Front Matter

The only official reprint authorized by The Royal Society of London Printed in U.S.A. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS, GIVING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE Present Undertakings, Studies, and Labours, OF THE INGENIOUS, IN MANY Considerable Parts of the WORLD. VOL. LXIV. PART I. LONDON: Printed for LOCKYER DAVIS, in Holbourn, Printer to the Royal Society. M.DCC.LXXIV. ADVERTISEMENT. The Committee appointed by the Royal Society to direct the publication of the Philosophical Transactions, take this opportunity to acquaint the Public, that it fully appears, as well from the council-books and journals of the Society as from repeated declarations, which have been made in several former Transactions, that the printing of them was always, from time to time, the single act of the respective Secretaries, till the Forty-seventh Volume. And this information was thought the more necessary, not only as it had been the common opinion, that they were published by the authority, and under the direction, of the Society itself; but also, because several authors, both at home and abroad, have in their writings called them the Transactions of the Royal Society. Whereas in truth the Society, as a body, never did interest themselves any further in their publication, than by occasionally recommending the revival of them to some of their Secretaries, when, from the particular circumstances of their affairs, the Transactions had happened for any length of time to be intermitted. And this seems principally to have been done with a view to satisfy the Public, that their usual meetings were then continued for the improvement of knowledge, and benefit of mankind, the great ends of their first institution by the Royal Charters, and which they have ever since steadily pursued. But the Society being of late years greatly enlarged, and their communications more numerous, it was thought adviseable, that a Committee of their members should be appointed to reconsider the papers read before them, and select out of them such, as they should judge most proper for publication in the future Transactions; which was accordingly done upon the 26th of March 1752. And the grounds of their choice are, and will continue to be, the importance and singularity of the subjects, or the advantageous manner of treating them; without pretending to answer for the certainty of the facts, or propriety of the reasonings, reasonings, contained in the several papers so published, which must still rest on the credit or judgment of their respective authors. It is likewise necessary on this occasion to remark, that it is an established rule of the Society, to which they will always adhere, never to give their opinion, as a body, upon any subject, either of Nature or Art, that comes before them. And therefore the thanks, which are frequently proposed from the chair, to be given to the authors of such papers, as are read at their accustomed meetings, or to the persons through whose hands they receive them, are to be considered in no other light than as a matter of civility, in return for the respect shewn to the Society by those communications. The like also is to be said with regard to the several projects, inventions, and curiosities of various kinds, which are often exhibited to the Society; the authors whereof, or those who exhibit them, frequently take the liberty to report, and even to certify in the public newspapers, that they have met with the highest applause and approbation. And therefore it is hoped, that no regard will hereafter be paid to such reports, and public notices; which in some instances have been too lightly credited, to the dishonour of the Society. At a COUNCIL, January 28, 1773. Resolved, That after Volume LXII. the Philosophical Transactions be published twice in a year; the first publication to be of the months of November and December of the preceding year, and January and February of the current year, as soon as may be after February, under the name of the "first part" of the volume: and the second publication to be of the remaining months unto the recess of the Society, as soon as may be after the recess, under the name of the "second part" of the volume. CONTENTS TO VOL. LXIV. PART I. I. Observations on the Solar Spots. By Alexander Wilson, M.D. Professor of Practical Astronomy in the University of Glasgow. Communicated by the Rev. Nevil Maskelyne, Astronomer Royal. II. Astronomical Observations by the Missionaries at Pekin. Transmitted to the Supra-cargoes at Canton, by the Rev. Father Louis Cipolla, of the Tribunal of Mathematics, and communicated to the Royal Society by the Court of Directors of the East-India Company. III. The Lunar Eclipse, October 11, 1772, observed at Canton. Communicated by John Blake, Esq. of Parliament-Street. IV. Experiments on Dying Black, by Mr. James Clegg, of Redivales, near