414 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO I67O. 



that he only relates the more rare particulars, wherein the foetuses differ from 

 adult bodies. He deduces the increase of the bones through their several inter- 

 vals of times, and gives an account how they are constituted in the first two 

 months, in which there hardly appears any thing of bones distinguishable; 

 then what of them, about the third, fourth, and the rest of the months, is 

 ordinarily changed, added, or taken away, at least in the foetus, of these cli- 

 mates. The sum is, that there is a transmutation of membranous parts into 

 cartilaginous, and from them into bony ones; performed by nature with such 

 silent steps, that the most quicksighted and the most patient eye shall never 

 see it doing, though it may evidently see it done. 



An Account of such of the more remarhahle Celestial Phcejiomena of 

 the Year 1670, as will be conspicuous in the English Horizon; writ- 

 ten by Mr. John Flamsteed* Nov. 4, 166'9. Addressed to Lord 

 Viscount Brounker, P. R. S. N' 55, p. 1099- 



This paper contains a calculation and prediction of a solar eclipse, and of 

 some occultations of fixed stars by the moon, made from Street's tables, and for 

 the town of Derby, the then residence of Mr. Flamsteed. 



* Mr. John Flamsteed, the first astronomer royal of England, was bom at Derby in l64>6, and 

 was educated at the grammar school of that town. When very young he showed a disposition for 

 mathematical learning, particularly astronomy, which became his chief study and amusement after 

 quitting that school, and by the help of Sacrobosco's book de Sphera, which had fallen in his way, the 

 foundation of that knowledge was laid for which he became afterwards so justly famous. In 1666 

 he calculated a solar eclipse j which being shown to a gentleman skilled in tlie science, he encouraged 

 young Flamsteed in his pursuits, and lent him several books on astronomy. Of these he made so 

 good use, that in 1 669 he sent to the Royal Society calculations of eclipses and occultations that 

 were to happen in (1670) the year following. This communication procured him the correspon- 

 dence of some learned members of that body ; and the year following he paid them a visit in London, 

 which brought him acquainted with several others, particularly Sir Jonas Moore, then surveyor 

 general of the ordnance, by whose interest Mr. Flamsteed experienced great assistance and en- 

 couragement, and afterwards the honour of Astronomer Royal. On his return from London he 

 visited Cambridge, where he entered himself of Jesus College, and made an acquaintance with 

 Dr. Barrow, Mr. Isaac Newton, and other learned men there. In l674 he was appointed the 

 King's astronomer. The year following the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park was begim^ where, 

 when completed, Mr, Flamsteed resided, making astronomical observations, till the time of his. 

 death in 1719j at 73 years of age. Mr. Flamsteed had entered into holy orders, but all the church 

 preferment he received, was the small living of Burslow in Surry. Many of Mr. Flamsteed's com- 

 munications are printed in several volumes of the Phil. Trans. And in tlie second volume of Sir 

 Jonas Moore's System of Mathematics, is a tract of Mr. Flamsteed's, on tlie Docti-ine of the Sphere. 

 He was author of several other pieces, besides his great work, the Historia Coelestis Britannica, in 

 three volumes folio, published only in 1725. 



