The other part of thisFrench Tract, conteiningCampani's Answer, and Mr.AuzouthisReflectionsthereon, begins with the pretendedShadowsof theRinguponSaturn, and ofSaturnupon theRing. Concerning which, the saidCampanideclareth, that he never believed them to beshadows, made by theRingupon theDiskofSaturn, or by the body ofSaturnupon theRing, but theRimmsof these bodies, which beingunequallyLuminous, did shew these appearances. In which Explication, forasmuch as it represents, that the saidCampanimeant to note only theInequality of the Light, which,he saith, his Glasses did discover, Mr.Auzoutdoesso far acquiesce, that he only wishes, that his own Glasses would shew him those differences. Next to the Objection, made by MonsieurAuzout, against SignorCampani, touching the Proportion of the Length of theRingto its breadth,Campanireplyeth, that the Glasses of MonsieurAuzout, shew not all the particulars, that his do, and therefore are unfit for determining the true Figure and breadth of the apparentEllipsisof theRing. To which M.Auzoutrejoyns, that he is displeased at his being destitute of better Glasses, but that it will be very hard for the future to convinceCampanitouching theProportionof theRing, seing that the breadth of theEllipsisis always diminishing, although, if the declination of theRingremains always the same, one can at all times know, which may have been its greatest breadth. But he assures, that the breadth of theRingis not the half of its length, and that it doth not spread out so much beyondSaturn's Body, as he hath alleged. And withal desirs to know, what can be answered by Sig.Campanito M.Hugens, who being persuaded, that the Declination of theRingis not above 23 deg. 30′ having seen theRingto spread out above the Body ofSaturn, concludes, in a Letter to M.Auzout, that the length of theRingis more than treble theDiameterofSaturn's body, which, according toCampani, is only as about 67 to 31. Which difference yet dos not appear to M.Auzoutto be so great; but that M.Hugensperhaps will impute it to the Optical reason, which he (Auzout) hath alleged of the Advance of the light upon the obscure space; although he is of Opinion, he should not have concluded so great a Length, if he had not seen the Breadth spread out more, than he hath done: for (saith he) if the Length of theRingbe to the body ofSaturn, 2½ to 1. and theInclinationbe 23 deg. 30′ theRingwill be just as large, as the body, without spreading out; but if theRingbe bigger, it will a little spread out; and if it were treble, it must needs spread out the half of its breadth, which hath not so appeared to him.
Further, to M.Auzout'schange of Opinion, and believing, that theAdvanceorSally, seen by him inJupiter, was theShadowof one of his Moons,Campanideclares, that he would not have him guilty of that change: Whereupon M.Auzoutwonders, whyCampanithen hath not marked it in hisFigure; and wouldgladly know, whether thatSallybe more easie to discover, than theShadowsof theSatellites, whichCampanibelievs,Auzouthath not seen; and whether he be assured, that those obscure parts, which he there distinguishes, do not change: for if they should not change, thenJupiterwould not turn about hisAxis, which yet, he saith, it doth, according to theObservationmade by Mr.Hook,May9 1664. inserted in the first papers of theseTransactions. The full Discovery of which particular also he makes to be a part ofCassini'sandCampani's work, seeing that they so distinctly see the inequalities in theBelts, and see also sometimes otherSpotsbesides theShadowsof theSatellites: where he exhorts all the Curious, that have the conveniency of observing, to endeavor the discovery of a matter of that importance, which would prove one of the greatestAnalogiesfor theEarth's Motion.
