# Micrographia/Table

THE TABLE.
Pag.
Observat. 1.Of the point of a Needle.
2A Description of it:what other Bodies have the sharpest points: of the ruggedness of polisht Metal.A 3description of a printed point.Of very small writing, and the use of it for secret intelligence: the cause of the coursness of printed lines and points.
Observ. 2.Of the Edge of a Razor.
A description of it: the causes of 5its roughness: of the roughness of very well polisht Optick Glasses.
Obser. 3.Of fine Lawn.
A description of it: A silken Flax mention'd, an attempt to explicate the
6Phænomena of it, with a conjecture
at the cause of the gloss of Silk.
Observ. 4.Of Tabby.
A short description of it. A conjecture
7about the reason why Silk is so susceptible of vivid colours:and why Flax and Hair is not. A conjecture, that it may perhaps be possible to spin a kind of artificial Silk, out of some glutinous substance that may equalize natural Silk.
Observ. 5.Of water'd Silks.
The great unaccurateness of artificial works. A description of a piece of 9water'd Silk; an Explication of the cause of the Phænomena: the way by which that operation is perform'd: 10some other Phænomena mention'd depending on the same cause.
Observ. 6.Of Glass-Canes.
The exceeding smallness of some of
these Bodies. By what means the hollowness of these small pipes was discover'd: 11several Phænomena of it mention'd. An attempt to explicate them 12from the congruity and incongruity of 13Bodies: what those proprieties are. A hypothetical explication of fluidity: of 14the fluidity of the air, and several other 15Phænomena of it: of congruity & incongruity; 16illustrated with several Experiments: 17what effects may be ascrib'd 18to these properties: an explication of the roundness of the surface of fluid 19Bodies: how the ingress of fluid bodies 20into a small hole of an heterogenious body is hindred by incongruity; a 21multitude of Phænomena explicable hereby.Several Quæries propounded; 1. Concerning the propagation of light 22through differing mediums.2. Concerning Gravity.3. Concerning the roundness of the Sun, Moon, and Planets. 4. Concerning the roundness of Fruits, Stones, and divers artificial 23Bodies. His Highness Prince Rupert's
24way of making Shot. Of the roundness
of Hail. Of the grain of Kettering 25Stone, and of the Sparks of fire.5. Concerning springiness and tenacity. 266. Concerning the original of Fountains; several Histories and Experiments 27relating thereto.7. Concerning the dissolution of Bodies in Liquors. 288. Concerning the universality of this Principle: what method was taken in making and applying experiments. The
explication of filtration, and several 29other Phænomena; such as the motion of Bodies on the surface of Liquors;
30several Experiments mention'd to this purpose. Of the height to which the water may rise in these Pipes; and a 31conjecture about the juices of Vegetables, & the use of their pores. A further explication of Congruity: And an attempt of solving the Phænomena of the strange Experiment of the suspension of the 32Mercury at a much greater height then thirty inches. The efficacy of
immediate contact, and the reason of it.
33Observ. 7.Of Glass drops.
Several Experiments made with 34these small Bodies. The manner of the breaking and flawing of them, explicated 35by Figures. What other bodies will be flawed much in the same manner: so other tryals, and a description of the Drops themselves: some conjectures at the cause of the Phænomena, indeavoured to be made probable 36by several Arguments and Experiments. An Experiment of the expansion of Water by heat, and shrinking by cold: the like Proprieties suppos'd in 37Glass drops, and what effects proceed from them: the seven Propositions on which the conjectures are grounded. Experiments to shew, that bodies expand 38by heat. The manner of making Thermometers, and the Instrument 39for graduating them. The manner of graduating them, and their use: Other Experiments to prove the expansion 40of bodies by heat. Four experimental Arguments to prove the expansion 41of Glass by heat: further prov'd by the Experiment of boyling Alabaster; which is explicated. An explication of the contracting of heated Glass upon 42cooling. An explication how the parts of the Glass become bent by sudden cold, and how kept from extricating themselves by the contignation of the Glass drop; which is further explicated by another Experiment made 43with a hollow Glass ball: the reason of the flying asunder of the parts further explicated: that 'tis probable these bodies may have many flaws, though not visible, and why: how a gradual heating 44and cooling does put the parts of Glass, and other hardned bodies, into a looser texture.
Observ. 8.Of Fiery Sparks.
The occasion and manner of making this Experiment: divers Observations 45set down in order to the finding out the reasons: some conjectures concerning it, which are endeavoured to be explicated and confirm'd by several Experiments and Reasons: the 46Hypothesis a little further explicated. Some Observations about the 47Globular Figure: and an Experiment of reducing the filings of Tin or Lead to exactly round Globules.
