WOLLASTON, WILLIAM HYDE. - INVENTION OF THE GONIOMETER.

Description of a reflective Goniometer. Read June 8, 1809.

(London, W. Bulmer and Co., 1809). 4to. No wrappers as extracted from "Philosophical Transactions" 1809 - Part I. Pp. 253-258 and 1 engraved plate showing the Goniometer. Clean and fine.

First appearance of this paper describing Wollaston's invention of the Goniometer.

"Nor was it only in chemistry that he (Wollaston) left his mark. He invented a goniometer, a device to measure the angles between crystal faces, which greatly advance mineralogical research. A calcium silicate mineral is named wollastonite in his honor." (Asimow).

"When a surface is so small as one fiftieth of an inch in breadth, it becomes axtremely difficult to apply the short radius of a goniometer to it with correctness. But since a surface of that magnitude may reflect a very brilliant light, the reflected ray may be employed as radius, and may at pleasure be taken of such a lenght that the angles of small crystals can be known with as much precision as those of the largest surfaces."(Abstract).

Order-nr.: 42249