^l6 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO I67I, 



wards the limb. It was a very dark spot, almost of a quadrangular form, and 

 was inclosed round with a kind of duskish cloud. 



We first observed this same spot both for figure, colour, and bulk, to be re- 

 entered the sun May 15, when it seemed to be in a part of the same line it had 

 formerly traced ; and was entered about -^ of its diameter. At the same time 

 there appeared another spot, which'vvas just entered, and appeared to be en- 

 tered not above -^h,- part of the sun's diameter. It appeared to be longest to- 

 wards the north and south, and shortest towards the east and west. There 

 seemed to be dispersed about it divers small clouds here and there. Discours- 

 ing of the thoughts he had entertained touching the effects of such spots, he 

 suggested this inquiry, whether they might not cause a considerable alteration 

 both in the body of the sun itself, and in our air, and the bodies in it, upon 

 their dissipation. 



Secondly, At Paris the royal observatory, now building for making celestial 

 discoveries, is very far advanced, and will shortly be in a condition to be em- 

 ployed for the use intended j whence we may expect a considerable advance- 

 ment of the astronomical science. Beneath the edifice there is a very deep 

 cave, having ] 70 steps of descent ; wherein many sorts of experiments are in- 

 tended to be made, of such a nature as require to be remote from the sun 

 beams and the open air ; such as are thermometrical ones, and such as concern 

 refrigerations, coagulations, indurations, and conservations of bodies, &c. 



Thirdly, M. Mariotte is publishing two very useful discourses ; the one on 

 vision, on which subject he has discovered something new and considerable : 

 the other of the art of levelling, containing many remarkable particulars about 

 refraction, and the errors they occasion ; with several new instruments for le- 

 velling exactly. 



Fourthly, By letters from Germany we find that the learned physician 

 Dr. Kornmann is printing a book, concerning the tinctures or essences of the 

 excretions of insects, which having fed upon several herbs and flowers, yield 

 such dungs, wherein the tincture, colour and virtue of these vegetables are to 

 be' found : thus for example, he can extract a curiously red tincture out of ex- 

 crements of worms that have fed upon roses, &c. 



Fifthly, That a very ingenious person in Italy offers it to the consideration 

 of naturalists, whether it be likely to find a place in vegetables, whence the 

 sap may part, and whether it may return, such as is the heart in animals ; ad- 

 ding, that whereas vegetables are always to put forth new branches, leaves, &c. 

 it seems to be sufficient for them, that there be a continual and plentiful course 

 and supply of juice, to thrust out every way, without any necessity of such a 

 circulation. 