Observ. 9.Of Fantastical Colours.
The texture of Muscovy Glass; its Figures: what other Bodies are like it: 48that it exhibits several colours, and how: several Observations and Experiments about those colours: the reason 49why on this occasion the nature of colours is inquir'd into. A conjecture at 50the reason of these colours explicated by several Experiments and Reasons: First, by continual cleaving the Body till it become colour'd. Secondly, by producing all kinds of colours with two flat Plates of Glass. Thirdly, by blowing Glass so thin in the Lamp, till 51it produce the same effect. Fourthly, by doing the same with Bubbles of divers other transparent Bodies: the reasons of the colours on nealed Steel, 52where by the way the causes of the
52hardning and tempering of Steel, endeavour'd to be shewn and explicated by several Reasons and Experiments: the reason of the colours on 53Lead, Brass, Copper, Silver, &c. other Instances of such colour'd bodies in animal substances: several other distinguishing Observations. Des Cartes 54Hypothesis of Colours examin'd. An Hypothesis for the explication of light by motion, indeavoured to be explicated and determined by several 55Reasons and Experiments: three distinguishing Properties of the motion 56of light. The distinguishing Properties of a trasparent Medium [that there seems to be no Experiment that proves the Instantaneous motion of 57light] the manner of the propagation of light through them. Of the homogeniety and heterogeniety of transparent Mediums, and what effects they cause on the Rayes of light, explicated by a Figure: an Examination 58of the refraction of the Rays by a plain Surface, which causes Colours. An Examination of the like effects 59produced by a spherical Surface: the use that may be made of these Experiments, for the examination of several Hypotheses of Colours. Des 60Cartes Hypothesis examin'd. Some 61Difficulties taken notice of in it. What seems most likely to be the cause of colour: that propriety is indeavoured 92to be shewn in a Glass ball: that the reflection is not necessary to produce 63Colours nor a double refraction: the Hypothesis further examined, both in 64the pellucid Medium and in the Eye. The definitions of Colours; and a further 65explication and examination of 66the Proprieties of laminated Bodies; 67by what means they conduce to the production of Colours.
Observ. 10. Of Metalline Colours.
68That all Colours seem to be caus'd by refraction. An Hypothesis consonant 69hereunto, explicated by Figures. How several Experiments, of the sudden changing of Colours by Chymical Liquors 70may be hereby explicated: how many wayes such Chymical Liquors may alter the colours of Bodies. 71Objections made against this Hypothesis of two colours only, indeavoured to be answer'd, by several Reasons 72and Experiments. The reason why some Colours are capable of being diluted, others not: what those are: that probably the particles of most metalline Colours are transparent; for this several Arguments and Observations 73are recited: how Colours become incapable of diluting, explicated by a 74Similitude. An Instrument, by which one and the same coloured Liquor at once exhibited all the degrees of colours between the palest yellow and deepest red: as likewise another that exhibited all varieties of blues: several Experiments try'd with these 75Boxes. An Objection drawn from the nature of Painters colours answered: that diluting and whitening a colour are different operations; as are deepening and blackening: why some may be diluted by grinding, and some other by being tempered with Oyl: 76several Experiments for the explicating 77of some former Assertions: why Painters are forced to make use of many colours: what those colours are: 78and how mixt. The conclusion, that most coloured Bodies seem to consist 79of transparent particles: that all colours dissoluble in Liquors are capable of diluting: some of mixing, what a strange variety may thereby be produc'd.
Observ. 11. Of the Figures of Sand.
80Of the substances and shapes of
common and other Sands: a description of a very small Shell.
81Observ. 12.Of Gravel in Urine.
A description of such Gravel, and 82some tryals made with it, and conjectures at its cause.
Obser. 13.Of Diamonds in Flints.
A description and examination of some of them, explicated further by 83Cornish Diamonds: several Observations about reflection and refraction: and some deductions therefrom; as an explication of whiteness; that the Air has a stronger reflection then Water. 84How several Bodies may be made transparent: an explication of the 85Phænomena of Oculus Mundi. Of the regular Geometrical Figures of 86several Bodies: an hypothetical 87explication mentioned: the method of prosecuting this inquiry.
88Observ. 14.Of frozen Figure.
The Figures of hoar Frost, and the 89Vortices on windows: several Observations on the branched Figures of 90Urine: the Figures of Regulus 91Martis stellatus, and of Fern. Of the 92Figures of Snow. Of frozen water.