The Title of this Curious piece, isDiatribæ Thomæ Willisii Med. Doct. & Profess. Oxon. De Febribus Vindicatio, Authore Richardo Lower, &c.In it are occasionally discussed many considerable Medical and Anatomical inquiries, as, Whether a Fever does consist in an Effervescence of Blood? And if so, of what kind? Whether there be aNervousandNutritiousJuice? Whether the office of sanguification belongs to the Blood it self, existingbeforethoseViscera(at least) that are commonly esteemed to be the Organs of sanguification? HowNutritionis performed, and the nourishing substance assimilated? Whether the Blood affords both the Matter for the structure of the Body, and such parts also, as are fit for the nourishment of the same? Whether the Pulse of the Heart ceasing, there remains yet a certain Motion in the blood, arguing, thatPulseandLifedo ultimately rest in theBlood? Whether the Umbilical Vessels convey the blood of the Mother to the Child, or whether theFœtusbe for the most part form'd andacted by the circulating blood, before the existence of the Umbilical Vessels, or before the connecting of theFœtuswith theUterus? A new Experiment to prove that theChyleis not transmuted intoBloodby theLiver. A discourse of the Nature of theBlood, and what difference there is between theVenalandArterialblood, and for what Uses both the one and the other are particularly designed. Where it is considered, whatLifeis, and whence theSoulofBrutes, and its subsistence, and operations do depend. It is also inquired into, what the uses of theLungsare inhotAnimals? And many other such material disquisitions are to be found in this small, but very Ingenious and Learned Treatise.
In the Experiment of killingRatle-Snakes, mentioned in the last of the precedent Papers (wherein, by a mistake, these words,The way, were put forA way, orAn Experiment) it should have been added, that the Gentleman there mention'd, did affirm, that, in those places, where the WildPenny-RoyalorDittanygrows, noRatle-Snakesare observed to come.
Errata.
Pag. 59. line 11. read,bignesses, l. 20. r.endure, for, resist. l. 30. r.those, for, these. l. 31. r.Plain, for, place.
Printed with Licence, ByJohn Martyn, andJames Allestry, Printers to theRoyal-Society, at theBellin St.Pauls Church-Yard. 1665.
Numb.5.
Munday,July3. 1665.
An Account, howAditsandMinesare wrought atLiegewithoutAir-shafts, communicated by SirRobert Moray. A way to breakeasilyandspeedilythe hardestRocks; imparted by the samePerson, as he received it from MonsieurDu Sonthe Inventor. Observables upon aMonstrous Head. Observables in the Body of the Earl ofBelcarres, sent out ofScotland. A Relation of the designed Progress to be made in theBreeding of Silk-worms, and theMakingofSilk, inFrance. Enquiries touchingAgriculture, forArableandMeadows.
An Account, howAditsandMinesare wrought atLiegewithoutAir-shafts, communicated by SirRobert Moray. A way to breakeasilyandspeedilythe hardestRocks; imparted by the samePerson, as he received it from MonsieurDu Sonthe Inventor. Observables upon aMonstrous Head. Observables in the Body of the Earl ofBelcarres, sent out ofScotland. A Relation of the designed Progress to be made in theBreeding of Silk-worms, and theMakingofSilk, inFrance. Enquiries touchingAgriculture, forArableandMeadows.
It is well known to those conversant inMines, that there is nothing of greater inconvenience in the working ordriving, as they call it, ofMinesorAditsunder ground, for carrying away of Water, or suchMineralsas theMineaffords, than theDamp, want,andimpurity of Air,thatoccur, when suchAditsare wrought or driven inward upon aLevel, or near it, 20, 30, or 40. fathom, more or less. Aswel because of the expence of money, as of time also, in theOrdinaryway of preventing or remedying those inconveniences; which is, by letting downshaftsfrom theday(asMinersspeak) to meet with theAdit; by which means the Air hath liberty to play through the whole work, and so takes away bad vapours and furnishes good Air for Respiration. The Expence of whichshafts, in regard of their vast depth, hardness of the Rock, drawing of water,&c.doth sometimes equal, yea exceed theordinarycharge of the wholeAdit.
Amongst theExpedientsthat have been devised to remedy this, there is one practised in theCoal-mines, near the Town ofLiege(orLuyck) that seems preferable to all others for Efficacy, Ease, and Cheapness: the description whereof followeth.
