Greenwich Observatory
was built in 1675. Halley used a barometer to measure the density
of the atmosphere and related its readings to elevations into the
atmosphere and to weather. He determined that the cause of the
tropical trade winds was the sun warming the tropical air at the
equator, causing it to rise blow away from the equator to replace
cooler air. He illustrated the tropical winds with the first
meteorological map. He made a descent in a diving bell, which was
used to try to reach wrecked treasure ships. He compiled a table
of mortality, which originated the science of life-statistics. He
studied fossils and perceived them as remnants of living beings
that had died long ago, and imagined a succession of living
things. Halley surveyed the tides and coasts of the British
Channel for the king in 1701.
In 1675, apothecary Nicolas Lemery divided substances into
mineral, vegetable, and animal. He wrote a dictionary of
pharmaceuticals.
John Ray and Francis Willughby were friends who traveled together
to study plants and animals respectively. John Ray started the
science of zoology with his edition of Francis Willoughby's
"Ornithology" on birds and his own "History of Fishes". He also
attempted the first scientific classification of animals in his
"Synopsis of Quadrupeds". Ray compared anatomies and experimented
on movements of plants and the ascent of sap. He knew what fossils
were.
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