Observ. 15.Of Kettering Stone.
93A description of the Figure of the 94Particles, and of the Pores, and of the 95Contexture. Several Observations and 96Considerations thereupon: some Conjectures about the medium and 97propagation of light, and the constitution of fluid and transparent Bodies. Several 98Experiments to prove the porousness of Marble, and some other Stones. An account of some Experiments to this purpose made on an 99Oculus Mundi: some other Considerations and Experiments about the 100porousness of Bodies: some other Considerations about the propagation of light and refraction.
Observ. 16.Of Charcoal.
101Of two sort of Pores to be found in all Woods and Vegetables; the shape of them; the number, thickness, manner and use of these Pores. 102An explication of the Phænomena of Coals. The manner of charring Wood, or any other body. What part 103of Wood is combustible. An Hypothesis 104of fire explicated in twelve particulars, wherein the Action of the Air, as a Menstruum in the dissolution of all sulphureous bodies, is 105very particularly explicated, and some other Considerations about the Air proposed: the examination of 106a piece of Lignum fossile sent from Rome, and some Conclusions thence deduc'd.
107Observ. 17.Of Wood, and other Bodies, petrified.
Several Observations of divers 108kinds of these substances. A more particular examination and explication of one very notable piece of petrified Wood; and some Conjectures about the cause of those productions: 109several Observations made on other 110petrified Bodies, as shells, &c. And 111some probable Conclusions thence 112deduc'd, about the original cause of those Bodies.
113Observ. 18.Of the Pores of Cork, and other Bodies.
114Several Observations and Considerations about the nature of Cork: the number of Pores in a cubical
Inch, and several considerations 115about Pores. Several Experiments and Observations about the nature of Cork: the Texture and Pores of the Pith of an Elder, and several other Trees: of the Stalks of Burdocks, Teasels, Daisies, Carret, Fennel, 116Ferne, Reeds, &c. of the frothy texture of the Pith of a Feather: some Conjectures about the probability of values in these Pores. Argued also from the Phænomena of sensible 117and humble Plant:
120some Observations on which are inserted.
121Observ. 19.Of a Vegetable growing on blighted Leaves.
122Several Observations and 123Examinations made of them: several 124Considerations about spontaneous 125generation arising from the putrefaction of Bodies.
Observ. 20.Of Blew Mould and Mushromes.
126The description of several kinds 127of Moulds. The method of proceeding in natural Inquiries. Several Considerations about the nature of Mould and Mushromes. 1. That they may be produc'd without seed. 2. That they seem to have none. 3. That Salts, &c. are shap'd into as 128curious figures without a seed. 4. Of a kind of Mushrome growing in a Candle: A more particular explication of this last sort of Mushromes. 1295. Of the figure and manner of the production of petrified Iceicles: several deductions from these Considerations, 130about the nature of the vegetation of Mould and Mushromes.
131Observ. 21.Of Moss.
132The description of several sorts of Mosses; upon this occasion several Conjectures, about the manner of the production of these kinds of Bodies, are hinted, and some of them explicated 133by a Similitude taken from a 134piece of Clock-work, The vast difference of the bigness of vegetable Bodies; and the probability that the least may comprehend as curious 135contrivances as the greatest. Of multitudes of other Moulds, Mosses, and Mushromes, and other vegetating Principles, in Water, Wood, &c.
Observ. 22.Of Sponges, and other fibrous Bodies.
136Several Observations and Conjectures about the making of these Bodies, and several Histories out of 137Authors. Scarce any other Body hath 138such a texture; the fibrous texture 139of Leather, Spunk, &c. (which are there describ'd) come nearest to it. That upon tryal with a piece of 140Spunge and Oyl the necessity of respiration could not be alter'd.
Observ. 23.Of the Form of Seaweed.
From the curiously shap'd Surface of this Sea-weed, and some 141others, is conjectured the possibility of Multitudes of the like.
Observ. 24.Of the Surfaces of some Leaves.
The description, 1. Of the bald Surfaces of Leaves. 2. Of the downy Surfaces of several others. 3. Of the gummous exsudation, or 142small transparent Pearls, discovered with a Microscope in several others. An Instance of all which is afforded in a Rosemary Leaf.
Observ. 25.Of the stinging Points of a Nettle.
143A description of the Needles and several other contrivances in the leaf 144of a Nettle: how the stinging pain is created: upon this several considerations about poysoning Darts are set down. An Experiment of killing Effs, and Fishes with Salt. Some conjectures at the efficacy of Baths; the use that may be made of injecting into the 145Veins. A very remarkable History out of Bellonius; and some Considerations about staining and dying of Bodies.
