Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/214

 refer'd it to some of the best Astronomers of Europe, to bring his Beginnings to Conclusion.

To many of these Queries they have already receiv'd good Returns, and Satisfaction; and more such Accounts are daily expected from all Coasts. Besides these, there have been several great and profitable Attempts, relating to the Good of Mankind, or the English Nation, propounded to them by many publick Bodies, and private Persons; which they have again recommended, to be examin'd apart, by diverse of their own Number, and by other men of Ability and Integrity, who have accepted of their Recommendations of this kind: The principal that I find recorded in their Registers, are these.

They have propounded the composing a Catalogue of all Trades, Works, and Manufactures, wherein men are employ'd; in order to the collecting each of their Histories, by taking notice of all the physical Receipts, or Secrets, the Instruments, Tools, and Engines, the Manual Operations or Slights, the Cheats, and ill Practices, the Goodness, Baseness, and different Value of Materials, and whatever else belongs to the Operations of all Trades.

They have recommended the making a Catalogue, of all the Kinds of natural Things to be found in England. This is already in a very good Forwardness: And for its better completing, many Expedients for the preserving, drying and embalming of all living Creatures have been prosecuted.

They have suggested the making a perfect Survey, Map, and Tables, of all the fix'd Stars within the Zodiac, both visible to the naked Eye, and discoverable by a six-foot Telescope, with a large Aperture; towards 2