| Description | ' Mr Gilbert Burnet proposed Candidate by Sir Robert Moray.
Mr Carkas proposed Candidate by Dr Wilkins.
Sir Paul Neile presented a Copy of some of Mr Horrox's Astronomical Papers, which Dr Wallis was desired to peruse, who did accordingly take them with him to Oxford.
Dr Wilklins and Dr Croon were desired to procure the Original of those papers from Dr Worthington.
Dr Croon gave notice that he had wreittent o Dr Power to Speak with Mr Towneley, concerning some writings of the same Horrox.
Sir Robert Moray exhibited a letter of Monsieu Huygens to him, containing an Account of the Experiment of the Mercury's remaining suspeded above the ordinary Station , and of some Gentlemen at Paris pretending to know the cause of that Phaenomenon.
Mr Hook gave an Account of the Experiment of the Last Meeting whereiin the Air having been compressed to halfe the room, the bird inclosed in the vessel for the space of about 10 hours was at the end of that time taken out very lively, and continued so till next morning, but then began to sicken, and dyed towards evening.
Ordered, that this Experiment be repeated next day, to a greater degree of Compression.
Ordered also, that severall kinds fo Wood be broken at the next Meeting.
Ordered likewise, that the Operator provide against the same time, some Tad-poles, to be put into the rarifying Engin, as also to observe what Dr Charleton suggested of their being Froggs when the skin is stripped off.
Dr Charleton mentioning tht Toads have a long bony substance in their heads dividing the brain ; best to be shown when there are Ants to eat the skulls of Toads clean : He was desired to shew this observation in due season.
The same told the Company, that the woman out of whose belly, that mnonstrous masse, formerly mentioned by him, was taken, had promised to come here selfe and attest this matter, next day.
Sir Robert Moray related to have been informed by the French Ambassadour, that there is a Diver at Diepe , able to stay one or two hours, and longer under water, and taking out of Sunk Ships, things of value; as he has saved out of a Ship uner water, a Box with 40000 Gilders in it : using a head - peice, wide onely abut the mouth, and a sute of Leather well stopt, and tyed close about him. He suspects that this Diver may use a peice of Sponge dipt in Oyle, and hold it in his mouth ; He was desired to inquire further after this matter.
Mr Hill was desired to informe himselfe, of the truth of the way, used by the Divers of Touloun, Genoa, Ormus and to consult Purchas concerning them, and the Art they use in staying under water.
Sir Robert Moray being called upon for a written Account concerning Diving and working under water, promised to have it ready next day : as also, the other Account, concerning Instruments to take Ballast out of Ships, and to widen the open places of the Decks of ships, uner water.
The same mentioned, that there was come a rare Mechanician to Prince Rupert, who pretends to raise water to what height he pleaseth, by suction (as he calls it). Item, to make a Pistoll shooting as fast as you can present it, and yet to be stopt when you will : and wherein the motion of the fire and bullet within, is made to charg the peice with powdre and bullet, to prime it, and to bend the Cock. Item to make a Wind - gun, no bigger than ones thumb, to shoot a needle through a peice of an Oak 3 inches thick, without a noyse; and so a pin through the heart of a Dog without killing him. Item, to make a Gun, that shall shoot as far as any other gun and charging it with coommon powder, the shooting shall make no flame, not smoak, nor noyse, and shoot as far as ordinary Guns. He was desired to observe the performances of this Artist, and to report of it to the Society.
The Operator giving notice, that there was a man presenting his Service to Dive, it was ordered that he should be spoken to do so, as soon as the Season would permit : which was done accordingly by Mr Hook.
Dr Ball produced a Toad - stone, to compare with the Teeth of the Fish brought in by Dr Merrett at the former Meeting. Mr Palmer and Mr Haak, and all that had any such stones, were desired to ring in theirs also for comparing.
Mr Boyle mentioned, that many of the said stones being got together, it might easily be tryed, whether they were Animal substances or not.
Dr Wilkins produced a letter of Mr Marshall's concerning the preserving of Birds, by opening them and laying limedust upon the Flesh of them, so that it may dry up all the moysture, which done, their Feathers will keep their Beauty and fastnesse : Fishes and Flyes, by drying them in the sun.
The same shewed the hair of an Elephant, which was delivered to Mr Hook, to consider it with a Microscope.
Dr Croon was desired to informe himselfe by Dr Pugh, about the best Season of the year, to mount the Pico in Teneriffe.
Sir William Petty mentioned a way of measuring the hight of the said Hill, which he promised to give a full Account of, at another Meeting. ' |