528 PHILOSOPHICAL TKANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1732. 



It is evident that a planet may acquire satellites, and yet not a ring; for, ail 

 comets have not a tail ; and if a comet without a tail be attracted, it will furnish 

 the planet a satellite without a ring. 



The great Sir Isaac Newton has concluded that the vapours of comets are 

 dispersed among the planets; nay he reckoned this communication necessary, 

 in order to repair the loss of liquid matter. And Dr. Halley and Mr. Whiston 

 are of opinion that both comets and their tails, cause considerable changes in 

 the planets, as a variation in their poles, or deluges, and conflagrations: but 

 comets may possibly produce more benign effects, and even sometimes supply 

 the planets with useful and surprising things. 



On the Araiccio used by Nurses in Italy. By Oliver St. John, Esq. F. R. S. 

 N° 422, p. 236. 



When we consider how many children are charged overlaid in the bills of 

 mortality, it is remarkable that the arcuccios universally used in Italy are not 

 used in England. The following is a design of one, drawn in perspective, with 

 the dimensions, which are larger than usual. In fig. 8, pi. 12, a represents 

 the place where the child lies; b, the head-board; c, the hollows for the nurse's 

 breasts; d, a bar of wood to lean on when she suckles the child; e, a small 

 iron arch to support the said bar. The length is 3 feet 2^ inches. 



Every nurse in Florence is obliged to lay the child in it, under pain of 

 excommunication. The arcuccio, with the child in it, may be safely laid 

 entirely under the bed-clothes in the winter, without danger of smothering. 



Of an extraordinary large Horn of the Stag Kind, taken out of the Sea on 

 the Coast of Lancashire. By Mr. Hopkins. N° 422, p. 257. 



Fig. 9, pi. 12, represents part of the horn; the dimensions of which are 

 exactly set down, as Mr. Hopkins took them, by laying a string along the 

 surface. 



ae the length, 30 inches ; bb the circumference above the third branch, 7 

 inches ; c the circumference above the second branch, 8 inches ; dd the cir- 

 cumference between the brow and second antler, 11 inches; ee the circum- 

 ference at the root, 10 inches; de the circumference of the brow-antler, 6\ 

 inches; ef the length of the antler, 164 inches. 



This horn was drawn out of Raven's Barrow Hole, adjoining to Holker Old 

 Park, by the net of a fisherman, on the 20th of June, 1727. The tide flow* 

 constantly where it was found, and the land is very high near it. 



