Cosmos, sketch of a physical description of the universe / By Alexander von Humboldt. Translated [by Mrs. E.J. Sabine] under the superintendence of Lieut.-Col. Edward Sabine [the editor].

  • Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cosmos, sketch of a physical description of the universe / By Alexander von Humboldt. Translated [by Mrs. E.J. Sabine] under the superintendence of Lieut.-Col. Edward Sabine [the editor]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    upon the view which has been taken of the Celestial Phz- nomena in the volume now published. It has been M. de Humboldt’s wish, and kindly pressed by him, that the Editor should add such notes as he might think desirable, particularly in the branches of science in which he has himself engaged: he has felt the propriety of exercising this privilege very sparingly, and has only availed himself of it in additions to Notes 132, 136, 139, 143, 158, 179, 373, and 382%, Measures of itinerary distance are expressed in the origi- nal work in geographical miles of 15 to the degree; these have been converted in the translation into geographical miles of 60 to the degree, as more consonant to English usage. Measures of length are expressed by M. de Hum- boldt usually in French feet and toises, which have been retained in the translation; but the equivalent values in English feet have been added whenever it has appeared de- sirable to do so. In like manner the measures of tempera- ture in Fahrenheit’s scale have been given x addition to those in the Centesimal scale WOooLWwIcH, Auc. 22, 1846, * A short addition has also been made to Note 381 in the second edition; and an index of names and subjects has been appended,—May 7, 1847,