On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences

Front Cover
J. Murray, 1835 - 493 pages
 

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 432 - ... the squares of the periodic times of the planets are proportional to the cubes of their mean distances from the sun.
Page 432 - The squares of the periods of revolution of any two planets are proportional to the cubes of their mean distances from the sun.
Page 29 - That day, as other solemn days, they spent In song and dance about the sacred Hill — Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere Of planets and of fixed in all her wheels Resembles nearest; mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most when most irregular they seem; And in their motions harmony divine So smooths her charming tones that God's own ear Listens delighted.
Page 407 - ... the firmament of large stars, into which the central cluster would be seen projected, and (owing to its greater distance) appearing like it to consist of stars much smaller than those in other parts of the heavens. "Can it be,'' asks Sir J. Herschel, " that we have here a brother system, bearing a real physical resemblance and strong analogy of structure to our own ?
Page 317 - The spritsail yard and mizzen boom were lighted by the reflection, as if gas lights had been burning directly below them ; and until just before daybreak, at four o'clock, the most minute objects were distinctly visible. Day broke very slowly, and the sun rose of a fiery and threatening aspect. Rain followed. Captain Bonnycastle caused a bucket of this fiery water to be drawn up ; it was one mass of light, when stirred by the hand, and not in sparks, as usual, but in actual coruscations. A portion...
Page 396 - It is impossible to imagine any thing more tremendous than a conflagration that could be visible at such a distance.
Page 436 - The circumference of every circle is supposed to be divided into 360 equal parts called degrees, and each degree into 60 equal parts called minutes, and each minute into 60 equal parts called seconds, and these into thirds, fourths, &c.
Page 114 - ... them requires. Hence, on account of the Inertia of the waters, if the tides be considered relatively to the whole earth, and open sea, there is a meridian about 30° eastward of the moon, where it is always high water both in the hemisphere where the moon is and in that which is opposite. On the west side of this circle the tide is flowing, on the east it is ebbing, and on every part of the meridian at 90° distant, it is low water.
Page iii - If I have succeeded in my endeavour to make the laws by which the material world is governed, more familiar to my countrywomen, I shall have the gratification of thinking, that the gracious permission to dedicate my book to your Majesty has not been misplaced.

Bibliographic information