At the mouth or entry of theAditthere is a structure raised ofBrick, like aChimney, some 28. or 30. foot high in all: at the bottom, two opposite sides are (or may be) some 5½ foot broad; and the other two, 5. foot: the wall 1½Brickthick. At the lower part of it, is a hole, some 9. or 10. inches square, for taking out of the Ashes, which when it is done, this Ash-hole is immediately stopt so close, as Air cannot possibly get in at any part of it. Then, some 3. foot above ground or more, there is on that side, that is next to theAditor Pit, a square hole of 8. or 9. inches every way, by which the Air enters to make the Fire burn: Into this hole there is fixed a squareTubeorPipeof Wood, whereof the Joints and Chinks are so stopt with Parchment pasted or glewed upon them, that the Air can no where get in to the Pipe but at the end: And this Pipe is still lengthened, as theAditor Pit advanceth, by fitting the new Pipes so, as one end is alwaies thrust into the other, and the Joints and Chinks still carefully cemented and stopt as before. So the Pipe or Tube being still carried on, as near as is necessary, to the wall or place, where fresh Air is requisite; the Fire within the Chimney doth still attract(so to speak) Air through the Tube, without which it cannot burn, which yet it will do, as is obvious to conceive (all Illustrations and Philosophical Explications being here superfluous,) and so, while the Air is drawn by the fire from the farthest or most inward part of theMineorAdit, fresh Air must needs come in from without to supply the place of the other, which by its motion doth carry away with it all the ill vapors, that breath out of the ground; by which meanes the wholeAditwill be alwaies filled with fresh Air, so that men will there breath as surely as abroad, and not only Candles burn, but Fire, when upon occasion there is use for it for breaking of the Rock.
Now that there may be no want of such fresh Air, the Fire must alwaies be kept burning in the Chimney, or at least as frequently as is necessary: For which purpose there must be two of the Iron Grates or Chimneys, that when any accident befals the one, the other may be ready to be in its place, the Coals being first well kindled in it: but when the fire is neer spent, the Chimney or Grate being haled up to the dore, is to be supplied with fresh fuel.
The Figure of the Fabrick, Chimney, and all the parts thereof being hereunto annexed, the rest will be easily understood.
Figure 1.
Figure1.
A.TheHolefor taking out the Ashes.
B.TheSquare-hole, into which the Tube or Pipe for conveying the Air is to be fixed.
C.TheBorderorLedgeofBrickorIron, upon which theIron-grateorCradle, that holds the burning Coals, is to rest, the one being exactly fitted for the other.
D.TheHolewhere theCradleis set.
E.The wooddenTube, through which the Air is conveyed towards theCradle.
F.TheDore, by which theGrateandCradleis let in, which isto be set 8. or 10. foot higher than the Hole D. and theShuttermade of Iron, or Wood that will not shrink, that it may shut very close, thisDorebeing made large enough to receive theCradlewith ease.
G.TheGrateorCradle, which is narrower below than above, that the Ashes may the more easily fall, and the Air excite the Fire; the bottom being barred as the sides.
H.TheBorderorLedgeof theCradle, that rests upon theLedgeC.
I.FourChainsofIronfastned to the four corners of theCradle, for taking of it up, and letting of it down.
K.TheChainofIron, to which the other are fastned.
L.ThePulleyofIronorBrass, through which theChainpasseth.
M.AHook, on which the end of theChainis fastned by aRing, theHookfixed being placed in the side of the Dore.
N.ABarrofIronin the Walls, to which thePulleyis fastned.
The higher theShaftof the Chimney is, the Fire draws the Air the better. And this Invention may be made use of in thePitsorShafts, that arePerpendicular, or any wise inclining towards it, when there is want of fresh Air at the bottom thereof, or any molestation by unwholsom Fumes or Vapors:
Figure 2.
Though the invention of breaking with ease, and dispatch, hard Rocks, may be useful on several occasions, the benefit is incomparably great, that may thereby accrue to those, who haveAditsor Passages to cut through hardRocks, for making passage for Water to run out by, inMinesofLead,Tin, or any other whatsoever; theseAditsappearing to be the surest, cheapest, and most advantagious way imaginable, for draining of the same.
That which is here to be described, was invented by one of the most ExcellentMechanicksin the World,Monsieur du Son, who lately put it in practice himself inGermany, at the desire of theElectorofMentz. The manner is, as followeth.
TheMineorAditis to be made seven or eight foot high, which though it seem to make more work downwards, yet will be found necessary for making the better dispatch by rendring the Invention more effectual.
