(1) Geometrical Optics: (2) Geometrische Optik.

Abstract

(1) FEW men were more versatile than Sir William RowanHamilton (1805-1865). In early youth he showed amazing linguistic ability, and attained a high standard in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, French, Persian, Arabic, Chaldee, Syriac, Sanskrit, Hindustani, Bengali, and other languages. He then turned to mathematics, astronomy and physics, and at the age of seventeen years he began to produce original work in geometrical optics. Hamilton's achievements were so great and so varied that it has taken the scientific world a long time to appreciate their full extent. Nineteenth century mathematicians esteemed him principally for his theory of quaternions. Since the rise of quantum mechanics, we now realize the fundamental importance of Hamiltonian dynamics. His optics, although his earliest work, has been the last to be appreciated.

(1) Geometrical Optics:

an Introduction to Hamilton's Method. By Prof. J. L. Synge. (Cambridge Tracts in Mathematics and Mathematical Physics, No. 37.) Pp. ix + 110. (Cambridge: At the University Press, 1937.) 6s. 6d. net.

(2) Geometrische Optik.

Von C. Carathéodory. (Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzbegiete, Band 4, Heft 5.) Pp. iv + 104. (Berlin: Julius Springer, 1937.) 9.90 gold marks.