VOL. XXI.] X-HILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 36l 



since one cannot avoid cutting the neck of the uterus, the cicatrix of which 

 might prove to be of some ill consequence, in case the woman should come to 

 be with child. And therefore when the stone is but of a moderate size, the old 

 way is preferable to any other ; but when very large, then I had rather thrust 

 my fingers into the vagina, and bring the stone as near the neck of the blad- 

 der as can be, and cut the membranes of the vagina and bladder upon the stone. 

 I once cut a woman in Hamburgh that way, from whom I drew a stone, 

 weighing 51 ounces, who recovered very well. By this way we prevent the 

 incontinence of urine, which always follows the extraction of large stones in 

 women. 



Neither can I approve the cutting on the gripe, as practised by some moun- 

 tebanks, because in that way one cuts through the prostates, and so destroys the 

 parts of generation. I have observed that all those which have been cut by that 

 method were never fit for generation. 



On some Parhelia seen at Sudbury in Suffolk. By Mr. Petto. N° 250, p. I07. 



August 28, 1698, about 8 o'clock in the morning, there was seen the appear- 

 ance of three suns, which were at the brightest then, or a little after. About 

 half an hour after 8 I saw it, when there was in the east a dark, dusky, watery 

 cloud, and below it towards the middle, was the true sun, shining with such 

 strong beams, that persons could not look upon it ; on each side were the reflec- 

 tions, with the true sun in the middle. Elsewhere much of the firmament was 

 of an azure light blue colour. The circles which I saw were not of rainbow 

 colours; but white ; there was also higher in the firmament, more over our 

 heads, and towards the south, at the same time, at a considerable distance from 

 the other, the form of a half moon ; but I think it was more than double the 

 size of a half moon, with the horns turned upwards, and within of a fiery red 

 colour, and more like a rainbow colour ; these all faded gradually, after having 

 continued about two hours. 



On Sable Mice,* which have lately come in Troops into Lapland, about Thome, 

 and other Places adjacent to the Mountains^ in Multitudes. By Sir Paul 

 Rycaut, F. R. S. N° 251, p. 1 10. 



In the year 1697 these sable mice were first observed, and are nearly as large 

 as a small squirrel ; their skin streaked, and spotted black and light brown ; they 

 have two very pointed teeth above, and two below ; their feet hke those of 

 squirrels ; they are so fierce and angry, that if a stick be held out at them they 



* The lemming. . Mus lemmus. Linn. 

 VOL. IV. 3 A 