Observ. 26.Of Cowage.
The definition of it out of Parkinson: 146an Experiment made of it: a description, and some conjectures at the cause of the Phænomena.
Observ. 27.Of the Beard of a wild Oat. 147 148The description of its shape and 149properties: the manner of making a 150Hygroscope with it; and a 151Conjecture at the causes of these motions, 152and of the motions of the Muscles.
Observ. 28.Of the Seeds of Venice Looking-glass.
153The description of them.
Obser. 29.Of the Seeds of Time.
154A description of them. A digression about Natures method.
Observ. 30.Of Poppy Seeds.
155The description and use of them.
Observ. 31.Of Purslane Seeds.
A description of these and many other Seeds.
157Observ. 32.Of Hair.
158The description of several sorts of Hair; their Figures and Textures: 159the reason of their colours, A description 160of the texture of the skin, and of 161Spunk and Sponges: by what passages and pores of the skin transpiration seems to be made. Experiments to prove the porousness of the skin of Vegetables.
162Observ. 33.Of the Scales of a Soale.
A description of their beauteous form.
163Observ. 34.Of the Sting of a Bee.
164A description of its shape, mechanisme, and use.
165Observ. 35.Of Feathers. 166 167A description of the shape and curious contexture of Feathers: and some conjectures thereupon.
Obser. 36.Of Peacocks Feathers.
168A description of their curious form 169and proprieties; with a conjecture at the cause of their variable colours.
Obser. 37.Of the Feet of Flyes, and other Insects.
170A description of their figure, parts, 171and use; and some considerations thereupon.
172Obser. 38.Of the Wings of Flyes.
After what manner and how swiftly 173the wings of Insects move. A description of the Pendulums under the 174wings, and their motion; the shape and structure of the parts of the wing.
175Obser. 39.Of the Head of a Fly.
1. All the face of a Drone-fly is nothing almost but eyes.2. Those are 176of two magnitudes.3. They are Hemispheres, and very reflective and smooth.4. Some directed towards every quarter.5. How the fly cleanses them.6. Their number.7. Their order: 177divers particulars observ'd in the 178dissecting a head. That these are very probably the eyes of the Creature; argued from several Observations and 179Experiments, that Crabs, Lobsters, Shrimps, seem to be water Insects, and to be framed much like Air Insects. 180Several Considerations about their manner of vision.
Obser. 40.Of the Teeth of a Snail.
181A brief description of it.
Observ. 41.Of the Eggs of Silkworms.
182Several Observables about the Eggs of Insects.
183Observ. 42.Of a blue Fly.
184A description of its outward and inward parts. Its hardiness to indure 185freezing, and sleeping in Spirit of wine.
Observ. 43.Of a water Insect.
186A description of its shape, transparency, motion, both internal and progressive, 187and transformation. A History somewhat Analogus cited out of 188Piso. Several Observations about the various wayes of the generations of 189Insects: by what means they act so 190seemingly wisely and prudently. Several 191Quæries propounded.Postscript, 192containing a relation of another very odd way of the generation of Insects. An Observation about the fertility of the Earth of our Climate in producing 193Insects, and of divers other wayes of their generation.
Observ. 44.Of the tufted Gnat.
Several Observables about Insects, 194and a more particular description of the parts of this Gnat.
195Ob. 45.Of the great belly'd Gnat.
A short description of it.
Obser. 46.Of a white Moth.
196A description of the feathers and 197wings of this, and several other 198Insects. Divers Considerations about the wings, and the flying of Insects and Birds.
Obs. 47.Of the Shepherd Spider.
A description of its Eyes: and the 199sockets of its long legs: and a Conjecture of the mechanical reason of its fabrick; together with a supposition, that 'tis not unlikely, but Spiders may have the make of their inward parts 200exactly like a Crab, which may be call'd a water Spider.
Obser. 48.Of the hunting Spider.
A short description of it; to which 201is annext an excellent History of it, made by Mr. Evelyn. Some further
202Observations on other Spiders, and their Webs, together with an examination of a white Substance flying up and down in the Air after a Fog.
203Obser. 49.Of an Ant.
That all small Bodies, both Vegetable and Animal, do quickly dry and wither. The best remedy I found to hinder it, and to make the Animal lye still 204to be observ'd. Several particulars related of the actions of this Creature; 205and a short description of its parts.
Obs. 50.Of the wandring Mite.
206A description of this Creature, and of another very small one, which usually 207bore it company. A Conjecture at the original of Mites.
