880 TRANS. OF THE ACAD. OF SCIENCE. 
rable darkness and errs ee contradictions, and to illus 
trate those of other nations. As in former times no astronom- 
observations aoe ~ the time of Ptolemy (130 A.C.) 
van known, and as those of the Egyptians refer to quite older 
times and even to that of Menes (2780 B.C.), it is obvious 
that such numerous and ancient observations must serve to 
rectify our ilenssabe Tables, based upon Ptolemy, and the 
present theory of our solar system in general. — 
astronomical inscriptions, as we have seen, are so intl 
plain, that every one, being acquainted with the elements of 
astronomy, is enabled to understand and explain them. 
2. The Leeds coffin proves again that astronomy is as old 
as human society, as Josephus, Aristotle, Cicero, Diodorus, 
Egyptian papyri, and other authors, testify. Formerly, it 
was believed and taught that no Zodiac existed before vibe 
ear 500 ; but here we see that the Egyptians, in 172 
Cs were already familiar with the smallest segments of t 
Zodiac; that they alread; understood the art’ of determinin 
_ ginnit eee the second age of the Sworld in 87 
at the commencement of its firs Laos thee 
it that |  anci ancient mene : : 
