Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 3, Mathematics and the Sciences of the Heavens and the EarthCambridge University Press, 1959 - 926 pages After two volumes mainly introductory, Dr Needham now embarks upon his systematic study of the development of the natural sciences in China. The Sciences of the Earth follow: geography and cartography, geology, seismology and mineralogy. Dr Needham distinguishes parallel traditions of scientific cartography and religious cosmography in East and West, discussing orbocentric wheel-maps, the origins of the rectangular grid system, sailing charts and relief maps, Chinese survey methods, and the impact of Renaissance cartography on the East. Finally-and here Dr Needham's work has no Western predecessors-there are full accounts of the Chinese contribution to geology and mineralogy. |
Contents
List of Tables | xvii |
MATHEMATICS | 1 |
BEL É JIB | 5 |
j Influences and transmissions p | 146 |
ASTRONOMY | 171 |
d Ancient and medieval cosmological ideas p | 210 |
e The polar and equatorial character of Chinese astronomy | 229 |
f The naming cataloguing and mapping of stars p | 263 |
i Sea tides p | 491 |
GEOGRAPHY AND CARTOGRAPHY | 497 |
3 Descriptions of southern regions and foreign | 510 |
5 Local topographies p | 517 |
c A note on Chinese explorers p | 522 |
Lete | 569 |
GEOLOGY and Related Sciences | 591 |
istr | 622 |
g The development of astronomical instruments p | 284 |
h Calendrical and planetary astronomy p | 390 |
i Records of celestial phenomena p | 409 |
j The time of the Jesuits p | 437 |
k Summary p | 458 |
c Temperature p | 465 |
e Rainbows parhelia and spectres p | 473 |
g Thunder and lightning p | 480 |
geog | 636 |
d Mineralogical literature and its scope p | 643 |
f Notes on some special minerals p | 652 |
ADDENDA page | 681 |
| 803 | |
Table of Chinese Dynasties | 871 |
Romanisation Conversion Table | 878 |
Common terms and phrases
3rd century 4th century ancient Arabic armillary sphere astronomical auct Babylonian Biot calendar cartography celestial Chang Hêng Chêng Chhi Chhien Chhiu Chhu Chhüan Chia Chih Chin Shu China Chinese astronomy Chinese mathematics Chiu Chang Chou Pei Chuan circle clepsydra constellations diagram dynasty earth ecliptic equator equatorial Fang Gaubil geographical gnomon Greek Han dynasty heavens Hou Han Shu Hsiang Hsiao Hsien Hsin hsiu Hsü Hsüan Huang instrument Jesuits Khao Kung later Liang Maspero mathematicians medieval mentioned method Mikami Ming modern moon Nien observations Observatory Peking Peking Observatory Pên Tshao period records reference Sarton says Sect Shan Shang Shen Kua Shih Shuo sighting-tube solstice stars Suan Ching Sun Tzu Sung Taoist Thien Thung tien translated TSCC Tung Wang Wên Yang Hui Yuan