Observ. 51.Of a Crab-like Insect. 208A brief description of it.
Observ. 52.Of a Book-worm.
209A description of it; where by the way is inserted a digression, experimentally explicating the Phænomena 210of Pearl. A consideration of its digestive faculty.
Observ. 53.Of a Flea.
211A short description of it.
Observ. 54.Of a Louse.
212A description of its parts, and some 213notable circumstances.
Observ. 55.Of Mites.
The exceeding smalness of some Mites, and their Eggs. A description 214of the Mites of Cheese: and an intimation of the variety of forms in other 215Mites, with a Conjecture at the reason.
Ob. 56.Of small Vine-Mites.
A description of them; a ghess at their original; their exceeding smalness 216compar'd with that of a Wood-louse, from which they may be suppos'd to come.
Observ. 57.Of Vinegar-worms.
217A description of them, with some considerations on their motions.
Obs. 58.Of the Inflexion of the Rays of Light in the Air.
218A short rehearsal of several Phænomena. 219An attempt to explicate them: the supposition founded on two Propositions, both which are indeavoured to be made out by several Experiments. What density and rarity is in respect of refraction: the refraction of Spirit of Wine compared with 220that of common Water: the refraction of Ice. An Experiment of making an Undulation of the Rays by the mixing of Liquors of differing density. The 221explication of inflection, mechanically and hypothetically: what Bodies have such an inflection. Several Experiments to shew that the Air has 222this propriety; that it proceeds from the differing density of the Air: that the upper and under part of the Air 223are of differing density: some Experiments to prove this. A Table of the strength of the spring of the Air, answering to each degree of extension; 224when first made, and when repeated. 225Another Experiment of compressing 226the Air. A Table of the strength of the Air, answering to each compression and expansion; from which the height
227of the Air may be suppos'd indefinite; 228to what degree the Air is rarifi'd at any distance above the Surface of the Earth: how, from this, Inflection is 229inferr'd; and several Phænomena 230explain'd. That the Air near the Earth is compos'd of parts of differing 231density; made probable by several 232Experiments and Observations; how this propriety produces the effects of the waving and dancing of Bodies; and of the twinkling of the Stars. 233Several Phænomena explicated. Some Quæries added. 1. Whether this Principle may not be made use of, for perfecting Optick 234Glasses? What might be hoped from it if it were to be done? 2. Whether from this Principle the apparition of some new Stars may not be explicated? 3. Whether the height of the Air may be defin'd by it? 4. Whether there may not sometimes be so great a disparity of density between the upper and under parts of the Air, as to make a reflecting Surface? 2355. Whether, if so, this will not explicate the Phænomena of the Clouds. An Experiment to this purpose? 2367. Whether the Rayes from the top of Mountains are not bended into Curve-lines by inflection? An Argument for it, taken from an Experiment made on St. Paul's Steeple. 8. Whether the distance of the Planets will not be more difficult to 237be found? What wayes are most likely to rectifie the distance of the Moon: the way of fitting Telescopes for such Observations. How to make the 238Observations, and how from them to find the true distance of the Moon at any time. How the distance of the Sun 239may be found by two Observators. The way by the Dicotomy of the Moon uncertain. That the distance of the Moon may be less then it has been hitherto suppos'd. Kepler's Supposition 240not so probable: the explication of the Phænomena by another Hypothesis.
241Observ. 59.Of the fixt Stars.
Of the multitudes of Stars discoverable by the Telescope, and the variety of their magnitudes: 78. Stars distinguisht in the Pleiades: that there are degrees of bigness even in the Stars accounted of the same magnitude: the longer the Glasses are, and the bigger apertures they will indure, the more fit they are for these discoveries: that 'tis probable, longer Glasses would yet 242make greater discoveries. 5. Stars discover'd in the Galaxie of Orion's Sword.
Observ. 60.Of the Moon.
A description of a Vale in the Moon; what call'd by Hevelius and Ricciolus, and how describ'd by them: 243with what substances the hills of the Moon may be cover'd. A description of the pits of the Moon, and a conjecture at their cause: two Experiments that make it probable, that of the surface 244of boyl'd Alabaster dust seeming the most likely to be resembled by eruptions of vapours out of the body of the Moon: that Earthquakes seem to be generated much the same way, and their effects seem very similar. An Argument that there may be such variations in the Moon, because greater have been observ'd in the Sun: because 245the substance of the Moon and Earth seem much alike: and because 'tis probable the Moon has a gravitating principle: this is argued from several 246particulars. The reason why several pits are one within another. The use that may be made of this Instance of a gravity in the Moon.