∣ed Light enough to read by; and that several Fleaks of Light extended themselves from the Horizon, like so many Tails of Blazing Stars; and passing betwixt Charles's Wain and the North Star, seem'd to terminate over our Heads: This was observ'd in December.
* 3.21IT is generally believ'd by those, that judge of things by their Senses, that since the Air is an invisible Body, it acts only upon others, by it's manifest Qualites, viz. Heat and Moisture: But I am apt to believe, that it hath other Fa∣culties, amongst which, some may be call'd Ge∣nerative and Restorative, and others Corruptive; and that not only in respect of Animals, and o∣ther Bodies of a slighter Texture, but also of Salts and Minerals.
It hath been observ'd, that when Cheshire Cheeses have been carry'd from hence to the East-Indies, without being kept in leaden Boxes fitted to them; those that have been cut under the Line, were dry on the outside, but unctuous and soft in the Middle, as if all the oyly Parts
wanting in the outside, were shrunk back thi∣ther. But those that were cut when they had pass'd the Torrid Zone, and came into the Temperate Zone, were uniform and good e∣nough.
It is observ'd, that in Peru as well as Aegypt, where it seldom rains, that Bodies are not sub∣ject to corrupt. In the Country last mention'd it is likewise observ'd, that the Air abounds with Nitre.
It hath been observ'd, that under the Line, not only Biskets have been alter'd, but that most of the Meat, and even Salt Meat hath been much impair'd; but that their Water which was fresh, would be as clear and sweet as when first put into the Casks.
Silk Stuffs that have been brought to Jamaica, I am told, have rotted without losing their Co∣lour, by being expos'd to the Air.
* 3.22A Piece of Limon having been kept a Year and some Months in a Receiver, with a mercurial Gage; it kept it's Colour pretty well, as well as it's shapes, except, that, the upper side was a little depress'd, the Liquor which fill'd it up before stagnating upon a Glass Plate, which was adapted to the Receiver. When the Receiver was open'd, the external Air rush'd in with a considerable Noise; whence it was evi∣dent,
that all the Air the Limon had yielded in that time, was not sufficient to fill the Cavity of the Receiver. Neither the Limon nor the Juice were mouldy or ill tasted; so that it made me think, that Mouldiness cannot be well produc'd without a Concurrence of the Air. The Liquor was acid, but clear and without Faeces, being of a Colour betwixt brown and red: It turned Syrup of Violets into a Purple Colour, and cor∣roded Fragments of red Coral in the Cold.
It hath been observ'd, that Lozenges, which a Scholar frequently carry'd in his Pockets, were dissolv'd when he came near the Line; but recover'd their old Consistence, when much past it.
* 3.23IN drawing Copper out of deep Mines in Sweedland, I am inform'd, they use Ropes made of Leather, Links of Iron being subject to break with the Coldness of the Air and the Weight of the Ore.
It hath been observ'd, that Glasses kept half a Year, tho' well neal'd, have broke in pieces, and froze of themselves; the Cracks partly de∣pending on some Particles of Salt, which had not undergone a sufficient Comminution.
I am told, there is a House in Suffolk near the Sea, in which, tho' it is but 8 Years old, the Iron Bars are swell'd, and so rotten that they'll
crimble away; The Winds which blew upon those Windows in which they were being South∣ward; and I am likewise told, that Iron Bars drench'd in Sea Water, and after expos'd to the Air, were so far impair'd, that when hammer'd, great Flakes would fly off them.
Purbeck and Blechington-stone will moulder a∣way in the Air; But those dug up at Painswick, near Gloucester, will, by being expos'd to the Air, change their Primary Softness for a Crust∣hard and Glassy Marble, which penetrates but a little way into it's Substance, but is generated sooner, the oftner it is wash'd.
CAndles which burn in Grooves furnish'd with Air Shafts, will sometimes continue burning 8 Fathom deep or more. When they come into close Ground, tho' Candles will burn for a while, yet when the Dust rises, they go out.
THE burning of Candles, &c. under a Glass Bell, as also Spirit of Wine, Matches, Touch-Wood, Sponck, &c. The keeping of A∣nimals under a Glass Bell, whilst the Flame is burning.
The burning of Bodies to Ashes in sealed Glasses, as also in exactly clos'd Receivers; Cot∣ton burnt in a seal'd Glass.
