2 34 Napier's invention. Jut>e i, 



marked 658, anno 1596, Vol. V. which being unprint- 

 ed, I fend it talis qualis to your ufeful repofitory, as a 

 curioiitj. J am, &.c. 



Albanicus. 



Secret iTfjentions, profitable njid necejjary in thefe days 

 Jor the defence of this iflajid, and •vjithflanding of 

 Jcrangers, enemies io God^s truth and religion. 



Firfl^ The invention, proof, and perfeft demonftra- 

 tion, geometrical, and algebraical, of a burning mirror, 

 whicli receiving of difperfed beams of the fun, doth 

 reflex the fame beams altogether united, and concur- 

 ring precifely in one mathematical point ; in the which 

 point, moft neceflarily it ingendreth fire, with an evi- 

 dent demonftration of their error v^ho affirmeth this to 

 be made a parabolic feclion. The ufe of this invention 

 ferveth for. burning of the enemy's fhips, at whatfoever 

 appointed diil^ance. 



Secondly, The invention and fure demonftration of an- 

 other mirror, which receiving the drfperfed beams 

 of any material fire or flame, yieldeth alfo the' former 

 effeft, and ferveth for the like ufe. 



Iljirdly, The invention and vilible demonftration of a 

 piece of artillery, which fiiot, paffeth not lineally through 

 the army, deftroying only tliofe that ft and in the random 

 thereof, but fuperficially ranging abroad, within the 

 whole appointed place, and not departing forth of the 

 place, till it hath executed his whole ftrength, by de- 

 ftroying all thofe that be within the bounds of the faid 

 place. 



The ufe hereof not only ferveth greatly againft the 

 army of the enemj'- on land, but alfc by fea, fervingto 

 deftroy and cut down at one explofion, the whole mafts 

 uiid tackling of fo many Ibips as be within the appoint- 

 ed bounds, as well abreid as in large, fo long as any 

 ;trcngth at ail reniaincth. 



