Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/387

Rh It is more to the purpose to read, under the same date : —

On the 13th January, 1661–2, Pepys would seem to have made acquaintance with what is known as "Rupert's Drops,"! the mode of fracture of which is nearly identical with the newly- discovered toughened glass of the present day : — " Mr. Peter did show us the experiment (which 1 had heard talke of) of the chymicall glasses which break all to dust by breaking off a little small end; which is a great mystery to me."

An astounding fact in Natural History is disclosed in an entry under date February 4th, 1661–2. It is to be feared that Mr. Templer (supposed to have been a clergyman, too) was given to travellers' tales : —

This was in Crooked Lane.

+ Mr. Jonas Moore (known as one of the most eminent mathematicians of his day, knighted by Charles II., and who died in 1679; was clearly much in advance of his time.

+ "Rupert's drops" was the name given to a philosophical toy brought to England by Prince Rupert. These are small tadpole-shaped pieces of glass which have been formed by allowing fused glass to drop into water. A blow may be given with impunity to the head of the glass tadpole ; but the mere breaking off of the tail causes the whole to fly to dust with a sharp explosion. ('Encyclopaedia Britannica.' article " Annealing.")