VOL. XXXIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. - 69 



that fire darted with such a rapidity, can from any assignable cause deviate in 

 fact from a right line, in the manner it appears to us. And this, if duly con- 

 sidered, may probably be found a plenary solution. 



Observations on the Aurora Borealis made in England. By Andr. Celsius, 

 F. R. S. a7id Sec. R. S. of Upsal in Sweden. N° 42 1 , p. 24 1 . 



Here are registered several instances of the appearances, more or less, of 

 the aurora borealis ; from which M. Celsius infers, that 



In several of these observations he is certain as to the time of tlie clock: so 

 that if it has happened that others have observed the same phaenomena, the 

 longitudes of places may be determined by them with greater exactness than 

 by the satellites of Jupiter ; which he takes to be the principal use that may be 

 made of these observations, especially in making maps of the northern coun- 

 tries, where these lights more frequently occur. 



Some Experiments made on Mad Dogs with Mercury. Dated June 3, 1735. 

 ^ By Dr. Robert Jaines* of Litch/ield. N° 44 1 , p. 244. 



Dr. James here gives an account of some experiments made on mad dogs 



• Dr. Robert James was descended from a family of great respectability in Staffordshire. After 

 studying at Oxford, he practised physic first at Sheffield, next at I,itchfield, then at Birmingham, 

 and lastly in London. In 1755 he was, by the king's mandamus, admitted to the degree of M. D. 

 at Cambridge. 



His first publication appears to have been the above paper, afterwards reprinted with considerable 

 additions, in a separate form. After this appeared his Medicinal Dictionary in 3 vols, folio, 1743 j 

 a compilation which proves that the author was well acquainted with the writings of the physicians 

 of antiquity, as well as with the most esteemed medical publications of his own days. For whatever 

 relates to the history of the medical art and the histories of diseases, this dictionary may be consulted 

 with advantage; but much of the physiology and patliology which it exhibits is now exploded; nor 

 are the curative directions, in many instances, the best that could have been given. In the materia 

 medica too much notice is taken of the virtues attributed to different medicinal substances by the 

 ancients; and with regard to the pharmaceutical part of this work, that is now become almost useless j 

 for, during the 60 years and upwards which have elapsed since the publication of this Dictionary, phar- 

 macy, in consequence of the improvements and discoveries made in chemical science, has undergone a 

 complete reform. Add to this, that most of the articles in this compilation are discussed with too 

 much prolixity. The work should have been less bulky, and more select. 



Dr. James's other publications are as follow. A Translation of Ramazzini de Morbis Artificum j 

 a Practice of Physic, in 2 vols; a Treatise on Canine Madness ; for the cure of which he proposed 

 mercury ; a remedy which had been before recommended in another form by M. Desault, of Bor- 

 deaux, in a Treatise published in 1733. A Dispensary; and a Dissertation on Fevers. The last 

 mentioned publication was written chiefly in recommendation of his celebrated Fever Powder ; a pre- 

 paration of antimony, to which the pulvis antimonialis of the new London Pharmacopa-ia is sup- 

 posed to be analogous. 



