570 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1722. 



Anno 1721. Latitudes. Meridian distance. Longitude. Variation. 



Oct. 25.... 13 56 s 14 48 w 



Nov. 4 10 57 s 13 11 w 



ditto 7 8 19 s 15 14 w 



ditto 29 .... 5 OS in Cabenda-Bay 14 33 w 



From Cabenda to London, meridian distance from thence. 



Dec. 9 3^ 25' s 11° 38' w. ... 1 1° 43' w 1 1« 32' w 



ditto 14.... 3 30s. ...21 18 w 21 24 w 



ditto 20 O 30 s 30 41 w 30 46 w 1 5 w 



Jan. 1722 1 .... 10 50 N 39 8 w. ... 39 16 w 1 1 e 



ditto 6 17 15 N 43 21 w 43 29 w 1 41 e 



Remarks on an Experiment, by which, it has been attempted to show the Falsity 

 of the common Opinion on the Force of Bodies in Motion. In a Letter to 

 Dr. Mead. By Henry Pemberton* M. D. R. S. S. N° 371, p. 57. 



Perusing the learned Polenus's Tract de Castellis, I have found in it several 

 curious experiments, among which I reckon that of letting globes of equal 



* Dr. Pemberton, a learned physician and mathematician, was born at London, in 1694. He was 

 also a skilful mechanist, and readily performed with his own hands several mechanical operations. 

 After studying grammar at a school, and the higher classics under Mr. John Ward, afterwards pro- 

 fessor of rhetoric at Gresham college, he went to Leyden, to attend the lectuies of the celebrated 

 Boerhaave, to qualify himself for the profession of medicine. Here also, as well as in England, he 

 constantly mixed, with his professional studies, those of the best mathematical authors, whom he 

 contemplated with great effect. From hence he went to Paris, to perfect himself in the practice of 

 anatomy, to which he readily attained, being naturally dexterous in all manual operations. Having 

 obtained his main object, he returned to London, enriched also with other branches of scientific 

 knowledge, and a choice collection of mathematical books, both ancient and modem, from the sale 

 of the valuable library of the Abbe Gallois, which took place during his stay in Paris. After his 

 return he assiduously attended St. Thomas's hospital, to acquire the London practice of physic, 

 though he seldom afterwards practised, owing to his delicate state of health. In 1719 he returned 

 to Leyden, to take his degree of M.D. where he was kindly entertained by his fiiend Dr. Boerhaave. 

 After his return to London, he became more intimately acquainted with Dr. Mead, Sir I, Newton, 

 and oiher eminent men, with whom he afterwards cultivated the most friendly connexions. Hence 

 he was useful in assisting Sir I. Newton in preparing a new edition of his Principia, in writing an 

 account of his philosophical discoveries, in bringing forward Mr. Robins, and writing some pieces 

 printed in the 2d vol. of that gentleman's collection of tracts, in Dr. Mead's Treatise on the Plague, 

 and in his edition of Cowper on the Muscles, &c. Being chosen professor of physic in Gresham 

 college, he undertook to give a course of lectures on chemistry, which was improved every time he 

 exhibited it, and was published in 1771. by his friend Dr. James Wilson. In this situation too, at 

 the request of the college of physicians, he revised and reformed their pharmacopoeia, in a new and 

 much improved edition. After a long and laborious life spent in improving science, and assisting 

 its cuUivatois, Dr. Pemberton died in 1771, at 77 years of age. 



