Miscellanea Curiosa, Vol 1

Edmond Halley (1656 - 1742)

"The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world's most eminent scientists and is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence." (from its Mission Statement). As scientists have explored the world around them, observed and tried to explain natural phenomena, they have been invited to present papers to the Royal Society. Edmond Halley (of Halley's Comet fame) was an eminent member of the society and gathered together some of the most interesting papers of his day. Today, we may see errors in the logic or calculations, based on current knowledge, but these papers are unedited and as presented at the time and show how scientific knowledge was expanding in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Summary by Lynne Thompson

Genre(s): Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics & Mechanics, Earth Sciences

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Introduction Lynne T
00:27:15
Play 01 An Estimate of the Quantity of the Vapours Raised out of the Sea Derived from Experiment: Together with an Account of the Circulation of the Watry Vapours of the Sea, and of the Cause of Springs, presented to the Royal Society. By Mr. E. Halley, F. R. S. clarinetcarrot
00:21:06
Play 02 The True Theory of the Tides, Extracted from that Admired Treatise of Mr. Isaac Newton, Intitled, PhilosophiƦ Naturalis Principia Mathematica; Being a Discourse Presented with that Book to the Late King James, by Mr. Edmund Halley. Kathleen Moore
00:25:17
Play 03 A Theory of the Variation of the Magnetical Compass. By Mr. Ed. Halley, Fellow of the Royal Society. Barbara Baker
00:27:25
Play 04 An Account of the Cause of the Change of the Variation of the Magnetical Needle, with an Hypothesis of the Structure of the Internal Parts of the Earth; as it was proposed to the Royal Society in one of their late Meetings. By Mr. Edmund Halley. Barbara Baker
00:37:19
Play 05 An Historical Account of the Trade Winds and Monsoons, observable in the Seas between and near the Tropicks, with an attempt to assign the Physical Cause of the said Winds, by Mr. Ed. Halley. Barbara Baker
00:41:27
Play 06 A Discourse of the Rule of the Decrease of the height of the Mercury in the Barometer, according as Places are elevated above the Surface of the Earth; with an Attempt to discover the true Reason of the Rising and Falling of the Mercury, upon Change of Weather. By Edm. Halley. NoelBadrian
00:32:06
Play 07 A Letter of Mr. Isaac Newton, Professor of the Mathematicks in the University of Cambridge; containing his New Theory about Light and Colours: Sent by the Author to the Publisher from Cambridge, Feb. 6. 1671/2; in order to be communicated to the Royal Society. Keren Turton
00:29:00
Play 08 A farther Explanation of the same Theory. Amy Gramour
00:09:26
Play 09 An introductory Essay to the Doctrine of Sounds, containing some Proposals for the improvement of Acousticks; As it was presented to the Dublin Society, Nov. 12. 1683, by the Right Reverend Father in God Narcissus Lord Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin. MaryAnn
00:35:00
Play 10 A Discourse concerning the Modern Theory of Generation, by Dr. George Garden of Aberdeen, being part of a Letter to Dr. William Musgrave, L. L. D. Reg. Soc. S. and by him communicated the Royal Society. Anna Simon
00:21:30
Play 11 A short Discourse concerning Concoction: Read at a Meeting of the Royal Society, May ... 1699, by Clopton Havers, M. D. Fellow of the Royal Society. Jim Locke
00:33:37
Play 12 A Discourse concerning some Influence of Respiration on the Motion of the Heart, hitherto unobserved. By J. Drake, M. D. F. R. S. part 1 Carol
00:36:03
Play 13 A Discourse concerning some Influence of Respiration on the Motion of the Heart, hitherto unobserved. By J. Drake, M.D.F.R.S. Carol
00:32:20
Play 14 Some Thoughts and Experiments concerning Vegetation. By John Woodward, M. D. of the College of Physicians, and R. S. and Professor of Physick in Gresham College. Part 1 Ann Boulais
00:31:33
Play 15 Some Thoughts and Experiments concerning Vegetation. By John Woodward, M. D. of the College of Physicians, and R. S. and Professor of Physick in Gresham College. Part 2 Ann Boulais
00:35:30
Play 16 An Account of the Measure of the thickness of Gold upon Gilt Wire; together with Demonstration of the exceeding Minuteness of the Atoms or constituent Particles of Gold; as it was read before the Royal Society, by E. Halley. Lynne T
00:05:00
Play 17 An Account of the several Species of Infinite Quantity, and of the Proportions they bear one to the other; as it was read before the Royal Society, by E. Halley. Kristin G.
00:06:13
Play 18 An Account of Dr. Robert Hook's Invention of the Marine Barometer, with its Description and Uses; published by order of the Royal Society, by E. Halley, R. S. S. Paula Priebe
00:07:37
Play 19 A Discourse concerning the Proportional Heat of the Sun in all Latitudes, with the Method of collecting the same; as it was read before the Royal Society, in one of their late Meetings. By E. Halley. TriciaG
00:16:48
Play 20 Concerning the Distance of the Fix'd Stars. By the Honourable Francis Roberts, Esq; S. R. S. Paula Priebe
00:04:15
Play 21 The Famous Mr. Isaac Newton's Theory of the Moon. Availle
00:22:50
Play 22 An Estimate of the Degrees of the Mortality of Mankind, drawn from curious Tables of the Births and Funerals at the City of Breslaw; with an Attempt to ascertain the Price of Annuities upon Lives. By Mr. E. Halley, R. S. S. Kalynda
00:41:58
Play 23 A Discourse concerning Gravity, and its Properties, wherein the Descent of Heavy Bodies, and the Motion of Projects is briefly, but fully handled: Together with the Solution of a Problem of great Use in Gunnery. By E. Halley. Cynthia Brooks
00:55:06
Play 24 A Proposition of general Use in the Art of Gunnery, shewing the Rule of laying a Mortar to pass, in order to strike an Object above or below the Horizon. Paula Priebe
00:08:36
Play 25 A Discourse concerning the Measure of the Airs Resistance to Bodies moved in it. By the Learned John Wallis, S. T. D. and R. S. S. TriciaG
00:28:31
Play 26 An Analytical Resolution of certain Equations of the Third, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth Powers, and so on ad Infinitum, in finite Terms, after the manner of Cardan's Rules for Cubicks. By Mr. A. Moivre, Transact. No 309. TriciaG
00:11:18
Play 27 An Instance of the Excellence of the Modern Algebra, in the Resolution of the Problem of finding the Foci of Optick Glasses Universally. By E. Halley, S. R. S. TriciaG
00:23:53
Play 28 A Discourse concerning the Action of the Sun and Moon on Animal Bodies; and the Influence which This may have in many Diseases. By Richard Mead, M. D. F. R. S. Part 1 TriciaG
00:21:49
Play 29 A Discourse concerning the Action of the Sun and Moon on Animal Bodies; and the Influence which This may have in many Diseases. By Richard Mead, M. D. F. R. S. Part 2 TriciaG
00:27:22