VOL. XLVI.J PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 637 



white transparent flesh, full of juice, much resembling jelly, which surrounds a 

 single round grain, marbled with black or brown spots, as in the tortoiseshell, 

 when ripe. This grain is as large as a grain of hemp seed, that is about 1 lines 

 in diameter, but sometimes less. It is properly a kernel, or a shell with a cavity, 

 which incloses a sort of little round almond, of a straw colour, yellowish 

 on its outer surface, and pale in its inner substance, which is pretty 

 firm. 



As to its qualities : all the parts have an acid pungent taste and smell, vastly 

 like our garden cresses, but more biting. The fruit is the most pungent part of 

 the whole. The smell of the plant is perceptible at 7 or 8 paces distance, when 

 a person is to leeward. 



The natives of the country use it against the bite of the scorpion, by rubbing 

 the wounded part with its bruised leaves. They also employ its warm infusion 

 to wash the bodies of their children, in order to keep them healthy. And they 

 feed camels with it, who love it naturally. 



The name of Salvadora, here chosen for this shrub, is that of the late Mr. 

 Salvador of Barcelona, a very skilful botanist, of whom Mons. de Tournefort 

 makes mention in his introduction, which serves for a preface to his Institutiones 

 Rei Herbariae, where he styles him the phoenix of his nation ; because he was 

 really the richest naturalist, and the most expert in botanical matters that Spain 

 ever produced. 



A State of the English Weights and Measures of Capacity, as they appear from, 

 the Laws, as tuell Ancient as Modern. Being an Attempt to prove that tfie 

 present Avoirdupois Weight is the legal and Ancient Standard for the Weights 

 and Measures of this Kingdom. By Samuel Reynardson, Esq. F.R.S. N'' 

 491, p. 54. 



It is declared by Magna Charta, (c. 25,) that there should be, throughout the 

 realm, one measure of wine, one of ale, and one of corn ; viz. the quarter of 

 London ; and that it should be of weights as of measures. 



This declaration has been repeated in many subsequent laws, and by several of 

 them the treasurer is directed to provide standards of bushels, gallons, and 

 weights, of brass ; and to send them into every county ; and all measures are to 

 be made according to the king's standard ; the assize whicli is established by se- 

 veral laws as follow : " the English penny, called a sterling round, without 

 clipping, to weigh 32 grains of wheat, dry and taken from the midst of the ear. 

 20 j:)ence make an ounce, 12 ounces a pound. 8 pounds make a gallon of wine; 

 8 gallons of wine make a London bushel, which is the 8th part of a quarter." 

 And by other laws it is declared, " that the tun of wine, oil, and honey, should 

 contain, of the English measure, according to the ancient assize, 252 gallons; 