The burning of a Mixture of Flames under Water in an E. R. as also of a saline Substance, and likewise of Salt Petre.
A Pistol not firing in an E. R. An Experiment of burning Gunpowder.
The burning of Spirit of Wine and Oyl of Turpentine in Glass Vessels with slender Necks.
* 3.24RAisins being enclos'd in an exhausted Bolt∣head half full of Water, and set on a di∣gestive Furnace, presently began to ferment; and swimming upon the Liquor afforded Bubbles, which were gradually fewer; and at last a Sedi∣ment appeard in the Bottom. The Top of the Bottle being accidentally broke, the External Air rush'd in with some Noise, and the Surface of the Liquor was cover'd with Froth like Bottle Drink, and I thought I perceiv'd a visible Fume come out of the Glass, which had a Languid Smell. The Liquor had a high Tincture of the Raisins, and was of a better Consistence than that of Water.
* 3.25SOur Grapes having lain 3 Years in Vacuo, were not mouldy; but the Surface of the uppermost was discolour'd with a Tartarous Efflorescence. The Grains had a musty Smell; but the Liquor tasted Acid, and would corrode Coral in the Cold. The Gage scarce discover'd any Air produc'd.
In Madrid I am told, tho' they throw their Excrements into the Streets in the Night, yet the stink is not very much the next Day; nor will dead Animals stink long there.
LArge Pieces of Oranges having been three Years included in Vacuo, their Rinds were, on their Surface, almost black; they yielded ve∣ry little Liquor; being neither mouldy nor pu∣trid.
MR. Nickson told me, that Meat might be preserv'd in frosty Weather, all Win∣ter without Salt; but, if drest when froze, would not relish well.
* 3.26THE Air influences Colours so much on black Taffety, that in Brasil, after it
hath been worn a few days, it becomes of an Ironish Colour; but if it be kept from the Air, the Colour fades not.
In a Particular Region in Brazil, 50 Leagues beyond Parigna, White People turn Tawny; but a little beyond that, they recover their Co∣lour again.
Upon Charlton Island, there is a sort of Birds call'd Partridges, which are white in the Winter, and gray in the Summer.
I Am told, that most Trees in Jamaica acquire a Greenness, when newly cut down, on that Part which is most expos'd to the Air; and that Lignum Vitae, when green, is as soft as Oak. Several Trees which are soft when cut down, afterwards grow hard; especially the Cabbage-Tree, which presently hardens, and the Pith rotting out, it serves for a Pipe about 100 Foot long, which will not corrupt under Ground, but grows as hard as Iron.
The Juice of Aloes Plants, which in the Island of St. Jago was clammy, bitter, and of a dark Co∣lour; under the Line lost it's Bitterness, and ac∣quir'd a green Colour.
Stains are most easily got out of Linnen, at those times of the Year, when the Fruit with which they were stain'd flourish.
ONE Part of Lapis Calaminaris being mix'd with four of Salt-Petre, was kept some hours in a vehement Heat in a Crucible, by which means the Matter being alkaliz'd, Water was pour'd upon it, which made a muddy red Tincture; which being set in a Wide-mouth'd Glass in a Window, it became green and more diaphanous than before; but in a few Days, it became a transparent Liquor, a Powder subsiding which was red like Brick-dust.
Spirit of Vinegar receiv'd no Tincture from Copper boil'd in it; but being expos'd to the Air in a broad Glass, in which part of the Fi∣lings were not cover'd with the Menstruum, some acquir'd a greenish blew Colour; but those Fi∣lings which were quite cover'd with the Men∣struum, acquir'd no such Colour, till by evapo∣rating it, they were expos'd to the Air.
A Solution of Sal Armoniack in Water, be∣ing pour'd on Filings of Copper, contain'd in a slender Viol, and on another parcel contain'd in a Wide-mouth'd Glass, that in the latter was much more tinged than the other; And what was remarkable was, that tho' the lower Part of the Solution was of a deep Blew, yet it was cover'd with a Film of a differing Blew, like that of the finer sort of Turcoices.
Three Drops of Spr. Sal Armon. being put upon two distinct parcels of Filings of Copper, which were on two pieces of brown Paper; one was expos'd to the Air, and the other shut up in Vacuo; that in the open Air tinged the Paper with a Blew, the other remain'd ¼ of an hour without any Effect; but when it had been ex∣pos'd to the Air as the other, it tinged it Blew.
