VOL. L.J PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 8-7 



has nothing singular in it, except it be, that a great many horns, heads, and 

 bones of several kinds of deer, the horns of the antelope, the heads and tusks of 

 boars, the heads of beavers, &c. are found in it : and it is said that some human 

 bones have been found also, all near the bottom. :\ii 



;» 



XF^I. On the ^iterations making in the Pantheon at Rome : In an Extract of a 

 Letter from Rome to Thomas Hollis, Esq. p. 115. 



A project was lately laid before the government by Paolo Posi, an architect, 

 for modernizing the inside of the pantheon, which unfortunately was approved. 

 In consequence of which, the dome has been already cleaned, and rough cast; 

 and the remainder of the lead taken away, which served as a lining to the silver 

 work, that originally covered it. The vestiges of the cornices, and other orna- 

 ments of the silver work, were still discernible in the lead, which was fastened 

 by very large iron nails. All this was effected by a moveable scaffold, fixed to 

 the bronze cornice of the open circle above, by which the temple is illuminated, 

 and descended to the cornice of the attic order, being as curious in the con- 

 trivance, as detestable for the purposes intended by it. It is true, we could not 

 before see the dome in its pristine glory ; but we had the satisfaction of viewing 

 the traces and remains of what it had been. Nor could the adepts in archi- 

 tecture sufficiently admire the skill and sagacity of the builder, who, composing 

 it of a number of small arches, which together formed a kind of net-work, and 

 filling up the intervals between with pumice-stones and mortar, gave it that 

 strength and lightness, by vvhich it has probably stood so many ages. The evil 

 would be comparatively small, had the project extended no further than what has 

 been related ; but they are now busy in removing the attic order, to make room 

 for a new invention, suitable to the trifling taste which at this day prevails. 

 And not content with that, they think of taking away the ancient pavement ; 

 and, what is still worse, the open circle at the top, to place a lantern instead of 

 it, as is usual in modern cupolas. 



You had the good fortune, Sir, to view this remarkable temple, in that state 

 in which it was left by the ancient barbarians : but those who see it hereafter 

 will find it in a much more deplorable condition ; stripped of its precious marbles 

 and ornaments ; and so disguised by modern alterations, that the noble form 

 given it by Agrippa will be no longer distinguishable. 



XVIL Of a New Medicinal Well, lately discovered near Moffat, in Annandale, 

 in Dumfrieshire. By Mr. John fValker, Kirkudb right, Scotland, p. I17. 

 This mineral spring was found out by one Mr. Williamson, a few years ago, 



when he was overseeing a mine, at that time carrying on in its neighbourhood. 



It is situated about 4 miles distant from Moffat, in the bottom of a deep scar, on. 



