nsiderable Reflections may be seen in
Mr. _Boyle_'s _Essay of Firmness_: In _Helmont de Lithiase_, where, among
other remarques, is recited the Testimony of _Paraeus_ of a _Petrified
Child_ seen at _Paris_, and by the Owner used for a _Whetstone_: In
_Densingius_'s Historia _Infantis in Abdomine inventi, & in duritiem
lapideam conversi_: In Mr. _Hook_'s _Micrography_, and in others. To omit
now, what has been related (but perhaps not well enough attested) by
Authors, concerning the stupendious Petrifications of whole Companies of
Men, and Troops of Cattle; by _Aventinus_, lib. 7. _Annal. Bojorum_; by
_Purchas_ in his _Pilgrimage_ p. 416. in fol. printed at _London_ 1614,
and, (of a Troop of _Spanish_ Horsemen) by _Jos. Acosta_ lib. 3. c. 9.

To all which, the curious Dr. _Beale_ now adds a Narrative of a Stone, not
long since taken out of the Womb of a Woman of his neighbourhood neer
_Trent_ in _Somersetshire_, by incision, and afterwards perfectly cured,
though she had born the Stone with extreme torments for. 8. or 9. years.
The operation he relates to have been made in _Easter_ last; after which
time, he affirms to have seen the Stone, and weigh'd it in Gold Scales,
where it wanted somewhat of four Ounces, but had lost of the weight, it
formerly had, {321} being very light for a Stone of that Bulk. He further
describes to be of a whitish colour, lighter than Ash-colour; perchance
(_saith he_) not unlike to that recited out of _Scaliger_ by Mr. _Boyle_ in
his _Essay of Firmness_ pag. 238. _qui aeris contactis postea in gypseam
tum speciem tum firmitatem concreverat_. It had no deep asperities, and had
somewhat of an Oval figure, but less at one end, than a Hen-Egge, and
bigger and blunter at the other end, than a Goose egge.

This Stone, (so he concludes) is intended for the _Royal Society_, with the
Testimony of the _Chirurgion_, that perform'd the Operation, and other
Witnesses of special credit; where also will be annexed the _manner_ of
Operation.

It appears by this last clause (to add that on this occasion) that this
Well-wisher to the Improvement of all usefull knowledge, has taken notice
of that considerable _Collection of Curiosities_, lately presented to the
lately nam'd Society for their _Repository_, by the Publick-minded
Gentleman Mr. _Daniel Colwall_, a very worthy and useful Member of that
Body: To which Repository whatsoever is presented as rare and curious, will
be with great care, together with the