Paper, ['An essay concerning giants'] by Thomas Molyneux

Description

An essay by Molyneux on giants, with additional remarks on large human forehead bone written about by Molyneux in volume 15, number 168 of Philosophical Transactions. Molyneux discusses various specimens, both fake and real, of bones from supposed 'giants' and justifies his identification of the large forehead bone as that of a human. He describes the bone in detail, with its exact measurements, and speculates on the proportions and stature of the man from whom it came and any medical conditions that could have caused this large stature. The paper is incomplete and starts at page 9.

Subject: Anatomy

Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'An essay concerning Giants. Occasioned by some further remarks on the large Humane Os Frontis, or Forehead-bone, mentioned in the Philosophical Transactions of February 1684/85, Number 168'.

Written by Molyneux in Dublin [Ireland] and addressed to Dr [Hans] Sloane at Temple Coffeehouse [Fleet Street, London]. Read to the Royal Society on 7 June 1699.

Reference number

CLP/13/9

Earliest possible date

19 May 1699

Physical description

Ink on paper

Page extent

24 pages

Format

Manuscript