There is aToolorIronwell steeled at the end, which cuts the Rock, (of the shape shewed byFig.2. here annexed,) 20. or 22. Inches long or more, and some 2½ InchesDiameterat the steeled end, the rest being somewhat more slender. The steeled end is so shaped, as makes it most apt to pierce the Rock, the Angles at that end being still to be made the more obtuse, the harder the Rock is. ThisToolis to be first held by the hand, in the place, where the Hole, to be made for the use, which shall here be shewed, is to be placed; that is, in the middle between the sides of the Rock, that is to be cut, but as near the bottom as may be. TheToolbeing placed, is to be struck upon with an Hammer, the heavier the better, either suspended by a Shaft turning upon a Pin, or otherwise, so as one man may manage the Hammer, while another holds the Tool or Piercer. If it be hung in aFrame, or other convenient way, he that manageth it hath no more to do, but to pull it up at first as high as he can, and let it fall again by its own weight, the motion being so directed, as to be sure to hit the Piercer right. After the stroke of the Hammer, he that holds the Piercer, is to turn it a little on its point; so that the Edges or Angles at the point may all strike upon a new place; and so it must still be shifted after every stroke, by which means small Chipps will at every stroke be broken off, which must from time to time be taken out, as need requires. And thus the work must be continued, till theHolebe 18. or 20. Inches deep, the deeper the better. ThisHolebeing made as deep as is required, and kept as streight and smooth in the sides, as is possible, there is then a kind of doubleWedgeto be made, andfitted exactly for it; the shape whereof is to be seen in the annexed 3. Figure.
Figure 3.
This doubleWedge, being 12. or 13. Inches long, each piece of it, and so made, as being placed in their due position they may make up aCylinder, butDiagonal-wise. The two flat sides that are contiguous, are to be greased or oyled, that the one may slip the more easily upon the other; and one of them, which is to be uppermost, having at the great end a hollowCreasecut into it round about, for fastening aCartridge, full ofGunpowder, to it with a thred, the round end of theWedgebeing pared as much as the thickness of the Paper or Pastboard, that holds the Powder, needs to make the outside thereofevenwith the rest of theWedge. ThisWedgemust have an Hole drilled through the longest side of it, to be filled withpriming Powder, for firing of the Powder in theCartridge; which needs have no more, than half a pound of Powder, though upon occasion a greater quantity may be used, as shall be found requisite.
Then thisWedge, being first thrust into the Hole with theCartridge, the round side, whether the Priming-hole is, being uppermost, the otherWedgeis to be thrust in, home to the due position, care being taken, that they fit the Hole in the Rock as exactly as may be. Then the end of the lowerWedgebeing about an Inch longer, than that of the upper outwardly, and flatned, priming Powder is to be laid upon it; and a piece of burningMatchorThreaddipt inBrimstoneor other such prepared combustible Matter, fastned to it, that may burn so long before it fire the Powder, as he, that orders it, may have time enough to retire quite out the Pit orAdit, having first placed a piece of Wood or Iron so, as one end thereof, being set against the end of the lower Wedge, and the other against the side-wall, so as it cannot slip. Which being done, and the Man retired, when the Powder comes to take fire, it will first drive out the uppermost Wedge, as far as it will go, but the slaunting figure of it being so made, as the farther it goes backward, the thicker it grows, till at the last it can go no farther, then thefire tears the Rock to get forth, and so cracks and breaks it all about, that at one time a vast deal of it will either be quite blown out, or so crackt and broken, as will make it easie to be remov'd: And according to the effect of one suchCartridge, more may be afterwards made use of, as hath been said.
Figure 4.
This was the Head of aColt, represented in the annexedFigure4. first viewed by Mr.Boyle, who went into the Stable where theColtlay, and got the Head hastily and rudely cut off, theBodythereof appearing to his Eye compleately formed, without anyMonstrosityto be taken notice of in it. Afterwards he caused it to be put into a Vessel, and covered withSpirit of Winethereby chiefly intending, to give good example, together with a proof, that by the help of the saidSpirit, (which he hath recommended for such Properties in one of hisEssaysof theUsefulnessofNatural Philosophy) the parts ofAnimals, and evenMonsters, may inSummerit self be preserved long enough to affordAnatomiststhe opportunities of examining them.
The Head being opened, and examined, it was found.
