185 
alluded to, except « Draconis. About 1326 B.C. this 
star was within four degrees of the pole, which was 
sufficiently near to make it appear immoveable to such 
observers. But from the discordant positions of the stars 
assigned by Eudoxus, it is inferred that little dependance 
can be placed on him ; and if Eudoxus copied any very 
ancient sphere, it must have been one of Oriental origin." 
Hist, of Astron. p. 20. 
In the same manner Pythagoras, who we have seen 
travelled in Egypt and the East, likewise resembles the 
Hindoos in his metaphysical doctrines. It is remarkable also, 
that he should be thought to have discovered the celebrated 
properties of the right-angled triangle, as these have long 
been known to the Hindoos, and which it is proper to add, 
they " demonstrate in a very singular way, which partakes 
more of the nature of algebraic reasoning than of pure 
geometry. 11 The properties of numbers, always a favourite 
speculation with the Brahmans, was also entered into by 
Pythagoras ; and as he likewise treated of music, so we 
find it one of the subjects included in the ancient Vedas. 
In like manner, the revolution of the earth upon its 
axis, promulgated by Pythagoras, wa*s also entertained 
by Aryabhatta, one of the ancient Hindoo astronomers. 
The Pythagorean doctrines respecting comets being as 
ancient as the universe ; revolving round the sun ; and 
visible only in a certain part of their orbit ; is exactly simi- 
lar, as related by Seneca, to that entertained by the Chal- 
deans, according to Apollonius Myndius, who professed to 
have studied under them. (Hist. Astr. p. 14). 
Thales is the last of the philosophers necessary to 
mention, as the earliest (B.C. 600) reported to have travelled 
in the East ; also because he is considered the founder 
of astronomy among the Greeks. Many of his doctrines, 
however, like those of some of his successors, resemble 
