XIV. On cm Ancient Observation of a TVinter Solstice. 

 By R. W. ROTHMAN, Esq. MA. 



FELLOW OP TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. 



[Read Nov. 30, 1829.] 



Strabo ill the second book of his Geography has recorded 

 an observation of the Winter Solstice made at Alexandria, which, 

 as far as I know, has never hitherto been noticed. This may 

 be attributed to an extraordinary mistake, by which Strabo has 

 given this as an observation of the equinox. The commentators 

 on this author have perceived that there was a mistake, without 

 seeing- the nature of it: and (vide Commentary of the Variornm 

 Edition, Leipsic, 1818. Vol. VII. p. 573.) M. Gosselin has pro- 

 posed to make an alteration in the nundjers. But I think 

 I shall be able to shew to the satisfaction of the Society that 

 the error lies in the ob.servation being given as belonging- to the 

 equinox, while in reality it belongs to the winter solstice. 

 I .shall just remark in passing that M. Delambre in his Astron. 

 Ancienne, Vol. I. p. 257, has quoted the passage in question from 

 Strabo without any remark. 



The words of Strabo are as follows, eV Se rf] 'AXe^avSpela 

 6 yvwfxwv Xoyov e;^ej Trpos ttiv l<TniiepLvt]v aKiav, bv 6;^et ra vevTe 

 Trpoi eirrd, (Vide Strabo, Lib. II. Ed Varior. Leipsic, 1796. 