First, That it had no sign of anyNosein the usual place, nor had it any, in any other place of the Head, unless the double Bag CC, that grew out of the midst of the forehead, were some rudiment of it.
Next, That thetwo Eyeswere united into oneDouble Eye, which was placed just in the middle of the Brow, the Nose being wanting, which should have separated them, whereby the two Eye-holes in the Scull were united into one very large round hole, into the midst of which, from the Brain, entred one pretty largeOptik Nerve, at the end of which grew a greatDouble Eye; that is, thatMembrane, calledSclerotis, which contained both, was one and the same, but seemed to have aSeam,by which they were joined, to go quite round it, and the fore or pellucid part was distinctly separated into twoCornea's by a whiteSeamthat divided them. EachCorneaseemed to have itsIris, (or Rain-bow-like Circle) and Apertures or Pupils distinct; and upon opening theCornea, there was found within it twoBalls, orCrystalline Humours, very well shaped; but the other parts of it could not be so well distinguished, because the eye had been much bruised by the handling, and the inner parts confused and dislocated. It had four Eye-browes, placed in the manner exprest in Figure 4. bya a,b b;a arepresenting thelower, andb b, theupperEye-lids.
Lastly, That just above the Eyes, as it were in the midst of the Forehead, was a very deep depression, and out of the midst of that grew a kind of doublePurseorBagg, C C, containing little or nothing in it; but to some it seemed to be a production of the matter designed for the Nose, but diverted by this Monstrous Conception; perhaps theProcessus mammillaresjoyned into one, and covered with a thin hairy skin.
These following Observations, were a while since sent out ofScotlandby an ingenious person, an Eye-witness, to SirRobert Moray.
1. That the Belly of this Nobleman being opened, theOmentumorNetwas found lean and small: hisLiververy big; theSpleenbig also, filled with a black and thick humour. HisStomackandEntrallsall empty, of a Saffron-colour, distended with wind only. TheBladderofGallswelled with a black humour: TheKidneysfilled with a kind ofgrumous blood.
2. That in theThoraxorChest, theLobesof theLungswere all entire, but of a bad colour; on the left side somewhat black and blue, and on the right, whitish; with a yellowish knob under one of theLobes.
3. That thePericardiumor theCaseof theHeartbeing opened, there appeared none of that water, in which theHeartuses to swim; and the external Surface of it, from theBaseto theTipp, was not smooth, but very rough. It being cut asunder, a quantity of white and inspissate liquour run out, and beneath theBase, between the right and left Ventricle,two stoneswere found, whereof the one was as bigg as anAlmond, the other,twoInches long andonebroad, having threeAuriclesor crispedAngles: And in the Orifice of the right Ventricle, there was a fleshy fattish Matter.
4. That the whole Body was bloudless, thin, and emaciated, of a black and bluish Colour.
5. TheScullbeing opened, both theCerebrumandCerebellumwere bigg in proportion to the Body; and out of it run much more Bloud, than was seen in both the other Regions together.
TheFrenchKingHenry the Fourth, having made a general Establishment all overFrance, of planting and propagating ofMulberry-trees, andBreeding of Silkworms, in order to set up and entertain aSilk-tradethere; and having prospered so well in that Design, that in many parts of his Dominions great store of such Trees were raised, and Multitudes of Silk-works propagated, to the great benefit of theFrenchpeople, forasmuch as it was a considerable beginning to avoid the transport of several Millions abroad for buying of Silks, and withall an excellent means of well-imploying abundance of poor Orphans and Widows, and many old, lame, and other indigent and helpless people; The presentFrench King, hath lately revived and seconded that Undertaking by giving express order that it should be promoted by all possible means, and particularly in theMetropolisof that Kingdom, and round about it; and that for that end the whole way concerning that Work andTrade should be fully and punctually communicated in Print; which hath also been executed by oneMonsieur Isnard, in a Treatise published atParis, inFrench, Intituled,Instructions for the Planting of White Mulberryes, the Breeding of Silkworms, and the Ordering of Silk inParis, and the circumjacent Places, In which Book, the Method being represented, which that Great PrinceHenryIV used in establishing the said Work and Trade, together with the success thereof, and the advantages thence derived to his Subjects, theAuthor, from his ownExperience, and longPractice, delivers (and seems to do it candidly) all what belongs in this business in four main heads.First, he teaches the Means of sowing, planting, and raisingWhite Mulberryes(as the Foundation of Silkworks) shewing how many several wayesthatmay be done.Secondly, The Breeding ofSilkworms, the choosing of good Eggs, and their hatching, as also the Feeding of theWorms, and preserving them from sickness, and Curing them of it, together with the way of making them spin to best advantage.Thirdly, The manner of winding their Silk from their Bottoms, adding theSchemeof theInstrumentserving for that purpose.Fourthly, The way ofkeepingSilkwormsEggs for the ensuing year.
