Essay on the Theory of the Earth

by baron Georges Cuvier

[182] The whole of this system is developed by Censorinus, De Die Natali, cap. xviii. and xxi.

[183] Ideler. Historical Researches regarding the Astronomical Observations of the Ancients. M. Halma’s translation, at the end of his Canon de Ptolomée, p. 32. et seq.

[184] Bainbridge, Canicul.

[185] Petau, Var. Dios. lib. v. cap. vi. p. 108.—Also, La Nanze, Acad. de Bell. Lett. t. xiv. p. 346.

[186] Petau. loc. cit. M. Ideler asserts that this concurrence of the heliacal rising of Sirius also took place in 2782 before Christ. (Historical Researches in M. Halma’s Ptolomée, vol. iv. p. 37.) But with regard to the Julian year 1598 after Christ, which is also the last of a great year, Petau and Ideler differ much from each other. The latter refers the heliacal rising of Sirius to the 22d July; the former to the 19th or 20th of August.

[187] See, in the great work on Egypt, Antiq. Memoirs, vol. 1. p. 803. the ingenious Memoir of M. Fourier, entitled Recherches sur les Sciences et le Gouvernement de l’Egypte.

[188] These are the words of the late M. Nouet, Astronomer to the Expedition to Egypt. See Volney, New Inquiries regarding Ancient History, vol. iii.

[189] Delambre, Abregé d’Astronomie, p. 217; and in his note upon the Parantaellons, in his History of the Astronomy of the Middle Age, p. lij.

[190] Delambre, Report upon M. de Paravey’s Memoir regarding the Sphere, in the 8th vol. of the Nouvelles Annales des Voyages.

[191] Ideler, loc. cit. p. 38.