Section III., 1905 [ 33 ] Trans. R. S. C. 



V. — Solar and Lunar Cycles Implied in the Prophetic Numbers in 



the Booh of Daniel. 



By W. Bell Dawsont, M.A., D.Sc, F.E.S.C. 

 Assoc. M. Inst. CE., M. Can. Soc. CE. 



(Read May 24, 190.5.) 



The natural measures of time are the clay, the month, and the 

 year; but when the lengths of the month and year, measured by the 

 number of days, came to be known with approximate accuracy, it was 

 found that they were not even multiples; and, consequently, that they 

 could not be expressed in terms of each other without involving frac- 

 tional values. It has been one of the highest aims of human intelli- 

 gence from the earliest times, to reconcile these periods with each other. 

 To obtain a workable calendar, it is necessary to find some period or 

 cycle which will serve as a common multiple of these natural units of 

 measurement. 



From this standpoint, we may define a cycle to be a numerical 

 relation in whole numbers which represents any two of these periods 

 in terms of each other; or the ratio between any two as a vulgar frac- 

 tion in which both numerator and denominator are whole numbers, and 

 not unreasonably large. Cycles as thus defined are essential as a basis 

 for any rational type of calendar; and three types are possible, according 

 as the governing measure adopted in the ordinary solar year of the 

 seasons, the lunar year based on the lunar month, or a combination 

 ^of these two. For the purposes of a calendar, a small percentage of 

 error in the cycle has been deemed admissible; as absolute accuracy is 

 considered unattainable. 



Our present object is to show that lunar and solar cycles of the 

 highest accuracy .may be deduced from the prophetic numbers in the 

 Book of Daniel. These cycles have only been arrived at, by following 

 the indications in the Scriptures themselves, regarding the scope and 

 meaning of the prophetic periods from which they are derived. It is 

 accordingly from this standpoint only, that explanations of a reasonable 

 character can be offered. It may, . therefore, be deemed permissible to 

 touch as briefly as possible upon this side of the question. Otherwise, 

 the results themselves* must stand as naked and isolated truths, unrelated 

 in any reasonable way to their parent source. 



The two prophetic nmnbers vre have to deal with are 2300 and 1260 

 days. The latter of these is styled in the Book of Daniel, " time, 



Sec. IIL, iîin5. .3 



