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Taylor - Theoretic Arithmetic.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

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est boundary of the duration in the womb of those children<br />

that are born in the tenth month is 288 days and 8 hours. The<br />

mean duration is 273 days and 8 hours. And the shortest duration<br />

is 258 days and 8 hours. But of those that are born in the<br />

seventh month, the longest duration in the womb is 206 days<br />

and 8 hours; the least duration is 176 days and 8 hours; and<br />

the mean duration is 191 days and 8 hours. The ancient physicians<br />

likewise, as we learn from the anonymous writer, observe,<br />

that seven hours prior to the birth the navel of the foetus is<br />

spontaneously separated from the mother; within which space<br />

of time the foetus is able to support life, without receiving any<br />

nutriment from the mother."<br />

Again, Plato, says Theo Smyrnaeus, following nature constitutes<br />

the soul from seven numbers. These numbers are 1, 2,<br />

3,4, 8,9, 27, concerning the remarkable properties of which, T<br />

refer the reader to Plutarch's treatise On the Generation of the<br />

Soul according to Plato in the Timaeus.<br />

Farther still, conformably to what I have shown in the preceding<br />

numbers, if 7 multiplies a triangular gnomon, and unity<br />

is added to the product, the sum will be an enneagonal gnomon.<br />

For,<br />

7x1 and +1= 8 the 2nd<br />

7X 2 and +1=15 the 3rd enneagonal gnomon.<br />

7X 3 and +1=22 the 4th<br />

7x4 and +1=29<br />

the 5th<br />

&c . i<br />

By a similar process likewise with octagons, with squares, with<br />

pentagonal column. triang. pyramids, with square gnomons,<br />

and with the gnomons of octangles, enneagonal gnomons will<br />

be produced. Thus,<br />

+ Vid. Notas Bulliald. in Theon. Mathemat. p. 284.

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