570 
Part V. 
SINGULAR INVENTIONS, 
&c. 
Low-Bell. 
This name is given to a bell, by means of which they take birds in 
the night in open champaign countries, and among stubble iu Octo- 
ber. The method is, to go out about nine o’clock in a still evening, 
when the air is mild, and the moon does not shine. The low-bell 
should be of a deep and hollow sound, and of such a size that a man 
may conveniently carry it in one hand. The person who carries it is 
to make it toll all the way he goes, as nearly as possible in that man- 
ner in which the bell on the neck of a sheep tolls as it goes on and 
feeds. There must also be a box made like a large lantern, about a 
foot square, and lined with tin, but with one side open. Two or three 
great lights are to be set in this, and the box is to be fixed to the 
person’s breast with the open side forwards, so that the light may be 
cast forward to a great distance. It will spread as it goes out of the box, 
and will distinctly shew to the person that carries it, whatever there 
is in the large space of ground over which it extends, and consequently 
all the birds that roost upon the ground. Two persons must follow him, 
who carries the box and bell, one on each side, so as not to be within 
the reach of the light to shew themselves. Each of these is to have 
a hand-net of about three or four feet square, fastened to a long pole; 
and on whichever side any bird is seen at roost, the person who is 
nearest is to lay his net over it, and take it with as little noise as 
possible. When the net is over the bird, the person who, laid it is not 
to be in a hurry to take the bird, but must stay till he who carries the 
light is got beyond it, that the motions may not be discovered. The 
blaze of the light, and the noise of the bell, terrify and amaze the 
birds in such a manner that they remain still, to be taken ; but the 
people who are about the work must keep the greatest quiet and still- 
ness in their power. Some people go on this scheme alone. The 
person then fixes the light-box to his breast, and carries the bell in 
one hand and the net in the other ; the net in this case may be some- 
what smaller, and the handle shorter. 
Dr. Long’s curious Astronomical Machine. 
This machine is thus described by the Doctor himself. ** I have, 
in a room lately built in Pembroke Hall, erected a sphere of eighteen 
feet diameter, wherein above thirty persons may sit conveniently : 
the entrance into it is over the south pole, by six steps ; the frame of 
the sphere consists of a number of iron meridians, not complete 
semicircles, the northern ends of which are screwed to a large round 
