[112] i. e. The five regular bodies, the pyramid, cube, octaedron, dodecaedron and icosaedron; concerning which, and their application to the theory of the universe, see Kepler’s admirable work, De Harmonia Mundi.
[113] It may be doubted whether the optics and catoptrics, ascribed to Euclid in the editions of his works are genuine: for Savil, and Dr. Gregory, think them scarcely worthy so great a man.
[114] There are two excellent editions of this work, one by Meibomius, in his collection of ancient authors on harmony; and the other by Dr. Gregory, in his collection of Euclid’s works.
[115] This work is most probably lost. See Dr. Gregory’s Euclid.
[116] All this is shewn by Proclus in the following Commentaries; and is surely most admirable and worthy the investigation of every liberal mind; but I am afraid modern mathematicians very little regard such knowledge, because it cannot be applied to practical and mechanical purposes.
[117] This work is unfortunately lost.
[118] Because this is true only in isosceles and equilateral triangles.
[119] This follows from the 32d proposition of the first book of Euclid; and is demonstrated by Dr. Barrow, in his scholium to that proposition.
[120] The method of constructing these is shewn by our philosopher, in his comment on the first proposition, as will appear in the second volume of this work.
[121] The reader will please to observe, that the definitions are, indeed, hypotheses, according to the doctrine of Plato, as may be seen in the note to chap, i. book I. of this work.