LETTER XIV 



Trigonometrical Jleasurement of the Peak. 



The measurement of the Peak of Teneriffe has occu- 

 pied the attention of various individuals at different periods, 

 whose efforts have been attended with the widest results ; 

 and the obscure manner in which most of their operations 

 have been brought before the public has prevented us from 

 judging of their error or truth. Consequently, my atten- 

 tion has been occupied for several days past in performing 

 that task trigonometrically, not, however, as an object of 

 mere curiosity, but as being essentially connected with my 

 physical labors. 



The ground in the Valley of Orotava being uneven and 

 intersected by ravines, it was impossible to find a base 

 extensive enough to determine the distance of the Peak 

 by a single triangle, consequently I employed two. I 

 measured on the plain between the Botanic Garden and 

 La Paz, my first basis a b of 100 toises, or 639 English 

 feet. See the followincr figure. 



