NOMENCLATURE IN TIME-RECKONING. 21 



geographical extent, canuot be recognized as wholly satisfactory when considered, in rela- 

 tion to both hemispheres. Take, for example, the hour meridian which finds its place at 

 75° west longitude ; it has tentatively received the name " Eastern," from the fact that 

 this meridian passes near the eastern coast of the United States. It will be obvious, 

 however, that south of the equator this term is inadmissible, inasmuch as the same 

 meridian follows approximately the western coast of South America Again, the meri- 

 dian 105' west has been termed the "Mountain" meridian, for the reason that it tra- 

 verses the Rocky Mountains where they occur in the United States ; but the same 

 meridian, followed north, passes through the heart of the great prairie region of Canada, 

 unmarked by the presence of mountains, and followed south beyond the American coast 

 this hour meridian meets no land whatever ; it passes over only the Pacific Ocean to the 

 antartic circle. 



In Europe the name "Adria" has been attached to the hour meridian of 15" east 

 longitude, presumably owing to the fact that it intersects the Adriatic Sea. This designa- 

 tion may be held to be acceptable in Europe, but it must be considered as less appropriate 

 in the southern hemisphere. 



There is a restricted meaning to nearly all local and geographical terms, and it is 

 submitted by the writer, with all respect for the opinion of others, that a nomenclature 

 based on such terms is unattainable, if the object be to obviate confusion and give 

 satisfaction in future years in all quarters of the globe. It may be added, moreover, 

 that the difficulty is greatly increased by reason of the diversity of language among the 

 nations. 



The same objections do not apply to numbers. A nomenclature based on nitmbers 

 would be common to all nations ; it would have the one meaning in all languages, and 

 wotild be equally appropriate in all latitudes. 



The twenty-four hour meridians take their origin from the recognized zero of time, 

 which is diurnally determined by the solar passage on the anti-prime meridian ; it is 

 therefore natural that if they are to be known by numbers, the series of numbers should 

 begin at the anti-prime meridian as zero. The point of commencement being settled, 

 there remains to be considered the direction the series of numbers should take — that is to 

 say, whether the hour meridian should be counted [east or west from the anti-prime 

 meridian. 



If we commence to observe the passage of time at the instant of zero, in the lapse of 

 an hour the earth will have revolved on its axis fifteen degrees and brought the first 

 hour meridian west of th« anti-prime meridian under the sitn. "What more appropriate 

 designation for this hour meridian than ninnber one (unus) ? At the end of the second 

 hour the earth will have revolved another fifteen degrees and broijght under the sun the 

 second hour meridian west of zero ; with equal propriety this may be termed hour meri- 

 dian number ttoo (duo). Similarly, the third, fourth and every one of the twenty-four 

 hour meridians may be numbered in consecutive order. 



This simple and natural mode of distinguishing the hour meridians will be found to 

 have advantages peculiar to itself. Referring to the accompanying projection of the 

 northern hemisphere, the figures around the circumference indicate the hour meridians 

 numbered on this principle. These figures likewise indicate the twenty-four hours into 



