The Seven Follies of Science [2nd ed.] A popular account of the most famous scientific impossibilities and the attempts which have been made to solve them.   By: John Phin

Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note. The oe ligature is shown as [oe], the Greek letter pi is represented by [pi], and ^ appears before a superscript character.

THE SEVEN FOLLIES OF SCIENCE

A POPULAR ACCOUNT OF THE MOST FAMOUS SCIENTIFIC IMPOSSIBILITIES AND THE ATTEMPTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE TO SOLVE THEM.

TO WHICH IS ADDED A SMALL BUDGET OF INTERESTING PARADOXES, ILLUSIONS, AND MARVELS.

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS

BY JOHN PHIN

AUTHOR OF "HOW TO USE THE MICROSCOPE"; "THE WORKSHOP COMPANION"; "THE SHAKESPEARE CYCLOPEDIA"; EDITOR MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S, "CENTURY OF INVENTIONS"; ETC.

SECOND EDITION

[Device]

NEW YORK D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY 23 MURRAY AND 27 WARREN STS. 1906

COPYRIGHT, 1906, BY D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY.

PREFACE

In the following pages I have endeavored to give a simple account of problems which have occupied the attention of the human mind ever since the dawn of civilization, and which can never lose their interest until time shall be no more. While to most persons these subjects will have but an historical interest, yet even from this point of view they are of more value than the history of empires, for they are the intellectual battlefields upon which much of our progress in science has been won. To a few, however, some of them may be of actual practical importance, for although the schoolmaster has been abroad for these many years, it is an unfortunate fact that the circle squarer and the perpetual motion seeker have not ceased out of the land.

In these days of almost miraculous progress it is difficult to realize that there may be such a thing as a scientific impossibility. I have therefore endeavored to point out where the line must be drawn, and by way of illustration I have added a few curious paradoxes and marvels, some of which show apparent contradictions to known laws of nature, but which are all simply and easily explained when we understand the fundamental principles which govern each case.

In presenting the various subjects which are here discussed, I have endeavored to use the simplest language and to avoid entirely the use of mathematical formulae, for I know by large experience that these are the bugbear of the ordinary reader, for whom this volume is specially intended. Therefore I have endeavored to state everything in such a simple manner that any one with a mere common school education can understand it. This, I trust, will explain the absence of everything which requires the use of anything higher than the simple rules of arithmetic and the most elementary propositions of geometry. And even this I have found to be enough for many lawyers, physicians, and clergymen who, in the ardent pursuit of their professions, have forgotten much that they learned at college. And as I hope to find many readers amongst intelligent mechanics, I have in some cases suggested mechanical proofs which any expert handler of tools can easily carry out.