502 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1741. 



tions of the sphere, we may contemplate many of the astral descriptions given 

 by the ancient poets ; thus explaining and illustrating many obscure passages in 

 their writings. Mr. L. gives instances of many such quotations, and concludes, 

 the inspection of the globe, when it is fixed in a proper position, will convey 

 the best idea of all these appearances ; for we derive this advantage from the 

 new construction of it, that it will enable us to place the several phsenomena 

 before every eye ; by which means those who have the least acquaintance with 

 these studies, must be greatly surprised and pleased to observe the ancient ac- 

 counts minutely verified. It is a sort of living over again the former ages, 

 allowing 1° 23' 30' for every 100 years, according to Ricciolus and Flamsteed, 

 which is a sort of mean between the other computations. 



I shall not now suggest some other purposes, that might be served by this 

 method. It is sufficient to recommend the invention, that it throws so much 

 light on the common classics, to which this examination is confined. 



An Aurora Australis, seen at Rome, Jan. 27, 1740. By the Abbot Didacus de 

 Revillas, Prof. Math, et F.R.S. N" 46o, p. 744. 



The sky being all over cloudy, at &^ afternoon a reddish light appeared be- 

 tween 45° and 55° of s. E. amplitude. It was about 8° high, and 10° broad. 

 About half an hour after, the light became more vivid, and then sensibly di- 

 minished again ; which it did several times till 9 o'clock. 



A new Plotting-Table, for taking Plans and Maps in Surveying : invented in the 

 Year 1721. By Henry Beighton, F. R. S. N° 46l, p. 747. 



This new plotting-table, is nothing more than the old plain-table, with some 

 new contrivances or improvements, which are here described at great and un- 

 necessary length. 



Mr. B. says one of the chief objections against the plain-table, was the dif- 

 ficulty in shifting of papers ; for you were almost necessitated, when you were 

 at work on a sheet on the table, to put in all the work that is to be contained in 

 it, because it is very impracticable to put it on the table in the same precise posi- 

 tion again, and this although it were with the utmost inconveniency, in pur- 

 suing some grand station, on circumscribing the whole. This is entirely ob- 

 viated ; and I have remedied all the other objections against it, in a very simple 

 and easy manner, which I contrived in the year 1721, for making a correct map 

 of the county of Warwick ; by which, with good success and expedition, I 

 completed and published the same in the year 1728; and call the instrument 

 the plotting-table. 



