Fairy circles
Date
1690-91
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p77
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 363mm
width (page): 237mm
width (page): 237mm
Subject
Description
Marginal drawing of fairy circles, presumed to be caused by the 'breathing out of a fertile subterraneous vapour'. This drawing is found in 'Memoires of Naturall Remarques in the county of Wiltshire, to which are annexed observables of the same kind in the county of Surrey and Flynt-shire' by John Aubrey, FRS.
This manuscript is a transcript of Aubrey's original, made by B. G. Cramer, Clerk to the Royal Society, in 1690-91.
This manuscript is a transcript of Aubrey's original, made by B. G. Cramer, Clerk to the Royal Society, in 1690-91.
Transcription
As to the green Circles on the Downes Irregularly called Faiery-dances ^circles I presume they are generated from the breathing out of a fertile subterraneous vapour, which comes from å [a conical concave in the margent] & the like Cone at çç which is the green Circle. Every Tobacco-Taker knowes that tis no strange thing for a Circle of Smoake to be whifft out of the Bowle of the pipe: but tis donne by chance. If you digge under the Turfe of this Circle, you will find at the rootes of the grasse a hoare or mouldinesse. But as these are fertile steames, so contrary-wise there are noxious-ones, cateris paribus, appear in a circular forme.
[under image]: The Ring worme on a mans flesh is Circular: excogitate a Paralolisme - between the Cordial heat & the Subterraean heat to elucidate this Phaenomenon.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
[under image]: The Ring worme on a mans flesh is Circular: excogitate a Paralolisme - between the Cordial heat & the Subterraean heat to elucidate this Phaenomenon.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
By John Aubrey, FRS. This manuscript is a transcript of Aubrey's original manuscript (1685). It was transcribed by B. G. Cramer, Clerk to the Royal Society, at the behest of the Society in 1690-91.
At page 67 is inserted a map of a navigable passage from Bristol to London, engraved by Thomas Jenner in 1668, with the arms of the borough. Six leaves of additional matter are inserted at page 276, and four more at page 304.
At page 67 is inserted a map of a navigable passage from Bristol to London, engraved by Thomas Jenner in 1668, with the arms of the borough. Six leaves of additional matter are inserted at page 276, and four more at page 304.
Related fellows
John Aubrey (1626 - 1697, British) , Antiquary
Associated place