A yellow Urinous Spirit of the Lees of Wine, having Filings of Copper thrown into it, drew from them a pleasant green Tincture, which in a few days became yellow; but by being expos'd to the Air, it turn'd green again; yet regain'd it's Yellowness when it had been shut up for some time. I have sometimes observ'd, that tho' by being, kept from the Air, this Tincture would lose it's Greenness, yet it would sometimes re∣new it again, without being expos'd to the out∣ward Air.
Spirit of Amber extracted a green Colour from Filings of Copper. And tho' Spirit of Ho∣ny uses to turn Blew, when expos'd to the Air, yet this Evening it continu'd yellow an hour. And I have observ'd, that tho' a Tincture often vary'd it's Colour, being sometimes Colourless, and at other times of a deep Blew, yet ano∣ther Bottle, which contain'd the same Mixture, did not so.
It hath been observ'd about a Mountain in Wales, that there are several Stones, which tho' of a Rusty dark Colour, yet when ex∣pos'd to the Air, in a few years they become white.
Mercurius Sublimatus Dulcis and Vitriolum Ro∣manum, being kept in Papers apart near two Years, the Sublimate look'd like Antimony, and the Superficies of the Vitriol had acquir'd the same Colour.
* 3.27THE Heat and Moisture of the Air in Gui∣nea, hath been observ'd so much to pro∣mote Putrefaction, that Maggots were found in white Sugar; several Drugs have lost their Vir∣tues; and Ointments became verminous: And in the Island St. Jago, the sweet Meats contract∣ed such a Moisture in one Night, that they were forc'd to dry them in the Sun.
The Oxford Air being generally moist, agrees not with splenetick Bodies. Mr. J. T.
Air too dry, tho' hot, produces not divers Insects, such as white Snails and Fleas, which are bred in wet Summers.
* 3.28OBservandum etiam quod Antimonium Diapho∣reticum quocun{que} modo, sive cum solo Nitro aut addito etiam Tartaro, paratum sit, tractu Tempo∣ris Aeri expositum, pravam ac quasi malignam in∣duat Naturam, sumptum{que} intra, Cordis & angu∣stias, Cardialgias, Lipothymias, vomitus{que} simi∣lia prava symptomata procreet, quae facile tamen evitabimus, si vel singulis diebus vel tribus Mensi∣bus recenter illud conficiamus, vel jam paratum Antimonium Diaphoreticum vetustum, addita por∣tiuncula Nitri, aut etiam abs{que} Nitro per unam vel alteram horam, Vulcano tradamus penitus{que} ignia∣mus, iterum{que} si Nitrum additum fuerit, edulco∣remus, & parumper reverberemus. Zwelf. p. 800.
The Earth of Aegypt preserv'd dry, at the 17th of June begins to increase it's Weight, which still increases more as the River aug∣ments.
Ceruss of Antimony, I am told, as well as Ant. Diaphoret. acquir'd a vomitive Quality, tho kept in a stopp'd Glass long.
Those Pots which are made of Earth, which hath lain 4 or 5 Years dry, bear Fire best; and it is observ'd, that those Bricks which lie at the Tops of Brick-kills, bear Weather worst, being not so well burnt as the others.
* 3.29IT hath been observ'd, that that side of the Pyrenean Mountains, which respects France, is flourishing and verdant, tho' at the same time, the other side which respects Spain, is barren, and looks dismally, being blasted and parch'd with noxious Winds.
* 3.30 DE vita igitur ac morte, & iis pene omnibus quae huic considerationi affinia sunt, dictum est. De sanitate verò morboque non solum Medici, sed & Physici est, causas quadantenus referre. Quatenus verò hi differant, & quatenus diversa contemplantur ignorare non convenit. Equidem quòd confinis sit quadantenus haec Medici Physicique Tra∣ctatio, & res ipsa testatur. Nam & Medici, qui∣cunque paulò elegantiores & diligentiores sunt, de natura dicunt, & artis sua principia inde sumere dignantur; & Physici omnes fere, qui concinnitatis aliquid habent, tractationem naturae usque ad medi∣cinam persequuntur. Aristot. de Respirat. cap. 21. & parag. 87.
The Temperature of the Air depends on subterraneal and terrestrial Steams mix'd with the Air, and shuffled amongst one another.
