DIURSAL MOTION OF TOE EARTH. 183 



New Theory of the Diurnal Motion of the Earth round its 

 Axis, In a Letter from Professor Wood. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 



Richmond Academy, State of Virginia, 

 SIR, Ath Feb. 1810. 



T, 



HE theory, of which tbis circular letter gives you a 

 very brief account, is published in English ; but being de- 

 sirous of having the opinion of several of the mathematici- 

 ans on the continent of Europe, as to the correctness of the 

 principle, I was induced to write the circular in the Frepch 

 language. If it appear to you to merit notice, some account 

 of it in your Journal will much oblige, 



Sir, 

 Your obedient servant, 



JOHN WOOD. 



SIR, 



1 have just published in this city a work entitled, " A New theory of 



new Theory of the Diurnal Rotation of the Earth, demon- 1 }™ XQ M m ° ; 



J * V.ou oi the 



strated upon mathematical Principles, from the Properties Earth, 

 of the Cycloid and Epicycloid : with an Application of this 

 Theory to the Explanation of the various Phenomena of 

 the Winds, Tides, and those stony and metallic Concretions, 

 which have fallen from Heaven upon the Surface of the 

 Earth." 



This theory I have made a point of communicating to all Proposed to 

 those whom I consider eminently distinguished for their ^tn 'enJral. 

 knowledge of the mathematics. It is for them to be mv 

 judges, and to decide on the solidity of the principle, which 

 forms the basis of my work. In short, 1 wish to know their 

 opinions for or against me. Allow me therefore, j.jr, to im- 

 part to you as concisely as possible the circumstance, which 

 gave rise to rny theory* and to the fundamental principles it 

 in dudes. 



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