The Unity of Nature. VIII. The Origin of Religion Considered in the Light of the Unity of Nature
Duke of Argyll
1881
Science
Known as the Early Journal Content, this set of works include research articles, news, letters, and other writings published in more than 200 of the oldest leading academic journals. The works date from the mid--seventeenth to the early twentieth centuries. We encourage people to read and share the Early Journal Content openly and to tell others that this resource exists. People may post this content online or redistribute in any way for non--commercial purposes. Read more about Early Journal
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... ntent at http://about.jstor.org/participate--jstor/individuals/early-journal--content. JSTOR is a digital library of academic journals, books, and primary source objects. JSTOR helps people discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content through a powerful research and teaching platform, and preserves this content for future generations. JSTOR is part of ITHAKA, a not--for--profit organization that also includes Ithaka S+R and Portico. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. 282 SCIENCE. THE latest number of the journal of the Royal Aficrosco,icacJoioral is largely occupied with papers discussing the question of angular aperture; that by Mr. Frank Crisp disposes of 6o pages, and another by Professor E. Abbe occupies 30 pages. Thle editor of the Amer-icait Jorizal of Mficroscopy) proposes to offer the whole of Mr. Crisp's paper in a forthcoming number; those, therefore, who are interested in the subject can read it there in its integrity; in the meantime, the resume' to be found in another part of this issue, may be found useful. We may remind our readers that this discussion has continued for the last ten years, with the prospect of a settlement of the question as remote as ever. Probably the Counsel for Cadet Whittaker, at the recent court-martial, was not aware of the magnitude of the question when he asked Professor Piper, of Chicago, " What is Angular Aperture ? " Perhaps Mr. Park Benjamin, who is said to have prompted the question, will himself answer the question. A WRITER in 7T?,e JOm/IP,ll of Scielce" defends the old system of " Weights and Measures " as against the metric system. He admits that in refined scientific investigations the metric system has advantages, but he is opposed to it for purposes of daily life and retail trade. He maintains that the nom-ienclature and the notation of the metric system requires reorganizing, with plain, simple and short names for its various grades, to be expressed in such a manner as to banish the decimal point beyond all ordinary transactions. It appears to us that the metric system requires little apology for its defects, when, as the writer admits, the old system is complicated, and has a total want of uniity in its weights and measures. In England, a peck of potatoes, apples, etc., is 20 lbs. in Lanicashire, 2I lbs. in Sheffield, I4 lbs. in Huddersfield, anld i6 lbs. in Halifax. A stone of anything is in some districts I4, and in others i 6 lbs. A gill in the north of England is half, but in the south only a quarter, of a pint. Almost every county has its peculiar acre, and these examples might be multiplied. 4%
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