620 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 174Q, 



Observations of a Solar Eclipse July 14, and of a Lunar July !i8, 1748, at 

 Madrid. By Don Antonio de Ulloa* F.R.S. N" 491, p. 10. From the Latin. 

 With a 2-foot telescope, and an astronomical clock, the solar eclipse was ob- 

 served to begin at 8^ 49™ 6' true time. Some spots were seen on the sun, and 

 the times of their eclipses observed. 



The lunar eclipse of July 28, o. s. was observed, by the same telescope. The 

 penumbra began at g^ 45'" 42' true time; the true eclipse at 9'' 50™; the end 

 of the eclipse 12*" 10*" 22'; and the end of the penumbra 12^ 22™ 12^ 



Remarks on the principal Paintings found in the Subterraneous City of Hercu- 



laneum, and at present in the Possession of the King of Naples. By 



Blondeau, Esq. N° 49I, p. 14. 



The paintings found under-ground in Herculaneum near Portici, are all done 

 on stucco in water-colours in fresco. They have been taken from the walls of 

 an amphitheatre, a temple, and houses, and are in great variety, some exceed- 

 ingly fine, and well preserved. They may be divided into 2 classes, the first of 

 which contains the 4 following pictures. 



The first is a large piece of 7 feet by 5, representing Theseus, after having 

 killed the Minotaur. He is naked, at full length, holding a club or knotted 

 stick in his left hand by the small end ; a young woman by his side, holding the 

 said club a little higher with her right hand, and looking up wishfully at him : 

 three children of different ages: one kissing his right am:i, which is extended: 

 the second his left leg, which is a little raised: and the third grasping and kissing 

 his left arm; all as it were wishing him joy, and caressing him after the victory; 

 the Minotaur lying on his back dead at his feet, a human body with a bull's head 

 and short horns. This piece has been a great deal larger. On the upper part is 

 part of a naked arm with a trumpet. 



The second is a noble piece of 10 feet by 7, entire, and seems to represent 

 Rome triumphant ; viz. a grand figure of a woman sitting, with a garland of 

 flowers on her head, a majestic commanding countenance, a knotted club, ex- 

 actly like that of Theseus, long and tapering, in her left hand, resting herself 

 on her right elbow, with her hand to her temple; a young faun laughing over 

 her shoulder, with a musical instrument of 12 pipes in his hand. At her side is 



* This learned Spaniard (of whom some account has been already given at p. 316" of this vol. of 

 these Abridgments) was born in 17 lO', and died in 1795. His progress in science was so rapid, tliat 

 at the age of 1 8 he was associated with George Juan and la Condamine, at the instance of Lewis the 

 15th of France, and under the patronage of tlie king of Spain, to proceed to South America, to 

 make observations for ascertaining the figure of the earth. He continued in America till 1744, when 

 returning he was taken prisoner, and brought to England, where he was elected f.r.s. He was 

 afterwards made goverror of Louisiana. An Account of his Voyage was published at Madrid in 1748, 

 in 5 vols. 4tQ. 



