444 
Mr. Baker asks him to send a description of Caistor camp to the 
Royal Society. This communication with a plan appears in their 
‘ Transactions.’ * 
Mr. Baker reads to the Royal Society an account of John Coan, 
a dwarf, born at Twitshall (Tivetshall), in Norfolk, in 1728. His 
weight, with his clothes on, was 341bs. ; his height, with his hat 
and wig on, 38 inches. 
Between the years 1743 and 1750 he sends twenty papers to the 
Royal Society, a number exceeded by only one other Fellow, a 
Mr. W. Watson, an apothecary, who contributed twenty-two. 
After 1750 he does not appear to have done much, probably 
business occupied more of his time. The following is a list of his 
papers, from which I have given no extracts : — 
1. “A description of a water wheel for mills, invented by 
Mr. Philip Williams.” 
2. “An account of a Bristle that was lodged in a gentleman’s foot.” 
3. “ On the white matter that floats about the air in summer.” 
4. “ On the formation of Pebbles.” 
5 . “ A representation of a Halo or Mock-sun, observed July 1 1th, 
1749.” 
6. “ On giving magnetism and polarity to Brass.” 
7. “ Observations on the late severe and cold weather.” 
8. “ Account of the agitation of the waters observed at Norwich 
November 1st, 1755.” 
9. “The quantity of rain fallen in a foot square, at Norwich, 
1750 to 1763.” The quantity of rain was estimated in wine pints. 
In the table /or 1750 the rainfall in Norwich was 1007 pints = 
20 T 8 inches. The Rev. Marsham describes this year as being very 
dry (see “ Indications of Spring,” in this volume, p. 34). 
The MSS. in my possession consist of — 1st, very copious extracts 
from various scientific works of the day ; 2nd, a MS. volume of 
poetry copied from various magazines, &c. ; 4th, an original tale, 
entitled, 
“The Life 
and Surprising Adventures 
Of Jack Tomson, 
setting forth the various Vicissitudes of Fortune, and Hardships he 
underwent during the fourteen years he remained upon an 
* A copy of this paper is amongst the MSS in my possession. 