The last great Plague was foretold by one who had a great Swelling in his Groin the Year before, the like having happen'd to the same Man once before.
That there are Changes in the Air which de∣pend on the Motion of it barely, I am perswa∣ded, not only because it ventilates those places it passes through when in Motion, and drives away stagnant Air; but I am told that in Lan∣guedoc, that if, when the Silk-Worms had eaten their fill, it happen'd to Thunder, the Air being put into a disturb'd Motion, the weakest of them would die.
Several Horses being let down a third part of the way into Mines 1000 Foot deep, some of them dy'd; but others surviv'd, and were there employ'd without any inconveniency to Respi∣ration, tho' the Receptacles they wrought in were furnish'd with Air, only from the Groove by a moderately big Shaft: I am told, the deepest Mine in Bohemia is 2000 Foot deep.
I am inform'd by one who liv'd at Tripoli and Guinea, that the Air is not constantly unhealth∣ful there, but that the Men are sometimes sud∣denly taken with Fluxes and Fevers, which fre∣quently kills in 48 hours.
The Air in Russia in the Winter when the North Wind blows, is too thick for Respira∣tion; And I am likewise inform'd, that when our Europaeans pass the Line, all the Lice about them ascend into their Heads, but disperse them∣selves again when they have pass'd the Equa∣tor
a good way; but they usually die under the Equator.
It it observ'd, that in Scotland Agues are ve∣ry rare, tho' at the same time they are very rife in England.
Aer autem corrigitur causa corruptionis ablata, & quod jam inductum est mali extinguendo;* 3.31 si igitur ex nimio humore Aer putrescit, ignibus ac∣censis qui omni putredini remedio sunt, exsiccandus, sic ignes, per vias & domus fiant ex odoratis plan∣tis, qualis Laurus est, Mirtus, Pinus, Cupressus, Ros∣marinus, & reliquae ejus generis, qua ratione pe∣stem Athenis Hippocrates extinxit; vapores praete∣rea maligni per Aerem sparsi, dissipandi sunt, id quod à magnis ventis fieri solet. Sic Olysiponi, cum trium dierum ingens procella venisset pestis extincta nuper est; in Maroco ingens pestilentia vento quodam evanuit; qui veluti è fornace (adeo calidus erat) exire videbatur, Aerem autem nos imitando ventos commovere poterimus, si bom∣bardarum strepitus fieri curemus; si verò vapo∣res ex paludibus, ac stagnantibus aquis fieri vi∣dentur; eas resiccare aut novare oportet frequenter, maximè per aestatem. Renovantur autem novis su∣pervenientibus aquis quas è fluminibus per canales traducere oportet; aut siccandae sunt factis rivulis, & fossis per quae superfluant ad flumina; quod cum primus magnus Etruriae Dux Cosmus Pisis fecisset, & magna animi contentione, tunc faciat Ferdinan∣dus, factum est, ut saluberrimus ejus urbis Aer per omne anni tempus sit redditiis; verum si cadaverum inhumatorum multitudo Aerem inficit; magna & profunda facta fovea sepeliantur, si ab immunditie, & excrementis, quae per urbem domos sparguntur, id quod, ut reor Bisantii, & Olysiponi, in causa
ect, cur pestis adeo saeviat, ac duret, mundare opor∣tet omnia; viae ac domus quotidiè, vel saltem se∣mel in septimanâ repurgandae.
1. Joh. Beguinus in Tyrocin. Chimic. lib. 2. cap. 13.Dignum admiratione est, quod quamvis in viciniâ Hydriae Comitatûs Goriciensis, ubi re∣peritur copiose Mercurius, singulis ferè annis Lues pestifera grassatur, illa tamen semper immunis ab hac manere soleat, idque viri provectae aetatis se ob∣servasse, & à majoribus suis accepisse, mihi sanctè confirmarunt. Hinc patet, Mercurium esse sum∣mum omnis putredinis ac corruptionis alexiphar∣macum. 2 Michael Majerus in lusu de Mercu∣rio. Argentum vivum est plurimorum morborum alexipharmacum, & ut testantur quidam, ipsius Pestis (cum eo loco ubi Mercurius effoditur, & tractatur, nunquam aut rarissimè hoc Contagium grassetur) dummodo maneat in suâ propriâ natu∣râ, & non à salibus aut aquis corrosivis inficia∣tur, ac venenosus reddatur.
