The Chinese Journal for the History of Science and technology  NO.1 2003

Beijing Time at the Beginning of PRC……GUO Qing-sheng

【Abstract】 Towards the end of 1940's,Beijing Time appeared in China and soon replaced the former standard time system which was then divided into 5 time zones. It was an important event about time measuring in the whole country. In this article the author infers that Beijing Time appeared for the first time undoubtedly between Sept. 27 and Oct. 6 in 1949, very probably on the first day of the aforementioned time. On the basis of two independent proofs, Beijing Time in the early days of PRC's establishment was an apparent solar time. Finally, a few doubtful points are listed here for further discussion.

On the Haongho-Paiho Museum in Tientsin……FANG Jian-Chang

【Abstract】 The Haongho-Paiho Museum in Tientsin has an important position in history of science and technology of modern China. It was founded by French Jesuits in 1924 and attached to Hautes Etudes In-dustrielles et Commerciales in Tientsin. For many years,Jesuits E.Licent and P.Teilhard de chardin investigated and collected specimens in North China and a part of them were stored up in this museum. From the beginning to the end, it had been getting financial and personal support from the Society of Jesuits. It had collected various specimens as following: 35000 species of plant, more than 7000 anthropological species, more than 2000 species of animal, more than 1000 species of minerals and supplied a lot of documents about anthropology, zoology, botany, antique-biology, rockology, mineralogy and special industries in North China. Therefore, it had been regarded as the No. 1 among museums in East Asia.

The Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences Took over the Literature of South Manchurian Railway Company……HAN Jian-ping，lI Li

【Abstract】 Archives and Library of South Manchurian Railway Company (ALSMR Co. ) had collected a vast amount of documents about the investigation on Manchurian economy, society and resources. As an important consultative Library of SMR Co. , the Dalian Library of SMR Co. ( DLSMR Co. ) was famous for its collection of Manchurian literature. In 1957, the Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences(LCAS) took over the literature which was left behind by ALSMR Co. and distributed duplicates of it to over ninety libraries in all parts of China. At the same time, LCAS actively negotiated with the department concerned on the collection of DLSMR Co. , but was obstructed by Luda city. The literature was thus left to the locality and became the important collection of today's Dalian Library.

Two Cooperations Between Fan Memorial Institute of Biology and National Forestry Research Bureau of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry……HU Zong-gang

【Abstract】 Fan Memorial Institute of Biology and National Forestry Research Bureau of Ministry of A-griculture and Forestry cooperated in the end of 1940s in order to compile and publish 'The Silva of China' and investigate the plant resources in south of Yunnan and north of Jiangxi. The cooperation was on a grand scale, because of the influence of social economy and political upheaval, it remained unfinished. This paper outlines two cooperations.

Twenty Years of the Institute of Botany of National Academy of Peiping……JIANG Yu-ping

【Abstract】 The Institute of Botany of National Academy of Peiping was a famous botanical institute during the period of the Republic of China. Extensive prewar activity of collecting plant specimens from north and northwest China was going on by the Institute. Based on the specimens collected by it,the Institute focused on field taxonomy,botanical geography,fungus and flora of north China. In November 1936, under the joint sponsorship of the Institute and the National Northwestern Agricultural College,the Botanical Survey of Northwest China was planned and organized at Wugong in Shaanxi Province, with the aim to do research work on the plants of northwest China and their economic value. Before the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Institute was able to get away from Peiping with both its personnel and equipments and resume its activities in the far interior province of Shaanxi. In 1944, a part of the personnel came to Kunming. During the War, the Institute laid stress not only on pure botany, but also on applied botany. Making use of historical archives and relevant documents, this paper attempts to narrate its origin of the foundation and evolution, general situation of work in different periods, research achievements , and analyze the contribution of the Institute in the biological history of modern China.

A New Popular Encyclopedia Published in 1911 and Its Scientific Value……Li Di, Guo Shi-rong

【Abstract】 The Chinese work Putong Baike Xin Dacidian ( A New Popular Encyclopedia ) was edited by Huang Moxi at the request of Shen Cuifeng, the owner of a research institute Guoxue Fulun She, and was published by China Encyclopedia Publication Corporation in Shanghai in 1911. It is a reference book with some characters of a modern encyclopedia. This paper deals with the encyclopedia in several aspects. Firstly, the contents, structure, compilation thoughts, stylistic rules and layout, and so on, of the work is introduced generally. Secondly, the scientific value of the work is studied. Plentiful entries, up-to-date contents, bilingual terms (if necessary) are the characteristics of the Encyclopedia. It also reflects Chinese understanding about all disciplines of the early 20th century. Thirdly, four sources of entries in the Encyclopedia are analyzed. Finally, a brief evaluation of the work is made.

Textual Research on the Position and Construction of Qing Dynasty Astronomical Bureau……SHI Yu-min

【Abstract】 The former postion of Qing Dynasty Astronomical Bureau was recorded in some local chronicles about Beijing. But the bureau was moved to anther place after 1900. Based on historical material recorded in Beijing Zhi,this paper succeeds in fixing its later position. In addition, the paper clarifies the construction of the bureau according to Qing Dynasty archives of the Board of Works.

Textual Research About the Constellations "Fu Yue" and "Fu Zhi……WANG Yu-min

【Abstract】 The two constellations "Fu Yue" and "Fu Zhi" in ancient China were still called "Tie (iron)" and "Tie(iron)Zhi" in some annals. This paper inquires carefully into the origin of these two constellations. The other names "Tie( iron) Yue" and " Tie (iron) Zhi", which were slips of the pen and became increasingly distorted later on during the Ming and Qing dynasties, had not been of common use.

Research on "Feng……ZHOU Xin

【Abstract】 What is "feng" among China's traditional farming tools? For a long time the academic circles have different versions about " feng" , and have failed to give a satisfatory answer to the question. This article firstly introduces the views of some experts and scholars, and then makes a systematic study of "feng"according to historical documents and archaeological finds. It analyses respectvely Qi Min Yao Shu (Important Arts for the People' s Welfare) and Wang Zhen Nong Shu (Agricultural Treatise) ,does textual research on feng along with some other materials and forms a more comprehensive understanding of the tool. The paper believes that the farming tool called "feng" did exist in history. "Feng"should be a manual farming tool for intertilling; it should be something like a pick or a shovel. The "feng" recorded in Wang Zhen Nong Shu may be a kind of ancient "feng" . The sharp-pointed hoe, which was still being used recently in Dali area, Yunnan, is probably another kind of "feng" .

An Investigation on the Crossbow-Making Method of Yao Nationality in Bama County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region……YI De-gang，ZHANG Bai-chun

【Abstract】 Located in Bama County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Wenqian Village has been known as "a crossbow village" of the Yao nationality. The crossbow-making tradition comes down to us from the past. The crossbows of Yao nationality are wooden ones of rather simple form. The ancient Yao nationality made use of them as important hunting instruments. Two crossbow-makers showed us a few crossbows that were made by themselves or their elders. They explained and demonstrated the materials, manufacturing skills and tools, adjusting method, usage and related mechanical knowledge. Crossbow-shooting became one of the games of China' s minority nationalities. The Games Bureau of Bama County improved the traditional crossbow a little to take part in the shooting contest.

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