heavens into 28 stellar spaces. The correspondence of this division to
the Hindu system of the 28 Lunar Mansions, called _Nakshatras_, has
given rise to much discussion. The Chinese _sieu_ or stellar spaces
are excessively unequal, varying from 24 deg. in equatorial extent down to
24'. (_Williams_, op. cit.) [See _P. Hoang_, supra p. 449.]

[12] Mr. Wylie is inclined to distrust the accuracy of this remark, as the
only city nearly on the 36th parallel is P'ing-yang fu.

But we have noted in regard to this (Polo's Pianfu, vol. ii. p. 17)
that a college for the education of Mongol youth was instituted here,
by the great minister Yeliu Chutsai, whose devotion to astronomy Mr.
Wylie has noticed above. In fact, two colleges were established by
him, one at Yenking, i.e. Peking, the other at P'ing-yang; and
astronomy is specified as one of the studies to be pursued at these.
(See _D'Ohsson_, II. 71-72, quoting _De Mailla_.) It seems highly
probable that the two sets of instruments were originally intended for
these two institutions, and that one set was carried to Nanking, when
the Ming set their capital there in 1368.

[13] The 28 _sieu_ or stellar spaces, above spoken of, do not extend to
the Pole; they are indeed very unequal in extent on the meridian as
well as on the equator. And the area in the northern sky not embraced
in them is divided into three large spaces called _Yuen_ or
enclosures, of which the field of circumpolar stars (or circle of
perpetual apparition) forms one which is called _Tze-Wei_.
(_Williams_.)

The southern circumpolar stars form a fourth space, beyond the 28
_sieu_. Ibid.

[14] "This was obviously made in France. There is nothing Chinese about
it, either in construction or ornament. It is very different from all
the others." (_Note by Mr. Wylie._)

[15] "There follows a minute description of the brass clepsydra, and the
brass gnomon, which it is unnecessary to translate. I have seen both
these instruments, in two of the lower rooms."--Id.

[16] [Ferdinand Verbiest, S.J., was born at Pitthens, near Courtrai; he
arrived in China in 1659 and died at Peking on the 29th January,
1688.--H. C.]

[17] We have attached letters A, B, C, to indicate the correspondences of
the ancient instruments, and cyphers 1, 2, 3, to indicate the
correspondences of the modern instruments.