Several Clove Trees growing in the Island of Ternate, in the East-Indies, after they were all cut down, it was very unhealthful, the Exha∣lations from them being wanting to correct the noxious Steams of a neighbouring Vulcan. So that tho' the Inhabitants of Batavia formerly resorted thither for Health's sake, they now are some of them forc'd to go to supply the Defi∣ciency of men, which the Unhealthiness of the Place makes, to supply their Garrisons.
It is observ'd at Tangier, that new Comers are usually feverish for some time, especially if the East Wind blows.
Several Ants included in a Receiver, ran a∣bout till it was exhausted, and then lay as dead, but recover'd when Air was let in again, two or three times successively.
* 3.32 Si Patrono queste barche dalla costa della pescaria, e vanno all isola di Ceilam, nella costa della quale per la lunghezza di venti miglia, tre sole miglia lontane da terra, sette braccia abbasso arrivando sino alli dieci nel fondo, si ritrova infinita quanta di madreperle, escono per questa pesca le barche la matina col vento di terra, & arrivando al posto delle madreperle, gettare l'ancore, e fermaresi in quel posto, cominciano a tuftarsi nel mare i mari∣nari, de quali ogni barca ne ha quindeci, e venti, e ciascuno di essisi lega nel mezzo, con una fuc, della quale ha cura uno, che resta in barca e con un' altra fune legandosi una pietra alla gamba, un' altro ha pure cura di quella, e cingendosi un' sacco di cuoio dinanzi, mettendosi le guante alle mani, cosi legato si tufta con violenza nel mare, lentan∣do quelli le funi, e col peso della Pietra, va con grandiss' violenza giu, & arrivato ch' e, scioltasi dalla gamba quella fune, con la quale sta legata la pietra, resta egli libero, & la pietra viene subito tirata soprada quello, che n' ha cura, et il mari∣naro poi comincia con molta sollecitudine à pigli∣are quelle madreperle, che li vengono dinanzi, e le mette nel sacco, e sentendosi mancare la respi∣ratione, tocca la fune, con la quale sta legato nel mezzo, e quello subito con grandiss' velocita lo tira et arrivando nella barca, scaricando le madre per∣le ripiglia fiato, e dopo torna a legarsi di nuovo la pietra, e dinuovo si tufta come sopra's 'e detto, e sempre cosi per tutta la giornata. Et è tanto
faticosa questa pesca, eh' essendo, tanto profunde le Madre perl nel mare, molti mancando loro la respiratione si trovano affogati.
In the Island Johanna it is observed, that if a Stranger lies all Night there, he will die of a Putrid Fever in a few days; but tho' they go but a Mile upon the Sea every night in a Boat, they are generally safe. The Island is very hot in the Day, but cold after Sun-set; and it is suppos'd, that the Unhealthfulness of the Place depends on Exhalations which plentifully arise from a vast Number of Plants that grow in the Island, which being condens'd at Night, infect the Mass of Blood. There is one Hill in the Island very high, which is seldom ever free from Fogs or Clouds, which vary in their Height ac∣cording as the Weather alters.
On the Coast of Cormandel, and most Mari∣time Places of the East-Indies, there are some∣times such Fogs, that the Inhabitants for the time, are forc'd to keep the Windows and Doors of their Houses fast shut, there being at those times little or no commerce, tho' the Weather is very hot.
At Balassore in the Bay of Bengale, and o∣ther Places of that Country, after great Raius the Air is so much corrupted, that the Smell is very nauseous to the Inhabitants, which may be occasion'd by a great number of Frogs, left on dry places after Inundations, and putrify'd by the Heat of the Sun. At that time there is great Mortality amongst the Natives, chiefly by vio∣lent Fevers.
When sick People are set on shore at St. He∣lena, they are generally much better in a few days, tho' before they were very weak.
