££4 On the Science of Astronomy 



The Jemsli year, from the earliest time, is what may 

 be termed luni solar : that is, the months being lunar, 

 their calculations were all made in reference to the lunar 

 cycle — the cycle containing 235 lunations, which were 

 divided into twelve years of twelve months, and seven 

 (termed embolismic) years of thirteen months j every nine- 

 teenth year, therefore, they came to the same date in the solar 

 or common year. That their months for the earliest time 

 have been lunar is likewise shown in the 1st Book of Kings, 

 chap, vi., verse 38, where the words are: Oovausliono oaucTioss 

 esri Vyoriaucli Bui Jioo miclwtidesk limishnenee : " and in 

 the eleventh year in the month of Bui, which is the eighth 

 month." In the Hebrew text the two words thus trans- 

 lated '^ month" vary, the first being derived from yonav.ch, 

 moon, and the last from choudesh, new, or innovation. 



The celebrated mathematician Meton of Athens, who 

 flourished 432 years before the Christian Era (in the reign 

 of the king Zedekiah) , made a similar division of time ; but 

 the first mention of the calendar is by the learned philosopher 

 E-ab Judah, surnamed the Prince, in the Mishna written 

 by him about 140 years before the present era, and in which 

 he speaks of embolismic years. 



It is recorded of Bab Samuel, an astronomer of Babylon 

 about the same period, who was well acquainted with the 

 science as known in his day, that the paths of the Heavens 

 were as familiar to him as the streets of Nahardea, where he 

 resided ; he calculated the solar year to consist of 365 days 

 and 6 hours, — ^the same as the Julian, which is incorrect. 

 Pope Gregory in 1582 altered it by deducting from October 

 10 days, making that month in the same year to consist of 

 21 days only ; and in order to prevent the occurrence of 

 discrepancies in futm*e, he then ordered every fom'th, instead 

 of every centenary, year to be Bissextile. 



