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Re: [HM] "portagraion" -- a "mathematical instrument" circa 1745?
Posted:
Feb 8, 2006 9:27 AM
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James A. Landau forwarded a puzzling question from an other list, about
what a "portagraion"could be.
> 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.
Apparently, it is quoted from an old catalogue of instruments, and it
comes just after "drawing Pens". My suggestion is "portagraion" could
mean "Porte-crayon", that is a box to keep various pens. Have a amused
look at
http://chezlorry.ca/EvenSpec/FeteMere/Bricolages/Portecrayon.htm
Udai Venedem
http://aaaa.fr.eu.org/alta.mathematica/
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