THE ASTRONOMICAL WRITINGS OF SCOT 97 



Toledo, the science of astronomy was already a 

 beaten path. His progress in mathematical studies 

 naturally led him to this, the highest sphere in 

 which thev could be exercised. At the court of 

 Frederick he had made many an observation and 

 cast many a horoscope. In the Liber Introductorius 

 nd Liber Particulars he had produced two 

 anuals expounding in a popular way the twin 

 sciences of astrology and astronomy ; publications 

 hich no doubt reproduced pretty exactly the 

 liing he had given to the Emperor. 

 In Spain he not only kept up his interest in 

 his subject but lost no opportunity of improving 

 is past acquirements. He was constantly on the 

 atch for new astronomical works. He read them, 

 ot only as a student eager to extend his know- 

 ge, but as a translator anxious to find the oppor- 

 .unity of adding to the resources of other scholars 

 y the production of some important book in a 

 tin dress. 



As a resident in Toledo, Scot found himself 

 iry favourably situated for such studies. That 

 ty was now indeed to become what may be called 

 classic ground of Moorish astronomy. A 

 panish author would have us believe that there 

 tly assembled there an incredible number of 

 tronomers drawn, not only from all parts of Spain, 

 t from France as well, and especially from Paris, 

 he king himself is said to have presided over this 

 egress. The works of Ptolemy, with the com- 

 .entaries of Montafan and Algazel, were trans- 

 ted into Latin for the use of those scholars who 

 d not understand Arabic. Discussions were held 

 the Alcazar of Galiana upon the various theories 



G 



