An Incorrect Footnote and its Consequences

Abstract

THANKS to the wide circulation of NATURE, my original note with the above heading has attracted attention in quite a number of the proper quarters. Several letters have reached me on the subject, and more than one of the writers, after reporting that the Demonstratio eliminationis Cramerianæ had been found properly catalogued under De Prasse, proceed in consequence to express their surprise at Baltzer's mistake. Mr. Copeland's letter in yesterday's NATURE (p. 343) adds another instance of this correctness of cataloguing. The additional fact, which he mentions, that there are two copies of the original edition of the Demonstratio in the Dun Echt library is very interesting, and is a fresh proof of the existence there of valuable rarities.