Mr. J. Cockle's Analysis of the Theory of Equations. 351 



mannei* ; and that the different velocities of the meteorolites, 

 varying from four to forty miles per second according to the 

 direction of their motions with respect to the earth, along with 

 their various sizes, will suffice to show why some of these 

 bodies are destroyed the instant they arrive in our atmosphere, 

 and why others, with diminished velocity, arrive at the earth's 

 surface. 



I cannot but be filled with admiration and gratitude for the 

 wonderful provision thus made by the Author of nature for 

 the protection of his creatures. Were it not for the atmo- 

 sphere which covers us with a shield, impenetrable in propor- 

 tion to the violence which it is called upon to resist, we should 

 be continually exposed to a bombardment of the most fatal 

 and irresistible character. To say nothing of the larger stones, 

 no ordinary buildings could afford shelter from very small 

 particles striking at the velocity of eighteen miles per second. 

 Even dust flying at such a velocity would kill any animal ex- 

 posed to it. 



XLIX. Analysts of the Theory of Equations, with a few He- 

 marks on recent English Worhs on the subject. By James 

 Cockle, Esq., M.A., Barrister -at- Law. In a Letter to 

 T. S. Davies, Esq., F.R.S., S)-c. .• with Notes on some of the 

 Topics, by Mr. Davies*. 



7b the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 



Gentlemen, 



THE inclosed letter appears to me to contain a very per- 

 spicuous statement of the character, present state, and 

 ulterior modes of proceeding of the algebraic theory of equa- 

 tions; and I think it contains many important suggestions for 

 those analysts who may hereafter give their attention to the 

 subject. I have ventured to add a few notes, chiefly relative 

 to numerical equations, — a subject to which particular but 

 well-known circumstances have causetl me to give much atten- 

 tion. These notes, I hope, will not be without their use. 



I am, &c.. 

 Royal Military Academy, T. S. Davies. 



March 9, 1848. 



2 Church yiird Court, Temple, 

 My dear Sir, Fchnuuy 19, 1848. 



N our conversation of yesterday, I mentioned to you an 

 idea that has for some little time occupied my thoughts, 



• Communicated by Mr. Diivics. For distinction, Mr. Davicb's notes are 

 printed in smaller type. 



I 



