C 78x ) 
But hereof I fhall be as cautious as poffible, and fhall 
rather wave fome things whereof I have fome Doubts, 
and am uncapable now of fatisfying my felf, than in any 
fort prefume too far. The Method I defign is, Firft, 
to give an Account of the Air, and all fuch Obfervati- 
ons as refer thereto, then of the Water, the Earth and 
Soil ; the Birds, the Beafts, the Fifties, the Plants, the 
Infeds ; and laftly, the prefent ftate of the Inhabitants : 
But at prefent I fhall neither trouble you nor my felf 
with any more than an Account of what refers to the 
Air alone, being confcious the Honourable Society 
may receive fuch a Glut with the Imperfe&ion of this, 
as to excufe me from a farther Relation. 
But before I begin, perhaps it may not be imperti- 
nent to acquaint you with fome things that happened 
in our Voyage. We Saifd in the Ship Judith, Captain 
Trim Commander, 'twas Fly-boat built, about zoo or 
250 Tuns (he fprung a confiderable Leak. When the 
Captain had made long and diligent Search, had tried all 
Methods that Sea- men ufe upon fuch occafions, or he 
could think of all in vain, and that the Leak encreafed, 
he came penfively to confiilt me. Difcourfing with him 
about it, and underftanding that the Ship was Seeled 
within ; fo that though the Leak might poffibly be in 
the fore- part, it would fill the whole Cavity betwixt 
the Seeling and the Planks, and fo run into the Hold 
at all the Crevices of the Seeling up and down : I there- 
upon conceived, that where it burft in betwixt the 
Seeling and the Planks, it mull needs make fome Noifk 
He told me, they had endeavoured to find it out that 
way, and according to cuftom had clapt Cans to their 
Ears to hear with,* but the working of the Ship, the 
Tackle and the Sea made fuch a noife, that they could 
difcover nothing thereby, I happily bethought my felf 
of the Speaking Trumpet ; and having one which I had 
contrived for tome other Conveniences, of a differing 
