Transcriber's Note.
Apparent errors in mathematical expressions have been retained,although apparent typographical errors elsewhere in the text have beencorrected. Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been retained.
The decimal point may be indicated by a "." or "," whileillustrations are referred to as a "Plate" or a "Tab."
The frontispiece probably depicts Charles II.
The Table of Discourses has been amended to include one omitted titleand to correct erroneous page numbers.
Fifth roots and "nth" roots are indicated by5√ andn√ respectively.
M: Ver Gucht Sculp:
Miscellanea Curiosa.
CONTAINING A
COLLECTION
Of some of the Principal
PHÆNOMENA
IN
NATURE
Accounted for by the Greatest Philosophers of this Age;
BEING THE
Most Valuable Discourses, Readand Delivered to the Royal Society, for theAdvancement of Physical and Mathematical Knowledge.
As also a Collection of Curious Travels,Voyages, Antiquities, and Natural Histories ofCountries; Presented to the same Society.
In Three VOLUMES.
The Second Edition; To which is added, ADiscourse of the Influence of the Sun and Moon onHumane Bodies, &c. By R. MEAD, M. D. F. R. S. And alsoFontenelle's Preface of the Usefulness of MathematicalLearning.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
Printed by F. M. for R. Smith, at theBible under the Piazza of the Royal Exchange inCornhill. 1708.
TO THE
READER.
SOME of the Principal Discoveries and Enquiries, bothin Physical and Mathematical Learning, being register'd inthe Voluminous Journals of the Royal Society, are amongst amultitude of less useful Matters, so Obscurely hid, that but very fewinquisitive Gentlemen ever so much as heard of them.
The Design therefore of the ensuing Collection, is to digest in aconvenient Method, all the most curious Philosophical andMathematical Discoveries, as they are to be met with, which mayany way tend to the Use of Life or Advancement of Arts and Sciences.
And on this Occasion, it will be convenient to intimate to the Reader;
First, That the Theories and Discourses here collected, havealready past the Censure of the Learned World: Who haveacknowleg'd them the most satisfactory Accounts of Nature's Proceedings,wherein some of her greatest Depths are fathom'd, and a Foundation laidfor Posterity to build an infinite Superstructure.
Secondly, That they are related (Verbatim) just as theywere delivered in, or read before the Royal Society: For it hasbeen the Opinion of the most Judicious among those HonourableMembers, that it is impossible so to abridge them, (which are butAbridgments themselves) as not to render them obscure and unintelligible.