| Description | ' Mr Hook brought in an Account of his Additions to Prince Ruperts Perspective-Engine ; It was ordered, that such an Engin should be made for the use of the Society. '
Ordered the Committee formerly appointed to meet for the examing of the Treasurer's Accounts to make a report on the following Monday before the Society begins th4e election of a new Council.
' Mr Hook acquainted the Company, that he had altered his thoughts about the Whale - killing - Engine ; conceiving now, that a Crosse - bow of Whale - bones might be so contrived , as to performe that Execution well: whereupon some of the Company objecting , that Whale - bones, would by the water loose their Spring , it was said, that good Vernish would secure the Spring; others suggested,, that a Bow of steele tinned over would do well, especially if severall thin steel - springs were put together: Mr Hook was desired to consider further hereof.
Dr Charleton mentioning a peculiar kind of bow which he thought might be had in Grub - street, was desired to enquire after it, and to obtain the Sight of it for the Company, which he promised to doe.
The President acquainted the Company that he had received a Letter sent to a Minister in England, from a Suffragan Bishop in Island, which Letter being produced the Secretary was ordered to peruse, to give an Account thereof to the Society at their next Meeting, against which time the Amanuensis was appointed to make a Copy fo the Inquiries, formerly drawn up by Mr Hook, and sent into Island, to the End, that they might be considered of, and fitted by the President, to be sent and recommended to the said Bishop, as a person conceived to be capable and curious enough, to return a proper answer thereunto.
The Operator was appointed, to rectify the Thermometer and to have one as a standard to adjust others by. '
Dr Wallis related the observations over several years of a farmer concerning the weather with particular reference to the Equinoxes and the Moon.
Sir Paul Neile made his observations on the weather accomapnying the Neap tides and the Spring tides.
' Mr Hook produced his Engin for determining the force of Powder by weight, but it being found imperfect, by reason of the noncontinuance of the first impulse, he offered to compleat it by the addition of a Rammer.
Sir Robert Moray promising to procure for the next Meeting Prince Rupert's powder-tryer, the Operator was ordered to provide severall sorts of Powder, for Pistols, Muskets, and Canons, and to make tryakl with all of them int he said Tryer.
Sir Paul Neile mentioned that Tryall being made of Prince Ruperts powder, and common English powder, it was found, that whereas a charge of the English Powder, shot through 3 boards and stuck in the 4th, Prince Ruperts powder through 4 boards, and stuck in the 5th.
Dr Charleton promised to bring some of Prince Ruperts Powder.
Mr Henshaw produced his Bolonian Stone, which had shined formerly, but now lost that quality. He delivered it to Mr Boyle, to see whether he could recover its shining faculty.
Mr Boyle mentioned to have tryed with spirit of Wine to draw out of putrified fish, its shining vertue, but without Success: but that he had done it with Oyle of Vitriol, with present successe; this oyle having the power of altering the Texture of that Substance.
The Experiment of cutting a peice of a Dogs skin, was ordered to be deferred till a warmer Season.
The Operator gave an Account, that the old Spurre put on the Cock's head, was fallen off, but the young Spur put within the Skin, and covered therewith, proved firme and did grow.
Mr Povey being called upon for Mr Moor's way of breaking rocks with powder, Sir Robert Moray related from Prince Rupert the following way of blowing up rocks underground in Mines; Viz. by making a round hole in the Rock, 8 or 10 inches deep, or as deep as they can, and then by taking two wedges, which put together make a Cylinder diagonally cut, and by thrusting in the great end (after the powder is put in) and then by driving in the other end: which done, and fire being given to the powder, by a trayn made in a groove into the Wedges, the Rocks are broken, because the Wedges cannot be thrust out.
Sir Rober Moray was desired to give the Prince the humble thanks of the Society, for communicating this unto them.
Mr Hook shewed the Company a Microscopicall Observation of a Silkworm's Eye.
Experiments appointed for the next day ; 1 Of Powder in Prince Ruperts Tryer. 2 Of the Windgun. 3 Of the Compressing - Engin. ' |