Through the whole Book are scattered many not inconsiderable particulars, though perhaps known to most. TheWhite Mulberry Tree, as it is in other qualities preferable to theBlack, so thisAuthoresteems it the best, not only for the durableness of the wood, and its large extent of usefulness in Carpentry and Joyners work; but also for the fitness of its leaves (besides their principal use for the food ofSilkworms) to fatten Sheep, Goats, Cowes, and Hoggs, only by boyling and mingling them with Bran. The Berryes themselves he commends as very excellent to fatten Poultry, and to make them lay Eggs plentifully. In theChanges,Working, andGenerationof thisInsect, he is very curious to observe many things. TheirMetamorphoses, as is known, are four, whereof the form of the one hath no conformity with any of the rest. The first from an Egge (of the bigness of a Mustard-seed, and of a darkish Gray Colour, when good) to aWormorCaterpillar, but of a domestick, noble, and profitable kind,Black, when it first comesforth, but growingwhiteat last; having 24. feet, 8. on each side of the body, and 4. besides, close to each side of the head. During this form, they undergo constantly 4. Sicknesses, in which they cast their Skins, each sickness lasting about 4. days, wherein they feed not at all; but grow clearer, shorter, and thicker. The second from aWormto anAureliaorChrysalis, having the shape of a small Plum, whereunto it is transformed after its spinning time is past; in which state it lies shut up, in hot Countries, for 14. or 15. dayes; in more temperate ones, 18. or 20. without any Food or Air, known to us. During which time thisInsectleaves two Coats, both that of aWorm, whence 'tis changed into anAurelia, and that of anAurelia, whence it becomes aPapilioorButterfly, in theThecaorCase. The third is, from anAureliato aButterfly, coming out of theThecawith a head, leggs, and horns; for which passage it makes way by a whitish water, it casts upon the Silk, which moistning, and thereby in a manner putrefying it, the new creature thrusts out its head through the sharp end of theCase, by a Hole as big as its self. There is found no Excrement in theCase, but the two Skins only, just now mentioned.
Before they begin to spin, and about the latter end of their feeding, they must, saith theAuthor, be often changed, and have Air enough, by opening the Windows of the Room, they are in, if it be not too ill Weather; else, saith he, the Silk that is in their Belly, will cause so extraordinary a heat in them, that it burns their gutts, and sometimes bursts them; and the same (being a substance that resembleth Gum or Burgundy Pitch) will putrefy and turn into a yellowish matter.
He maketh the best marks of their maturity for spinning to be, when they begin to quit their white Colour, & their green and yellow Circles, and grow of the Colour of Flesh, especially upon the tail; having a kind ofconsistentsoftness shewing that they have something substantial in their Stomachs.
As for theirWorking, he gives this account of it, that the first day they make only aWebb; the second, they form in thisWebbtheirCases, and cover themselves all over with Silk; the third day, they are no longer seen, and the dayes following they thicken theirCases, alwayes by oneendorthread, which theynever break off, themselves. This, he affirms, they put out with so much quickness, and draw it so subtle and so long, that without anHyperbole, theendorthreadof everyCasemay have two Leagues in length. He advertiseth, that they must be by no means interrupted in their work, to the end, that all the Silk, they have in their bellyes, may come out.
Some eight dayes after they have finished their Work, as many of the bestCases, as are to serve forseed,viz.the first done the hardest, the reddest and best coloured, must be chosen, and put a-part; and all diligence is to be used to winde off the silk with as much speed, as may be, especially if theWormshave nimbly dispatched their work.
