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[HM] "portagraion" -- a "mathematical instrument" circa 1745?
Posted:
Feb 6, 2006 5:35 PM
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The following question was posted on another list. I will forward all
replies
posted to HM or sent directly to me.
- James A. Landau
>Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2006 13:20:23 -0500
>From: "Joel S. Berson" <Berson@ATT.NET>
>Subject: Q: "portagraion" -- a "mathematical instrument" circa 1745?
>
>What is a "portagraion", in the following quotation from 1745? I've
>done my best in OED2 and googling with various possible
>spellings. The mention just before of drawing pens suggests
>"pantograph", but that's not close to what I see.
>Stephen Greenleaf, Mathematical Instrument-Maker...;Makes and mends
>all Sorts of Mathematical Instruments, as Theodolites, Spirit Levels,
>Semicircles, Circumferences, and Protractors, Horizontal and
>Equinoctal [sic] Sun Dials, Asimuth and Amplitude Compasses,
>Elliptical and Triangular Compasses, and all Sorts of common
>Compasses, drawing Pens and Portagraions...; with sundry other
>Articles too tedious to mention.
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