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many important points in astronomy, so we have it incor- 
porated in their works on this science, and acknowledged 
even by those adverse to the Hindoo claims, that in many 
points it is original, and in all highly curious. The circle, we 
have seen, was divided, for trigonometrical purposes, into 
360 degrees, and each of these into sixty minutes ; so the 
Hindoos divided time in a similar manner, that is, the 
year into six seasons, each of these consisting of 60 dinas 
(1 dina = 1 day and night) ; each dina = 60 dandas 
(1 danda = 24 minutes English) ; each danda = 60 palas 
(1 pala = 24 seconds) ; each pala = 60 vipalas (1 vipala 
= 0. 4 seconds) ; and so on for five more subdivisions for 
astronomical purposes. But the danda is also considered 
equal to sixty vicalas, each of which is equal to six respi- 
rations. From this coincidence in the division of the circle 
and of time, it has been supposed that the circle was 
divided into 360°, in consequence of the most ancient 
Hindoos supposing it to be the number of days in the 
year: this would even appear to be confirmed by their 
division of the year into six seasons of sixty dinas each = 
360 days. But the number seems rather to have been 
adopted from the convenience of the sexagesimal division 
in calculations, as we learn that their tables " are 
founded on the supposition that the tropical year is 
365 d 5 h 30' 40", a determination which differs only 1' 33" 
from that which is employed in the new solar tables of 
Delambre. (Brewster.) 
Hindoo astronomy has been said to be confined to the 
calculation of certain changes in the heavens, particularly 
eclipses of the sun and moon, the places of the planets, 
with the rules and tables by which these calculations must 
be performed. They early distinguished the zodiac from 
the rest of the celestial sphere, and divided it into twenty- 
seven (Jones,) or twenty-eight (Colebrooke,) portions, 