Le chemin plus court de Mosul a Bagdad, est par la Mesopotamie; mais on n'y trouve aucun Vil∣lage, & le Samiel y regne tout l'Eté depuis Mo∣sul jusques a Sourat; ce qui oblige a prendre l'eau, sur le Tigre où ce vent ne Soussle point. Le nom de ce vent et composé des mots, Sam et jel, c'est a dire poison et vent comme qui diroit vent de poison, Ce pourroit être le vent urens, dom parle Job xxvii. 21. Lorsque quelqu'un a respiré ce vent, il tombe mort subitement quoi qu' il en ait quelques uns qui ont le temps de dire qu' ils brûlent au dedans. D' abord qu' on est mort, on devient tout noir, et si on tire le mort par le bras où par la jambe où par un autre endroit la chair quite les os et reste entre les mains de ceux qui la touchent. Thevenot dans le Bibliotheque Ʋniversel Tom. xiii. p. 266.
Dr. Collins told me, that in Muscovy their Horses are subject to a very foul Disease, from which they defend them by keeping Goats in their Stables.
The Plague generally at Smyrna, but especi∣ally Aleppo, at the End of June, or the begin∣ning of July, degenerates into other Distem∣pers, the infectious Particles of the Air, then being dissipated, and depriv'd of their per∣nicious Qualities. For a like Reason the Of∣fensive Smoak of a Candle being further rarifi'd by the Application of Smoak, loses it's ill Scent and other ill Qualities; besides, it may be fur∣ther offer'd, that the Heat of the Summer, may
raise other saline Effluvia from the Earth, which mixing with the former, may correct and alter their infectious Qualities. And as for the Rea∣son why the same does not happen at other places as well as Smyrna, it may be answer'd, that the Concurrence of Causes may be the Rea∣son of the Difference, since some Soils may emit Pestilential Vapours with a sleight Heat, which others may correct when rais'd by a greater; for a like Reason to which, the Plague in Grand Cairo ceases, the Earth, upon the swelling of the River Nile, emitting Nitrous Vapours, which correct the Pestilential ones.
To shew, that the Qualities of the Air may be very much alter'd by the supervening Cold∣ness or Heat of it, I shall alledge the fol∣lowing Experiment, viz. That equal parts of Allum and Nitre, being dissolv'd in the same Portion of Water, when the Liquor was pretty well evaporated, and an earthen Vessel which contain'd it, was set in the Cold, the Alum was first coagulated into several octoedrical Grains, and upon a further Evaporation, at the last the Nitre shot into very fine little Crystals, of a Figure natural to such Salts. From whence we may conjecture, that several Salts which act joyntly, may be so separated by supervening Qualities in the Air, as to act separately.
A Mouse lived ten Minutes with a Quarter of Air, and three afterwards.
IT hath been observ'd, in the Country of Campen, that Rain falling into Pits, which were dug to a sort of Quicksand, would in a little time form a Clay, which skilfully hand∣led, would yield good Iron. The Waters in that Country are obser'd to leave a strong Matter at the Bottom when distilled, notwithstanding the Rectification.
Quicquid erit, sine fuco significat, velut Rot∣tenburg,* 3.33 Silesiae compastum appellant, perinde Milessow Temporum prognostes, jure merito dici potest. Vidi ex proximo totum aliquando Montem densissimis Nebulis contectum, eà prorsus Imagine, qua Mons Sinai Moyse in Ne∣bula latente depingitur, at caeteri circum Mon∣tes, innubes & hilares velut rerum gerendarum ignari stabant. Sol ipse formosissimus ibat; at accolae locorum domum fugiebant, pecora urge∣bant, meque, ut domum protinus reciperem, pro∣perarem, & equos currum trahentes concitari ju∣berem
monebant, ne{que} horae quadrans intercessit, jam Coelum obduci, Sol contegi, cripi omnis aspectus.
Diluit, implentur fossae, & quae Divinus Poeta prosequitur. At contra etiam accidere vidi, ut caeteri fumárint Montes, Milessow ni∣hil se commovente, nihil aut Nubilum, aut turbidum minanse; Incolae rogati, nihil esse magnopere timendum à caeteris spondebant, hunc unum intuendum esse, horum Nubila om∣nia à Milessow quodammodo devorari.
ON cerit de l'Isle en Flandres le 25 May; style nouveau, qu'il tombe dans cette vil∣le la une graisle dout les moindres grains estoi∣ent comme des oeufs de Pigeon. Cet orage a passé sur la Citadelle & la ville, & na pas laissé une vitre entiere du coste du vent: les maisons sont toutes decouvertes, & les arbres rompus, les bleds coupez, & les perdrix & les lieures morts. On a pese plusieurs grains de cette graisle, dout les uns estoient d'un quarteron, de d emi livre, de trois quarterons, et les plus gros d'une livre & d'avantage. Il y en avoit un entr' autres qui avoit dans le milieu une espece de matiere brune qu'ou mit dans le feu, qui fit faire un grand bruit. Il y en avoit un, qui estoit diaphane, lequel estant mis aupres du
feu, fondit tout aussi tost comme du plomb, quoy qu'il fut beaucoup plus dur que les autres.
