VOL. XLVI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 6Q5 



affected in a very different manner, and at a very different time, from its 

 mother. 



The Case of Nicolas Reeks, ivho was born with his Feet Turned Inwards, which 

 came to Rights after being some Time used to sit Cross-legged. By fVm. 

 Milner, Esq. at Poole. N" 403, p. 239. 



Nicolas Reeks was born in the town of Poole, 1724, with both his feet turned 

 inwards. His mother carried him to a surgeon, who on examination gave it as 

 his opinion that he was incurable. The boy, as he grew up, was with great dif- 

 ficulty able to walk, but always on the outward edge of his feet and heels, so 

 that he frequently fell down in walking, one foot striking against the other. 



His parents being poor, in 1733 the parish put him apprentice to Mr. Richard 

 Mocket, of the same town, taylor, apprehending it the only trade he could be 

 fit for as a cripple. His shoes were made in a peculiar manner to lace on to his 

 legs, the muscles of which were much smaller than those of boys of his age. 

 He lived with his master, and worked at the trade, till about 1741, when they 

 began to perceive a manifest alteration and turn in both his feet; which was 

 brought on without the assistance of any manner of art, or application of 

 plasters, oils, or bandages, till both feet were turned to their right and natural 

 situation. He was able to wear his master's shoes, the muscles of his legs grew 

 larger, his feet and legs like other peoples of his age; if any difference, they 

 turned outwards more than others do. In March 1742-3, he ran away from 

 his master, entered on board a ship of war as a marine, and was living at Ports- 

 mouth, in Nov. 1749. 



The Description and Uses of an Equatorial Telescope. By Mr. James Short, 



F.R.S. NMgS, p. 241. 



This instrument, fig. 8, pi. 12, consists of two circular planes or plates, 

 marked aa, supported on 4 pillars : and these again supported on a cross-foot, or 

 pedestal, moveable at each end by the 4 screws bbbb: the 2 circular plates aa 

 are moveable, the one above the other, and are called the horizontal plates, as 

 representing the horizon of the place; and on the upper one are placed two 

 spirit levels, to render them at all times horizontal; these levels are fixed at 

 right angles to each other; this upper plate is moved by a handle c, called the 

 horizontal handle, divided into 360", and has a nonius index divided into every 3 

 minutes. 



Above this horizontal plate is a semicircle dd, divided into twice 90°, called 

 the meridian semicircle, as representing the meridian of the place, and is moved 

 by a handle e, called the meridian handle, and has a nonius index divided into 

 every 3 minutes. 



