On the Universe

OR ON COSMOGRAPHY.

without fables, to call the first, second, third, fourth, fifth month, etc., or Quintilis, Sextilis, Septilis, or September, October, November, January, Undecember, and Duodecember. But it is better to grow accustomed to the Holy names, so that the month of the vernal equinox is made of 31 days, and is spoken of in order thus: 1. Nissan, which is used for April or March—for the months in the Sacred books are lunar, whence they do not have a fixed beginning. 2. Aiar, 3. Sivan, 4. Tamuz, 5. Ab, 6. Elul, 7. Tisri, 8. Chesuan, 9. Chisleu, 10. January or Noachian, 11. Sabat, 12. Adar. I intend to restore the year in such a way that January coincides with the first sign of the sun approaching us, when the days begin to grow, which happens by intercalating those 21 days by which we now fall short of the place of the equinoxes, which [is] in the first degree...