The Chinese Journal for the History of Science and technology  NO.3 2001

Memories of the Initial Stage of Geology in China……W H WONG

【Abstract】 Dr. W H Wong is the founder of China's modern geology.In his remaining years,he called to mind some works of the initial stage of geological undertaking in China,involving the teaching at the Institute of Geology,Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce,the translation of geological terms into Chinese by him together with V. K. Ting and H. T. Chang,their printing and distribution of geological reports,and their thinking and practice of developing research on paleontology and corelated books and equipment.

The Collation of Suanshushu(A Book of Arithmetic)……GUO Shu chun

【Abstract】 The explanatory text of Suanshushu was published in Cultural Relics,No.9,2000.Unearthed from a grave of the Han Dynasty in Zhangjia shan, Hubei Province in the 1980′s,Suanshushuis a work of the pre Qin period and also the earliest one on traditional Chinese mathematics we have known so far. It is rich and profound in content,and research on it will further reveal the mysterious veil of mathematics of the pre Qin days. The author collates the explanatory text, and writes out about 150 collated notes. The collation covers:(1) A few mistaken bamboo strips;(2) A lot of misprinting, miscopying of missing of words, especially the mistakes in the calculation of numbers;(3) The characters which are mutually explanatory or having the same pronunciation should not be changed but a few changes were made in the explanatory text;(4) A number of original bamboo strips which were not distinguished in the explanatory text;(5) The faults of dealing with individual subtitles in the explanatory text. The author thinks that the ways for the expression of fractions in Suanshushu are not the same, which is an intrinsic phenomenon. It was only when zhang Cang in the Han Dynasty and other people sorted out Nine Chapters on Mathematical Procedures that such ways were standardized. Therefore, it is not appropriate for us to take the model of the latter to modify the former.

Study Science for His Motherland --A Brief Biography of the Chemist K. Han in Taiwan during Japanese Occupation……LIU Kwang Ting

【Abstract】 K. Han(1907-1974) is a famous chemist and also the first Taiwanese scholar to be elected as a member of Academia Sinica.During the 1930s,Prof.Han studied Raman effect of organic compounds with Prof.Kichimatsu Masuno at Taihoku Imperial University.He published seven papers in collaboration with Prof.Matsuno and one by himself alone.Their work contributed considerably to the study of Raman effect in the early stage.Owing to his expertise in Chinese classics and his love to the motherland,he wrote many poems to show his lofty ideals.

N·Wiener in Tsinghua University and the Earliest Research on Computer in China……WEI Hong sen

【Abstract】 In the 1930's,the Tsinghua University invited Prof ·N Wiener of USA's MIT to come to China as a visiting professor.The relevant letters and manuscripts of this period show that when he was at the Tsinghua University,he initiated China's research on the analogue computer in cooperation with Li Yurong and others.

The Globe Magazine and the Spread of Knowledge of X-ray……WANG Min, DENG Shao gen

【Abstract】 In November 1895,W.K.Rntgen,A German physicist,discovered the X ray,Which rapidly spread all over the world. In China,it was The Globe Magazine that reported this news.It not only record the first Chinese who had been diagnosed by X ray,but also narrated X ray's harm to human health.

The Establishment of Yunnan Institute of Agriculture and Forestry……HU Zong gang

【Abstract】 After extensive collection of specimens in Yunnan in 1938,in order to study the plants of Yunnan more effectively,Hsien Hsu Hu as director of the Fan Memorial Institute of Biology and Gong Zizhi as director of the Education Department of Yunnan province decided to establish an institute in Kunming engaged in scientific research application on agriculture and forestry,named Yunnan Institute of Agriculture and Forestry.Cai Xitao who had collected specimens in Yunnan was sent to Kunming to make preparations for its establishment.Hsien Hsu Hu was the director of the institute,and Zheng Wanjun was its deputy director.After Hu went to Jiangxi to be the president of Zhongzheng University,Zheng Wanjun became the deputy director in charge of routine matters.Based on historical archives,this paper recounts the establishment,early undertakings and achievements of the institutes.

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Exploration and Annotation on Dr.Ta Li's Biographical Materials……XU Kang, Su Heng yan

【Abstract】 Dr.Ta Li(1905-1998)is one of the three earliest Chinese representatives attending the International Congress for Mathematicians (the 9th Congress held in Zurich,Switzerland,1932).He returned home on obtaining a doctor's degree in mathematics,and had been teaching for more than 10 years in Chinese universities and colleges.In 1947,he went to the United States for advanced studies,and afterwards stayed there making numerous contributions to mathematics,aviation and space flight.

The Corrections for Atmospheric Refraction in Chongzhen Lishu and Lixiang Kaocheng Houbian……FU Bang hong, SHI Yun li

【Abstract】 The corrections for atmospheric refraction were first introduced in Chongzhen Lishu(Computus of the Chongzhen Reign).The correction table is Tycho's version and was kept in use for over one century.But it is the first time that the quantitative influence of atmospheric refraction in astronomical observation was considered by Chinese astronomers.The Lixiang Kaocheng Houbian(Sequel to the Compendium of Calendrical Science)further introduced a new theory of atmospheric refraction devised by G.D.Cassini and put forth a new correction table based on the theory.Generally speaking,the new table is much more accurate than Tycho's,and thus marks a big stride of Chinese astronomy in dealing with this problem.

A Study on the Standard Time Changes for the Past 100 Years in China……GUO Qing sheng

【Abstract】 In the 20th century, China has been going through three dynasties -- the end of Qing, the Republic of China, and the People's Republic of China. Also the standard times in China pass successively from apparent time to mean time, from local time to standard time, from Coast Time to five zone times and right up to Beijing Time today. In this paper, the author analyses a lot of materials, gives a clear picture of changes about these standard times, and studies the economic and sociali backgrounds of the changes.

The Timing System of Lunar Mansions in Japanese Calendars……ZHANG Pei yu, ZHANG Jian

【Abstract】 The twenty eight lunar mansions are twenty eight constellations divided along the ecliptic and equator in the celestial sphere in ancient astronomy for explaining the movements of the Sun,the Moon and the five visible Planets.They may be used as the timing in the calendar science.The establishment of the twenty eight lunar mansions has brought about a great advance in astronomy and calendar science.There is a relation of long historical origins in calendar science between China and Japan.This paper gives a brief description of the origin and method on the timing system of the twenty eight lunar mansions in Japanese calendars.Furthermore,We illustrate with many examples.