Bury. In a Letter to Dr. Percival. V. Observations on the State of Population in Manchester, and other adjacent Places. By T. Percival, cival, M. D. F. R. S. and S. A. Communicated by the Rev. Dr. Price. P. 54 VI. Observations on the Bill of Mortality, in Chester, for the Year 1772. By L. Haygarth, M. D. p. 67 VII. Electrical Experiments by Mr. Edward Nairne, of London, Mathematical Instrument-maker, made with a Machine of his own Workmanship, a Description of which is prefixed. P. 79 VIII. On the noxious Quality of the Effluvia of putrid Marshes. A Letter from the Rev. Joseph Priestley, LL. D. F. R. S. to Sir John Pringle. p. 90 IX. Farther Proofs of the Insalubrity of marshy Situations, by the Rev. Richard Price, D. D. F. R. S. in a Letter to the Rev. Dr. Horsley. p. 96 X. Of the Culture and Uses of the Son or Sun-plant, of Hindostan, with an Account of the manner of manufacturing the Hindostan Paper. By Lieutenant Colonel Ironside. Communicated by Dr. Heberden. P. 99 XI. An Improvement proposed in the cross Wires of Telescopes, by A. Wilson, M. D. Professor of Practical Astronomy in the University of Glasgow. In a Letter to the Astronomer Royal. P. 105 XII. The Case of a Patient voiding Stones through a fistulous Sore in the Loins, without any concomitant Discharge of Urine by the same Passage: In a Letter to Dr. Maty, from Mr. S. F. Simmons. P. 108 XIII. The Disparition of Saturn's Ring, observed by Joseph Varelaz, Lieutenant of the Royal Navy of the King of Spain, and Professor of Mathematics, in the Academy of Guard-Marine at Cadiz. In a Letter to Dr. Morton. P. 112 XIV. Of XIV. Of the Gillaroo Trout. A Letter from the Hon. Daines Barrington, F. R. S. to the Rev. Dr. Horsley. p. 116 XV. Account of the Stomach of the Gillaroo Trout, by H. Watson, F. R. S. In a Letter to Sir John Pringle. p. 121 XVI. A Description of a petrified Stratum, formed from the Waters of Matlock, in Derbyshire. By Mathew Dobson, M. D. Communicated by Dr. Fothergill. p. 124 XVII. Remarks on the Aurora Borealis. By J. S. Winn. In a Letter to Dr. Franklin. p. 128 XVIII. Experiments concerning the different Efficacy of pointed and blunted Rods, in securing Buildings against the Stroke of Lightning. By William Henley, F. R. S. p. 133 XIX. Remarks upon a Passage in Castillione's Life of Sir Isaac Newton. By John Winthorp, L.L.D. Hollisian Professor of Mathematics, at Cambridge, in New England. p. 153 XX. M. De Luc's Rule for measuring Heights by the Barometer, reduced to the English Measure of Length, and adapted to Fahrenheit's Thermometer, and other Scales of Heat, and reduced to a more convenient Expression. By the Rev. N. Maskelyne, F. R. S. Astronomer Royal. p. 158 XXI. A Letter to the Astronomer Royal from Samuel Holland, Esq. Surveyor General of Lands for the Northern District of America, containing some Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites, observed near Quebec. p. 171 XXII. Observations of the Immersions and Emerusions of the Satellites of Jupiter, taken in the Year 1768, by by Ensign George Sproule, of his Majesty's 59th Regiment, on the South Point of the Entrance of Gaspee Bason, which bears from Cape Ferrilong, or the Cape forming the Bay to the Northward, N. 68½ W. by the true Meridian, distant 12½ Marine Miles. Communicated by the Astronomer Royal. XXIII. Astronomical Observations made by Samuel Holland, Esquire, His Majesty's Surveyor General of Lands for the Northern District of North America, for ascertaining the Longitude of several Places in the said District. Communicated by the Astronomer Royal. XXIV. Observations of Eclipses of Jupiter's first Satellite, made at the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, compared with Observations of the same, made by Samuel Holland, Esquire, Surveyor General of Lands for the Northern District of America, and others of his Party, in several Parts of North America, and the Longitudes of the Places thence deduced, by the Astronomer Royal. XXV. Immersions and Emersions of Jupiter's first Satellite, observed at Jupiter's Inlet, on the Island of Anticosti, North America, by Mr. Thomas Wright, Deputy Surveyor General of Lands for the Northern District of America; and the Longitude of the Place, deduced from Comparison with Observations made at the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, by the Astronomer Royal. XXVI. