ci Cafe of numerous Births , j ; 3 
nothing, that I know of, has ever been difcovered in this obfcure 
matter. 
The occurrence of four born at once we find to be much 
more uncommon; and, I think, Haller’s conjecture rather than 
calculation of its happening once in 20,000 births, very much 
under-rated, as it appears that once in ico,ooo would be 
much nearer the truth. Of this, however, we have feveral 
well authenticated cafes which have happened in this ifland. 
I11 the year 1674, there was published in London a quarto 
pamphlet, intituled, 44 The fruitful Wonder, or a ftrange Re- 
44 lation, from Kingfton upon Thames, of a Woman who, 
44 on Thurfday and Friday, the Fifth and Sixth Days of this 
“ In ft ant March, 1673-4, was delivered of Four Children at 
44 one Birth, viz. Three Sons and One Daughter, all bom 
44 alive, lufty Children, and perfeCl in every Part, which lived 
44 Twenty-four Hours, and then died, all much about the 
44 fame Time, with feveral other Examples of numerous 
44 Births, from credible Hiftorians, with the Phyfical and Aftro- 
46 logical Reafons for the fame. By J. P. Student in Phyfic.” 
Dr. Plott, in his Hiftorv of Stafford fhi re, p. 194. men- 
tions Eleanor, the wife of Henry Diyen, of Watiington, 
who was delivered of four children at a birth in the year 
116751 • 
Sir Robert Sibbald, in his Scotia IUufrata , after men- 
tioning a cafe of three born at once, adds, 44 Imo in variis 
44 regiii locis repertae funt mulieres quae quatuor foetus uno 
44 partu ediderunt but makes no mention of more. 
In the Gentleman’s Magazine, which is reckoned a pretty au- 
thentic record of the times, we have the following accounts of 
numerous births. 
E e e 2 
Ann 
