Abstract
IN a review of Prof. Bretschneider's History of Early Geometry we have mentioned some clever attempts to square a circle, made at a time when this problem engaged the attention of the first mathematicians. Then, however, as at present, there existed circle squarers of a different kind, who excel only in demonstrating their own ignorance. A fine specimen is preserved by Simpbkios. Some persons had heard of square numbers which are at the same time cyclical, that is to say, the last figure in the square number is the same as that of the root, as 25 and 5. Nothing, of course, could be more evident to them than that a number which is both square and cyclos must be a measure for the circle. Mr. Harris ranks almost as high, only he does not give his conclusions in quite so short a form. His book is to consist of four parts in quarto, of which the first contains merely a preface, preliminary arguments, and on the last page an introduction. In the preface the author excuses the haste in which the publication has taken place, with the remark that if his researches are of value they cannot be brought early enough before the public,—if a failure “the communication itself would not be worth the additional labour bestowed on improving its form.” This latter conclusion we willingly grant. It is only to be regretted that Mr. Harris has not had the same opinion of the time he spent in writing this communication and preparing the numerous and long figures which fill ten large plates.
Kuklos; an Experimental Investigation into the Relationship of Certain Lines.
By John Harris Part I. (Montreal, 1870)
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Kuklos; an Experimental Investigation into the Relationship of Certain Lines . Nature 4, 25 (1871). https://doi.org/10.1038/004025a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/004025a0