EO ipso anno quo Dux Eboracensis postre∣mo rediit e Scotia Londinum, depluere tan∣ta copia pisciculi halecibus colore, figurà, sa∣pore quam simillimi in superiori Gallocidiae in Scötia parte non procul à mari, ut duo terrae jugera ad Robertum Murray de Brughton equi∣tem pertinentia nunc Londini, ut audio, de∣gentem, cooperuerint. Rem autem totam se∣renissimo Duci Eboracensi prius de eadem ab eo interrogatus, quod tum certior aliis de hâc plu∣via factus esset, tanquam testis oculatus, ut qui aliquos horum pisciculorum videram, confir∣mavi: is porro ingeniosissime, summâque veri specie nodum ita solvit, ut diceret hos piscicu∣los unà cum aquis furentium ventorum gyro in turbinem actis evectos esse nubes, è quibus non procul inde pondere rursus suo relapsi fuerint in vicinam terram.
Promiscuous Experiments and Observations of the Air.
Desiderata in the History of the Air, and Proposals towards supplying them.
What we understand by Air.
Of the Na∣ure of the Air.
Aerem va: lide com∣primere aur dilatare.
Concerning the Produ∣ction of the Air.
Air genera∣ted by a mixture of Oyl of Vi∣triol and Filings of Steel.
Flower moi∣sten'd with Water.
Raisins in∣cluded in Vacuo with Water.
Air shut up in Oyl of Turpentine and Spring Water.
Frog's Spawn:
Of the Air's Moisture and Dry∣ness.
Of Clouds, Mists and Fogs.
Of Terre∣strial Efflu∣via.
Jcournal des S avary, III. 1685.
Of the Salts in the Air.
Several ways to discover the Nature of the Salts in the Air.
Agricola de re Metal. Lib. 12.
Of Sulphur and Inflam∣mable Mat∣ter, &c.
Voyage de Levant. page 203.
Celestical Effluvia in the Air
Storms of Wind.
Of the Air as the Me∣dium of Sounds.
The Weight of a cubical Inch of Wa∣ter.
Of Quick∣silver.
Of a Pil∣lar of the Atmosphe∣re.
See Plate 6. Fig. 4.
An Ac∣count of Minedeep Gruffs.
See Plate 7 Fig. 4.
Of the Con∣sistency of the Air, &c.
Petri Bello∣nii, lib. 1. cap. 16.
Jacobi Za∣barelli de-Regionibus Aeris, c. 8.
Balbini Hist. Bohem. l. 1. c. 9. Demon∣tibus, & de valle Lau∣ezka, p. 29. Chanow∣sky in ve∣stigio Boh. piae, C. ult. Montes par∣te eltera ae∣statem, al∣tera hic∣mem re∣ferentes.
Id. Ibid.
A relation of Mount Teneriff.
Thoughts concerning the cause of it's stupen∣dous Bulk.
An account of the Pico.
Trees and Plants, &c.
Birds.
Beasts, &c.
Fish.
Springs.
Vines.
Customs of the Inha∣•…•…ants.
Of the Em∣balming of Bodies.
Their Food.
Activity.
Of the Air in reference to Light, ctc.
The Effects of Air on Animal Substances.
The Effects of the Air on consistent Bodies.
The Effects of the Air on mineral Substances.
Of the Air in reference to Fermen∣tation:
Of the Ef∣fects of Air on Odours.
Of the Ef∣fects of Air on Colours.
The Effects of the Air in producing Putrefacti∣on.
Less obvious Qualities introduc'd into Mine∣rals.
The Effects of the Air in respect of generation.
The Effects of the Air in respect of Generation.
Roderici Fonf. de Sanit tuend. pag. 105, 106.
Relatione della Pro∣vincia di Malavar. pag. 64 & 65.
L. 1. c. 8. De mont. Bohemtae, p. 26. A Milessow monte tem∣porum prae∣sagia capi∣untur.
Virg.