8 



JOURNAL, R. A. S. (CEYLON). [ Vol. VII, Pt. I. 



This doctrine is in perfect accordance with the European. 



It has been^shewn that in many respects there is a perfect 

 accordance between the Hindu and European astronomy. 

 There are discrepancies in the theory and principles as regards 

 some points, as inculcated in the Hindu science, but in 

 almost all cases the result of the calculations as regards the 

 several phenomena is the same as that of European astronomy, 

 such as the lunar and solar eclipses, the position of planets, 

 the retrogradation in planetary motions, &c. 



It is not known what instruments were used by the ancient 

 Hindus, but it is an undoubted fact that they had the use of 

 some sort of instruments, without which it would not be 

 possible to make the several calculations. 



The 11th chapter of Siddhdnta Siromani speaks of the use of 

 certain instruments, such as armillary sphere, nodi valaya, 

 yashti, chanka, gkati, circle, semi-circle, quadrant, swayam vdha 

 yantra, syphon, &c. 



To once more quote Mr. Hoisington : 



"The Egyptians, Chaldeans, ^Indians, and Chinese early 

 possessed many astronomical facts, many observations of im- 

 portant phenomena, and many rules and methods of astrono- 

 mical calculations; and it has been supposed that they had the 

 ruins of a great system of astronomical science, which in the 

 earliest ages of the world had been carried to a great degree 

 of perfection, and that while the principles and explanations 

 of the phenomena were lost, and isolated, unconnected facts, 

 rules of calculation, and phenomena themselves remained." 



