219 
in making perforations in them^ often burned the 
wood^ and was fatal to the success of the opera- 
tion. It was to avoid this inconvenience, that 
the Gauls invented another kind of borer, ( tere- 
hra gallica)^ which was a real gimlet, the more 
regular and less rapid action of which would not 
occasion combustion. It appears to me, that the 
commentators of Pliny have hitherto given no 
just idea, either of the invention of Dedalus, or 
of the Gallic borer. 
Such, my dear Colleague, are the observations 
which I wish to submit to your judgment. Your 
friendship, I trust, will consider them, as a proof 
of mine, and of the lively interest which I take 
in your labours. 
E. Q. VISCONTI. 
Paris, the \2th of December, 1812. 