Here he spends a good part of his Book, in giving very particular Instructions, concerning the way of winding off the silk, setting also down the form of the Oven and Instruments necessary for that work, which is the painfullest and nicest of all the rest.
Touching theirGeneration, he prescribeth that there be chosen as many male as femaleCases(which are discerned by this, that the males are more pointed at both ends of theCases, and the females more obtuse on the ends, and bigger-bellyed) and that care be had, that noCasesbe taken, but such wherein theWormsare heard rolling; which done, and they being come forth in the form ofButterflies, having four wings, six feet, two horns, and two very black eyes, and put in a convenient place, the males fluttering with their wings, will joyn and couple with the females, after that these have first purged themselves of a kind of reddish humour by the fundament: in which posture they are to be left from Morning (which is the ordinary time of their coming forth) till evening, and then the females are to be gently pulled away, whereupon they will lay their eggs, having first let fall by the Fundament another humour, esteemed to proceed from the seed of the males; but the males are then thrown away as useless. He advertiseth, that if they be coupled longer than 9. or 10. hours, (which they will be, and that sometimes for 24. hours together, if they be let alone) either the female will receive very great hurt by it, or much seed will remain in her belly.
The seed at first coming out is very white, but within a day it becoms greenish, then red, at last by little and little gray, which colour it retains alwaies, the most coloured of an obscure gray, being the best; those grains which never quit their whiteness, having no fecundity in them.
Each female emits ordinarily some 300 grains, more or less, some of them not being able to render them all, and dying with them in their belly. One ounce of seed will require an hundred pair ofCases, of as many Males as Females.
Care must be taken, that no Rats, Mice, Ants, or other Vermin, nor any Hens, or Birds, come near the Seed, they being very greedy to eat them.
This is the substance of what is contained in thisFrenchAuthor, published atParison purpose to promote theMakingofSilkthere, as well as it is practised already in other parts of that Kingdom; which is represented here, to the end, that from this occasion the design, which the English Nation once did entertain of theincreasing of Mulberry trees, and theBreeding of Silk-worms, for theMaking of Silkwithin themselves, may be renewed, andthatencouragement given by KingJamesof Glorious memory for that purpose (witness thatLetterwhich he directed to the Lords Lievtenants of the several shires ofEngland) and seconded by hisMost Excellent Majesty, that now is, be made use of, for the honour ofEnglandandVirginia, and the increase of wealth to the people thereof; especially since there is cause of hope, that adouble Silk harvestmay be made inoneSummer inVirginia, without hindring in the least theTobacco-Trade of that Countrey.
Whereas theRoyal Society, in prosecuting theImprovements of Natural knowledge, have it in design, to collectHistories of Nature and Arts, and for that purpose have already, according to the several Inclinations and Studies of their Members, divided themselves into diversCommitees, to execute the said design: Those Gentlemen, which do constitute theCommiteefor considering ofAgriculture, and theHistoryandImprovementthereof, have begun their work with drawing up certainHeads ofEnquiries, to be distributed to personsExperienced in Husbandryall overEngland,Scotland, andIreland, for the procuring afaithfulandsolidinformation of theknowledgeandpracticealready obtained and used in these Kingdoms; whereby, besides the aid which by this means will be given to the general End of collecting the aforementionedHistory, every place will be advantaged by the helps, that are found in any, and occasion ministred to consider, what improvements may be further made in this whole matter. Now to the End, that thoseEnquiriesmay be the more universally known, and those who are skilful in Husbandry, publickly invited to impart their knowledge herein, for thecommonbenefit of their Countrey, it hath been thought fit to publish theeffectof them in Print, and withal to desire that what such persons shall think good from their ownKnowledgeandExperienceto communicate hereupon, they would be pleased to send it to the Printers of theRoyal Society, to be delivered to either of theSecretariesof same. The Enquiries follow.
1. The several kinds of the soyls ofEngland, being supposed to be, either Sandy, Gravelly, Stony, Clayie, Chalky, Light mould, Heathy, Marish, Boggy, Fenny, or Cold weeping Ground; information is desired, what kind of soyls your Country doth most abound with, and how each of them is prepared, when employed forArable?
