VOL. X.J PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 245 



All Account of some Books. N" 119, p. 454. 



I. A Philosophical Discourse of Earth, relating to the Improvement of it for 

 Vegetation and the Propagaton of Plants. By J. Evelyn, Esq. F.R.S. Lond. 

 An. 1676, in octavo. 



The author first describes what he means by earth ; then endeavours to show 

 the several sorts and kinds of earth, as they reside in their several beds, with 

 the indications, by which we may discover their qualities and perfections ; and 

 lastly, how we may best improve it to the uses of the husbandman, the forester, 

 and the gardener. — In the second part, he not only notices the fitness of our 

 senses in giving their verdict of the several qualities of earths ; but also acquaints 

 us with the microscopical examination he has made of divers sorts, both of 

 earth and soils or dungs. — In the third part he teaches first, how we may im- 

 prove the best earths, and apply remedy to the worst, only by labour, stirring, 

 ventilating, shading and reposing ; which being the least artificial, approach 

 the nearest to nature : where he notes among many other excellent particulars, 

 that the bare raking and combing only of a bed of earth, different ways, may 

 diversify the annual production : commending irrigation, or watering, as one of 

 the richest improvements that ever was put in practice, especially where fat and 

 impregnated waters may be had without grittiness, or being over harsh and cold. 



Secondly, he delivers what farther advancement may be expected from ster- 

 coration or manuring the ground with composts ; discovering the qualities latent 

 in their several ferments, and how to apply them by a skilful and philosophical 

 hand, without which they do more hurt than good. 



II. A Description of the Islands and Inhabitants of Feroe, &c. written in 

 Danish, by Lucas Jacobson Debes, M.A. and Provost of the Churches there. 

 Translated by J. S. Doct. of Phys. in 12mo. 



The islands described in this book are 17 in number, subject to the King 

 of Denmark, lying under 62 deg: 10m. of north latitude: concerning which, 

 the describer gives an account of the fertility of their lands and waters, and of 

 the inhabitants, besides their government, churches, schools, &c. 



Among the observables of these islands, are the following : A dangerous 

 whirlpool near one of them, called Monk ; which is most mischievous to ships 

 in still weather, but avoidable with a fresh gale of wind. — ^The ordinary declina- 

 tion of the needle on Feroe, is by our author affirmed to have been 13° 13' to 

 the north-west. An. 1659. — ^The tides are strongest here, three days before, 

 and three days after, the new and full moon ; and a north-east and a south- 

 west moon, make highest water in all the principal streams of these islands. — 

 The famous whirlpool, or sea-gulf, under Norway, called the Maalstrom, is by 

 Kircher and others erroneously said to run down under the land of Norway, and 



