To C. R. WELD, Esq. Assistant Secretary to the Royal Society, I am indebted for affording facilities for copying the manuscript. Lastly, my obligations and thanks are due to MR. T. E. JONES, for the accurate transcript which he made from Aubrey’s fair manuscript, for collating the same with the original at Oxford, for selecting and arranging the extracts which are now for the first time printed, and for his scrupulous and persevering assistance throughout the preparation of the entire volume. But for such essential aid, it would have been out of my power to produce the work as it is now presented to the members of the “Wiltshire Topographical Society,” and to the critical reader. JOHN BRITTON. Burton Street, London. 1st September, 1847. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Title-page, with View of the Upper Part of the Tower of Sutton Benger Church. DEDICATION to G. P. SCROPE, Esq. M.P. The EDITOR’S PREFACE; with Historical and Descriptive Particulars of Aubrey’s Manuscripts Title-page to the Original Manuscript DEDICATION, by Aubrey, to THOMAS, EARL of PEMBROKE The AUTHOR’S Original PREFACE. Letter from John Ray to Aubrey, with Comments on the Writings of the latter. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. CHOROGRAPHIA:—Geological Remarks, Local Influences List of “THE CHAPTERS” PART I. CHAP. I. AIR:—Winds, Mists, Storms, Meteors, Echos, Sounds CHAP. II. SPRINGS MEDICINAL:—At Chippenham, Kington St. Michael, Draycot, Seend, Epsom, Melksham, Dundery-hill, Lavington, Devizes, Minety, Wotton Bassett, &c.; Sir W. Petty’s “Queries for the Tryall of Minerall Waters” CHAP. III. RIVERS:—Wily, North Avon, Upper Avon, Nadder, Stour, Deverill, Kennet, Marden, Thames, &c.; Proposal for a Canal to connect the Thames and North Avon. CHAP. IV. SOILS:—Clay, Marl, Fuller’s Earth, Chalk, Gravel, Sand; Downs, Fairy-rings, Becket’s Path at Winterbourn, Peat, Spontaneous Vegetation, Hills CHAP. V. MINERALS AND FOSSILS:—Iron, Silver, Copperas, Umber, Spar, Lead, Coal. CHAP. VI. STONES:—Of Haselbury, Chilmark, and Swindon; Lime, Chalk, Pebbles, Flints; the Grey Wethers CHAP. VII. FORMED STONES:—Belemnites, Madrepores, Oysters, Astroites, Cornua Ammonia, Echini, &c. CHAP. VIII. AN HYPOTHESIS OF THE TERRAQUEOUS GLOBE:—Learned Speculations on the structure of the Earth. CHAP. IX. PLANTS:—Herbs, Orcheston Knot-grass, Alhanna, Tobacco, Oak, Elm, Beech, Hazel, Yew, Box, Holly, Osiers, Elders, Ash, Glastonbury Thorn, &c. CHAP. X. BEASTS:—Deer, Hares, Rabbits, Dogs, Cattle CHAP. XI. FISHES:—Trout, Eels, Umbers or Grayling, Carp, Tench, Salmon; Fish-ponds, &c. CHAP. XII. BIRDS:—Larks, Woodpeckers, Bustards, Crows, Pheasants, Hawks, Sea-gulls, &c. CHAP. XIII. REPTILES AND INSECTS:—Snakes, Adders, Toads, Snails, Bees; Recipe to make Metheglyn CHAP. XIV. MEN AND WOMEN:—Longevity, Remarkable Births, &c.. CHAP. XV. DISEASES AND CURES:—Leprosy, the Plague, Gout, Ricketts, Pin-and-Web, &c.