2. Whatpeculiarpreparations are made use of to these Soyls for each kind of Grain; with what kind of Manure they are prepared; when, how, & in what quantity the Manure is laid on?
3. At what seasons and how often they are ploughed; what kind of Ploughs are used for several sorts of Ground?
4. How long the several Grounds are let lie fallow?
5. How, and for what productions,HeathyGrounds may be improved? And who they are (if there be any in your Country) that have reducedHeathsinto profitable Lands?
6. What groundMarlehath over head? How deep generally it lieth from the surface? What is the depth of theMarleit self? What the colour of it? Upon what grounds it is used?What time of the year it is to be laid on? How many loads to an Acre? What GrainsMarledLand will bear, and how many years together? How suchMarledLand is to be used afterwards,&c?
7. The kinds of Grain or Seed, usual inEngland, being supposed to be either Wheat, Miscelane, Rye, Barley, Oats, Pease, Beans, Fitches, Buck-wheat, Hemp, Flax, Rape; We desire to know, what sorts of Grains are sown in your Country, and how each of these is prepared for Sowing? Whether bysteeping, and in what kind of Liquor? Or by mixing it, and with what?
8. There being many sorts of Wheat, as the White or Red Lammas, the bearded Kentish Wheat, the gray Wheat, the red or gray Pollard, the Ducks-bill Wheat, the red-eared-bearded Wheat,&c.And so of Oats, as the common Black, Blue, Naked, Bearded inNorth-wales: and the like of Barley, Pease, Beans,&c.The Enquiry is, which of these grow in your Country, and in what Soyl; and which of them thrive best there; and whether each of them require a peculiar Tillage; and how they differ in goodness?
9. What are the chief particulars observable in the choice of Seed-Corn, and all kinds of Grain; and what kinds of Grain are most proper to succeed one another?
10. What Quantity of each kind is sown upon the Statute-Acre? And in what season of the Moon and year 'tis sowed?
11. With what instruments they do Harrow, Clod and Rowl, and at what seasons?
12. How much an Acre of good Corn, well ordered, generally useth to yield, in very good, in less good, & in the worst years?
13. Some of the common Accidents and Diseases befalling Corn in the growth of it, being Meldew, Blasting, Smut; what are conceived to be the Causes thereof, & what the Remedies?
14. There being other Annoyances, the growing Corn is exposed to, as Weeds, Worms, Flies, Birds, Mice, Moles,&c.how they are remedied?
15. Upon what occasions they use to cut the young Corn in the Blade, or to seed it; and what are the benefits thereof?
16. What are the seasons and waies of Reaping and Ordering each sort of Grain, before it be carried off the Ground?
17. What are the several waies of preserving Grain in the Straw, within and without doors, from all kind of Annoyance, as Mice, Heating, Rain,&c?
18. What are the waies of separating the several sorts of Grain from the Straw, and of dressing them?
19. What are the waies of preserving any stores of separated Grain, from the Annoyances they are obnoxious to?
1. How the above mentioned sorts of Soyl are prepared, when they are used for Pasture or Meadow?
2. The common Annoyances of these Pasture or Meadow Grounds being supposed to be, either Weeds, Moss, Sour-grass, Heath, Fern, Bushes, Bryars, Brambles, Broom, Rushes, Sedges, Gorse or Furzes: what are the Remedies thereof?
3. What are the best waies of Drayning Marshes, Boggs, Fenns,&c?
4. What are the several kinds of Grass, and which are counted the best?
5. What are the chief circumstances observable in the Cutting of Grass; and what in the making and preserving of Hay?
6. What kind of Grass is fittest to be preserved for Winter feeding? And what Grass is best for Sheep, for Cows, Oxen, Horses, Goats,&c.
TheReaderis hereby advertised, that by reason of the present Contagion inLondon, which may unhappily cause an interruption aswel ofCorrespondencies, as ofPublick Meetings, the Printing of thesePhilosophical Transactionsmay possibly for a while be intermitted; though endeavours shall be used to continue them, if it may be.
Printed with Licence, byJohn Martyn, andJames Allestry, Printers to theRoyal Society, at theBellin St.Pauls Church-Yard. 1665.
Numb.6.