Foundation and Early Plistory. 15 



which is still in their possession, the warrant for which is dated 

 May 23, 1663.* 



After the Incorporation, the now Royal Society conducted its 

 meetings very much as they had been conducted while it was yet a 

 private Society. What was the character of the meetings at that 

 time may be learnt from the following record of the fourth meeting 

 after the one at which the charter was read, copied from the Journal- 

 book : 



September 10th, 1662. 



" Mersennus, his account of the tenacity of cylindricall bodies was 

 read by Mr. Croone, to whome the prosecution of that matter by con- 

 sulting GalilsBO, was referred when the translation of that Italian 

 treatise wherein he handleth of this subject shall bee printed. 



" It was order'd, that, at the next meeting Experiments should 

 bee made with wires of severall matters of ye same size, silver, 

 copper, iron, &c., to see what weight will breake them ; the curator 

 is Mr. Croone. 



" The reading of the french manuscript brought in by Sr. Robert 

 Moray about taking heights and distances by catoptricks was differred 

 till the description of the instrument should come. 



" Dr. Goddard made an experiment concerning the force that 

 presseth the aire into lesse dimensions ; and it was found, that twelve- 

 ounces did contract Y V part of Aire. The quantity of Air is wanting, 



" My Lord Brouncker was desired to send his Glass to Dr. Goddard, 

 to make further experiments about the force of pressing aire into less 

 dimensions. 



" Dr. Wren was put in mind to prosecute Mr. Rook's observations 

 concerning the motions of the satellites of Jupiter. 



"Dr. Charleton read an Essay of his, concerning the velocity of 

 sounds, direct and reflexe, and was desired to prosecute this matter ; 

 and to bring his discourse again next day to bee enter'd. 



"Dr. Goddard made the Experiment to show how much aire a 

 man's lungs may hold, by sucking up water into a separating glasse 

 after the lungs have been well emptied of Aire. Severall persons of 

 the Society trying it, some sucked up in one suction about three 

 pintes of water, one six, another eight pintes and three quarters, &c. 

 Here was observed the variety of whistles or tones, which ye water 

 made at. the severall hights, in falling out of the glasse again. 



" Mr. Evelyn's experiment was brought in of Animal engrafting, 

 and in particular of making a Cock spur grow on a Cock's head. 



" It was discoursed whether there bee any such thing as sexes in- 



* The legend that this mace of the Society was 'the " bauble " turned out of the 

 House of Commons by Oliver Cromwell has been exposed by Weld, ' Hist. Koy. 

 Soc.,' vol. 1, p. 152, &c. 



