DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1083#0191
TOMPEIANA. 271
Page 226.
This imitation of a Ham was of bronze, silvered, and
contrived as a portable sun-dial; the tail forming the
gnomon. It is published in the 4th volume of the
AnticMia d'Ercotano, where it is very fully explained.
Upon the back of the ham are described seven ver-
tical lines, under which are abbreviated the names of the
twelve months, beginning with January, retrograding to
June, and again returning to December.
IVN • MA •■ AP ■ MA ■ FE • IA
IV • AV • SE • OC - NO • DE
Seven other lines traverse the above, and, by their
intersections with them, show the extension of the shadow
thrown by the gnomon on the sun's entering each sign of
the Zodiac; and, consequently, at every point in his path
through the ecliptic. They likewise point out the hours
of the day; the shadow descending with the rising, and
again ascending with the declining sun.
The Academy observe, that in suspending, to make
use of this instrument, the side should be presented to
the sun; and when the extremity of the shadow of the
gnomon reaches the vertical line marked with the name
of the actual month, the horizontal intersection will show
the hour. It is added, that it had been observed to act
nearly correctly through the whole day: but it is not
Page 226.
This imitation of a Ham was of bronze, silvered, and
contrived as a portable sun-dial; the tail forming the
gnomon. It is published in the 4th volume of the
AnticMia d'Ercotano, where it is very fully explained.
Upon the back of the ham are described seven ver-
tical lines, under which are abbreviated the names of the
twelve months, beginning with January, retrograding to
June, and again returning to December.
IVN • MA •■ AP ■ MA ■ FE • IA
IV • AV • SE • OC - NO • DE
Seven other lines traverse the above, and, by their
intersections with them, show the extension of the shadow
thrown by the gnomon on the sun's entering each sign of
the Zodiac; and, consequently, at every point in his path
through the ecliptic. They likewise point out the hours
of the day; the shadow descending with the rising, and
again ascending with the declining sun.
The Academy observe, that in suspending, to make
use of this instrument, the side should be presented to
the sun; and when the extremity of the shadow of the
gnomon reaches the vertical line marked with the name
of the actual month, the horizontal intersection will show
the hour. It is added, that it had been observed to act
nearly correctly through the whole day: but it is not