<96 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1745. 



monly term, a lusty boy; except that the parts of generation were remarkably 

 large, and that the lanugo first appeared when he was near a year old; which 

 gave great uneasiness to his parents, who were very religious people. 



To a second letter from the same were subjoined the affidavits and testimonials 

 of the midwife, the minister, churchwardens, and others, that this child, Tho. 

 Hale, was born on Oct. 31, 1741. Between Aug. 28 and Nov. 30, 1744, this 

 child grew 2-J- inches, i. e. from 3 feet 8 inches and -^, to 3 feet 1 1 inches. 



ji new Contrivance of applying Receivers to Retorts in Distillation. By Mr. 

 Browne Langrish, F. R, S. N"^ 475, p. 254. 



In fig. 7, pi- 2, A represents a common retort in a sand heat; b the first 

 receiver, with an opening at the top and bottom ; c a quart bottle fixed to a neck, 

 out of the bottom of the receiver; which, being tied on close by means of a 

 bladder, may be removed at any time, and another instantly placed in its stead; 

 .by which means very little of the steam will make its escape; and any proportion 

 of the volatile part to be distilled may be saved by itself, without unluting the 

 recipient from the retort ; d is a second receiver, inserted into the opening at the 

 top of the first, to give more room to the rarefied and new generated air, and to 

 receive the most subtile and volatile parts, which might not be so easily contained 

 in the first recipient, without great danger of breaking it, or forcing the luting; 

 E is a smaller bottle, for the same uses as the other, marked c ; f is a bladder 

 tied on to an opening, or upper neck, of the second recipient; which, as it is 

 much thinner and weaker than any of the glasses, will always give way first, and 

 prevent their bursting. Or, wherever the matter to be distilled is of such a 

 nature, that we are sure all the glasses, put together, will not contain the fiimes 

 and air arising from it ; then if the smallest pin-hole be made through the top of 

 the bladder, as soon as the fumes begin to rise, it will be sufficient to let out the 

 air as fast as it generated; and at that great distance from the fire, very little, if 

 any thing, but air, can make its escape. 



Hence great advantages will arise from this way of distillation : for 1 . We can 

 keep a greater fire, if occasion be, without fear of breaking our glasses. 2. The 

 matter distilled may be removed as often as we please, by which we may always 

 prevent the drawing off any spirit, &c. too low. And 3, any pure, fine, volatile 

 salt, which shall arise into the second recipient, will not be so liable to be melted 

 down, either by the heat, or too watery a fluid. 



Of a Person bitten by a Mad Dog. By Charles Peters, M. D. N" 475, p. 257. 



John Neale, of a robust constitution, aged 45, had for some years followed 

 the occupation of curing dogs; and one day being employed in that calling, 

 endeavouring to drench one supposed to be mad, he was bitten in the thumb. 



