Mr. Galbraith on the Figure of the Earth, 



329 



From a review of the whole, it appears that the ellipticity is 

 somewhat greater than it has generally been supposed, though 

 the difference is not very great. It seems also probable that 

 the discordancies of the results derived from the formula for 

 computing the length of the pendulum are not very consider- 

 able, and are so irregular that no general protuberance, or 

 uncommon diminution of the force of gravity, is any where 

 likely to follow from the observations by the pendulum. 



The only doubt that remains, is perhaps the effect of com- 

 bining the lengths of the pendulum on stations of very differ- 

 ent specific gravities, where a preponderance of dense or light 

 materials is likely to prevail. 



It is to be feared that the lengths of the pendulum near the 

 equator are rather in excess, as the stations have been, generally 

 speaking, on bases of considerable density; and by this means 

 rendering the equatorial pendulum too great, the excess of the 

 polar above the equatorial pendulum too small, and conse- 

 quently the compression too great ; though more numerous 

 experiments near that circle are still wanting to decide this 

 point in an unexceptionable manner. 



It is to be expected, that some light may be thrown on the 

 New Series. Vol. 3. No. 17. May 1828. 2 U exact 



