The American Journal of Science and Arts Volume 33

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 Excerpt: ... THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. Art. I.--Examination of the Theory of a Resisting Medium, in which it is assumed that the Planets and Comets of our System are moved; by R. W. Haskins, of Buffalo, N. Y. In all ages, when astronomy has been cultivated, the opinion seems to have been entertained, in some one or more of its numerous forms and modifications, that the regions around us, beyond our atmosphere, and to an indefinite extent, are supplied with a rare, invisible medium, of unknown composition and character, in which all the bodies of our solar system, and perhaps the bodies of all other systems also, in executing the several motions assigned them, are necessitated to move. To this substance the name of ether has usually been applied; and by this name we propose to designate it, while we examine into its history, the evidences of its existence, and its effects. The period at which this celestial ether was introduced into the science of astronomy, no less than the race of people by whom it was effected, is probably beyond the reach of inquiry: we know only that in the most remote periods of the history of that science, we find it constituting a prominent part of the celestial mechanism. The Bramins, of India, whose astronomical tables, constructed more than three thousand years before the Christian era, are still preserved to us, (I) assumed its existence, and figuratively supposed the stars to move themselves therein, in a manner (1) Bailly, Traite de l'Astronomie Indienne et Orientale: Prof. Playfair's, works, articles Astronomy of the Bramins, and Trigonometry of do.; Hutton's History of Algebra, and Rev. S. Vince's complete System of Astronomy, Vol. 2, p. 252. Vol. XXXIII.--No. 1. 1 similar to the movement of fish in water.(2) The name by which ...