rOL. XLI,] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 40Q 



Concerning a Cluster of small Teeth observed at the Boot of each Fang, or great 

 Tooth, in the Head of a Rattlesnake, on dissecting it. By John Bar tram, 

 M. D. of Philadelphia. N"* 456, p. 358. 



Near German-town, about 6 miles from Philadelphia, Dr. B. found a rattle- 

 snake, which is now become a rarity so near our settlements. He took, it 

 home, and dissected it; in the head he met with what has not been observed 

 before by any, viz. a cluster of teeth on each side the upper jaw, at the root of 

 the great fangs, through which the poison is ejected. In the same case, that 

 the two main teeth were sheathed in, lay 4 others at the root of each tooth, in 

 a cluster together, of the same shape and figure with the great ones, and he 

 thinks for the same use and purposes, if by accident the main teeth happen to 

 be broken. May not these clusters of teeth be placed to supply such a defect 

 successively, for the support and defence of this creature? 



Notices of some Meteors observed at Philadelphia, in North America. By 

 Joseph Breintnall. N" 456, p. 859. 



The remarkable aurora borealis, that was seen in Europe the beginning of 

 December, 1737, was not seen here. But we had a visible aurora borealis the 

 ig\.h of December 1736. The day was clear, with a brisk cold north-west wind, 

 the evening calm and serene, and about 7 was a red aurora borealis. 



On Nov. 17, 1737, about sun-set, many people in this town saw a fiery me- 

 teor in the air, large and bright; it seemed in the zenith, and so it seemed 

 to others some miles from town: it was observed to be higher than the lower 

 clouds. 



Dec. 7, 1737, a minute or two before 11 at night, were two shocks of an 

 earthquake, greater than ever felt here before. The second evening after, and 

 for several evenings in this month, a red vapour appeared to the south and south- 

 west, like the aurora borealis. 



A Description of the Cave of Kilcorny, in the Barony of Burren in Ireland. 

 By Mr. C. Lucas, Apothecary, Dublin. N° 456, p. 36o. 



The place where this cave lies, is called Kilcorny ; it is a pretty low valley, 

 in comparison to the hills that surround it; the entrance is by the east end, for 

 it lies east and west. There are the ruins of an old church, and, a little west- 

 ward of it, an even plain of about an acre of ground; on the north side of 

 which, under a steep rugged cliff, lies the cave. 



The mouth of it is level with the plain, about 3 feet diameter; it has been 



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