244 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1746. 



He then no longer neglected a thorough examination, which he began and com- 

 pleted in the following manner : 



Fig. 5 is a separate view of its partitions, before it is near blowing. Every 5 

 of these go to a flower, and divide properly for blowing, some small time before 

 they burst : there are sometimes 6 to a flower, though seldom : they open at the 

 bottom aa, and immediately, letting drop the farina, turn themselves up; so 

 that the top, which now appears the head, will when blown be the centre of the 

 flower. (See an explanation of this at fig. 6, where the whole division makes the 

 flower, and the strokes the division of the petala). a is the stem of the flower : 

 now the bottom opening discovers this stem ; and the easy transition of turning 

 very near inside-out, makes a complete flower, fig. 7, the shape of which is sel- 

 dom exact in any 2 ; though there are near 1 2 flowers formed by the bud. (See 

 the back part of one, fig. 8, in which those ridges should show its division on the 

 back.) We come now to the farina, fig. Q, which matches the rest of the flower, 

 as to irregularity; there scarcely being 2 alike; and, when viewed opaquely, has 

 a great resemblance to the small pieces observed in a paper of gum Arabic; it is 

 opaquely of a clear white ; but, when laid on paper in a quantity, appears like 

 flower of brimstone, only paler. Its action is as various as its shape. (See 

 several forms, fig. 10.) It seems to be only fixed in one particular, which is, 

 that though there are ever so many different shapes, when dry, water once put 

 to them, makes them all round, before any action begins : a proof that there is a 

 suction. 



This flower has neither apices, stamina, nor stylus; which is the reason why 

 so much farina is shed. 



Of a Bristle that was lodged in a Gentleman s Foot, and caused a violent Inflam- 

 mation. By Mr. Arderon, F.R.S. N° 480, p. I92. 



John Wood, Esq. of the city of Norwich, being afflicted with great pain, and 

 a violent inflammation, in one of his feet, applied to Mr. Castil, an eminent 

 surgeon, for his assistance; who, on strict examination perceived a few sh6rt 

 hairs sticking out, not far above the setting on of the tittle toe. Their thick- 

 ness, and particular manner of standing out, put him upon taking hold of them 

 with his forceps ; when, to his great surprise, he extracted a large hog's bristle, 

 of near 4 inches in length. 



The gentleman had immediate ease, and got well in a few days, without any 

 other assistance. But he had no guess how the bristle got into his foot; unless 

 by some accident it slipped into his stocking, and from thence worked its 

 way in. 



Had Mr. Wood deferred his application to a surgeon, till the bristle had been 

 entirely buried in his foot, how miserable might he have been ? What dreadful 



