[ 58 3 
XI. ExtraB of a Letter of Mr . Abraham 
Trembley, F. R. S. to Tho. Birch, D.D . 
Secret . R. S. Tranfated from the French. 
SIR, Hague, i Feb. 1757. 
Read Feb. 17, T Wrote to you on the 26th of Novem- 
X ber laft, concerning the earthquake 
felt fome time before between the Rhine and the 
Meufe. I have been flnee informed by Profeflor 
Donati of Turin, that a flight fliock had been per- 
ceived there on the 13th of Auguft 1756, at a quar- 
ter after nine in the morning. It was likewife felt 
in other parts of Piedmont. He has alfo communi- 
cated to me an extract of a letter of a profeflor of 
Genoa, one of his friends, of which the following 
is a tranflation. 
“ On the pth of November we felt here two 
a fhocks of an earthquake ; one at 20 f hours, accord- 
“ ing to the Italian way of reckoning ; the other at 
il about 4 4 hours at night. I did not perceive the 
" firft, being then walking in the houfe ; but I felt 
“ the fecond. I was then laid down, and going to 
<c fleep. The direction of the undulations was from 
north to fouth, as far as I could judge.” 
Monf. Donati took laft fummer, according to his 
cuftom, a journey, in order to profecute his refearches 
into natural hiftory. He was accompanied by Dr. 
Afcanius, Fellow of the Royal Society j who was 
ftill in doubt about coral s being a compofition of 
animals. Monf. Donati carried him to the fea of 
Provence. He ordered coral to be fiflied up in his 
7 prefence. 