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Humphry Marshall, of West Bradford, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, to Dr. Franklin, sent with Sketches of the Solar Spots, dated May 3, 1773. CONTENTS XXVII. Account of the House-martin, or Martlet. In a Letter from the Rev. Gilbert White to the Hon. Daines Barrington. p. 196 XXVIII. Extract of a Register of the Barometer, Thermometer, and Rain, at Lyndon in Rutland, 1773, by T. Barker, Esq. Communicated by Sir John Pringle, Bart. P. R. S. p. 202 XXIX. An Account of certain Receptacles of Air, in Birds, which communicate with the Lungs, and are lodged both among the fleshy Parts and in the hollow Bones of those Animals. By John Hunter, F. R. S. p. 205 XXX. M. De Luc's Rules, for the Measurement of Heights by the Barometer, compared with Theory, reduced to English Measures of Length, and adapted to Fahrenheit's Scale of the Thermometer: with Tables and Precepts, for expediting the practical Application of them. By the Rev. Samuel Horsley, LL.D. Sec. R. S. addressed to Sir John Pringle, Bart. P. R. S. p. 214 XXXI. A Catalogue of the Fifty Plants, from Chelsea Garden, presented to the Royal Society, by the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries, for the Year 1773, pursuant to the Direction of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. Med. Reg. et Soc. Reg. nuper Praeses. By William Curtis, clariss Societ. Pharmaceut. Lond. Soc. Hort. Chelsean. Praefect. et Praelector Botan. p. 202 XXXII. Observations on the Gillaroo Trout, called in Ireland the Gizzard Trout. By John Hunter, F. R. S. p. 210 XXXIII. Explication of a most remarkable Monogram on the Reverse of a very antient Quinarius, never before published published or explained. In a Letter to M. Maty, M. D. Sec. R. S. from the Rev. John Swinton, B. D. F. R. S. Custos Archivorum of the University of Oxford, Member of the Academy degli Apatisti at Florence, and of the Etruscan Academy of Cortona in Tuscany. p. 318 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS, GIVING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE Present Undertakings, Studies, and Labours, OF THE INGENIOUS, IN MANY Considerable Parts of the WORLD. VOL. LXIV. For the Year 1774. PART II. LONDON: Printed for LOCKYER DAVIS, in Holbourn, Printer to the ROYAL SOCIETY. M.DCC.LXXIV. CONTENTS TO VOL. LXIV. PART II. XXXIV. Astronomical Observations made at Chislehurst, in Kent, in the course of the Year 1773. By the Rev. Francis Wollaston, LL.B. F. R. S. p. 329 XXXV. An Account of a Woman accidentally burnt to death at Coventry. By B. Wilmer, Surgeon, at Coventry. In a Letter to Mr. William Sharpe. p. 340 XXXVI. Experiments on Animal Fluids in the exhausted Receiver. By E. Darwin, M. D. of Litchfield. Communicated by Dr. Franklin. p. 344 XXXVII. An Account of a Storm of Lightning observed on the 1st of March, 1774, near Wakefield, in Yorkshire, by Mr. Nicholson, Teacher of Mathematics in Wakefield. Communicated by Dr. Priestley. p. 350 XXXVIII. Account of a Woman enjoying the Use of her right Arm after the Head of the Os Humeri was XXXIX. Continuation of an experimental Inquiry concerning the Nature of the mineral elastic Spirit, or Air, contained in the Pouhon Water, and other Acidulae. By W. Brownrigg, M. D. F. R. S. Addressed to Sir John Pringle, Bart. P. R. S. XL. Particulars of the Country of Labradore, extracted from the Papers of Lieutenant Roger Curtis, of His Majesty's Sloop the Otter, with a Plane-Chart of the Coast. Communicated by the Honourable Daines Barrington. XLI. An Account of some new Experiments in Electricity, containing, 1. An Enquiry whether Vapour be a Conductor of Electricity. 2. Some Experiments, to ascertain the Direction of the Electric Matter, in the Discharge of the Leyden Bottle: with a new Analysis of the Leyden Bottle. 3. Experiments on the lateral Explosion, in the Discharge of the Leyden Bottle. 4. The Description, and Use, of a new Prime-conductor. 5. Miscellaneous Experiments, made principally in the Years 1771 and 1772. 6. Experiments and Observations on the Electricity of Fogs; &c. in Pursuance of those made by Thomas Ronayne, Esq; with a Plan of an Electrical Journal, &c. By William Henley, F. R. S. XLII. A Letter from David Macbride, M. D. to John Walsh, Esq; F. R. S. accompanying Two Letters from Mr. Simon to Dr. Macbride, concerning CONTENTS. concerning the Reviviscence of some Snails preserved in Mr. Simon's Cabinet. p. 432 XLIII. The Bill of Mortality of the Town of Warrington, for the Year 1773. By the Rev. J. Aikin. Communicated by Dr. Percival. p. 438 XLIV. Of the stilling of Waves by Means of Oil. Extracted from sundry Letters between Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F. R. S. William Brownrigg, M. D. F. R. S. and the Rev. Mr. Farish. p. 445 XLV. Translation of a Letter from M. de Stehlin, Counsellor of State to her Imperial Majesty of Russia, to Dr. Maty, with a Specimen of Native Iron. p. 461 XLVI. Of Torpedos found on the Coast of England. In a Letter from John Walsh, Esq; F. R. S. to Thomas Pennant, Esq; F. R. S. p. 464 XLVII. Description of a double Uterus and Vagina. By John Purcell, M. D. Professor of Anatomy in the College of Dublin. Communicated by Dr. Moreton. p. 472 XLVIII. Letter from William Brownrigg, M. D. F. R. S. to Sir John Pringle, Bart. P. R. S. relating to some Native Salts collected by Dr. Brownrigg, and shewn at a Meeting of the Royal Society, June 27, 1774. p. 480