$60 
been the length of the metre, according 
to these dates, we find— 
Length of the metre in the 
sphere - - lines 443,27940 | 
Correction resulting from the 
flattened form of the earth 0,0156,0 
443,29500 
This result differs only zso of a line 
from the legal metre founded upon the 
first measurement between Dunkirk and 
Barcelona; consequently, if the tegisla- 
ture had waited till the conclusion of the 
whole operation, the length of the metre 
would have been only gasp of a line less : 
but this quantity is quite imperceptible ; 
and if we would find it to the nicest ex- 
actness by measurement, it would be 
mecessary to make a vast number of ex- 
periments with the most perfect instru- 
ments. Neglecting this insensible dif- 
ference, it is very satisfactory to see the 
legal metre so well confirmed by the 
whole operation ; the influence of the 
flattened form of the earth being no more 
than equal to 7$8% ofa line; andthe 
element derived from the theory of 
the moon would seem to be as exact, 
perhaps more so, than the geodesic ope- 
rations themselves. 
The metre calculated from the figure 
of the earth is connected with the varia- 
tions of gravity. It is therefore inte- 
resting to know the relation which the 
metre bears to the length of a second- 
pendulum, as it would be sufficient for 
recovering the standard if it should be 
lost. The knowledge thereof is equally 
useful for the theory of the earth. The 
pendulum was, therefore, examined with 
great care at Formentera; and the ob- 
servations have been examined and cal- 
culated by a committee of the Board of 
. Longitude. They are ten in number, 
zand their deviations from the medium do 
not exceed +4, of a millimetre, or zg5 of 
aline. The mean result of the whole 
give us for the length of the pendulum, 
» 
New Patents lately enrolled. 
{ Nov. 1; 
vibrating decimal seconds in vacuo at 
Formentera - metres 0,7412064 
According to the theory of 
the figure of the earth, cal- 
culated from very accurate 
experiments made at Paris 
by Borda, we find it 0,7411445 
The difference then is only 7§5 of a 
millimetre, or 3g of a line; which may 
be owing to the irregularities in the figure 
of the earth, It is intended to repeat 
the experiments at Dunkirk, and at the 
middle of the are about the latitude of 
Bourdeaux. 
The inclination of the angles on the 
meridian, and their azimuths are like- 
wise useful elements for the theory of 
the earth; Mechain and Delambre had 
observed them on different points of the 
arc between Dunkirk and Montjuy. 
The azimuth of the last side of the last 
triangle was likewise determined at For- 
mentera, by means of a great number of 
passages of stars observed with .the me-° 
ridian glass. : 
From the results stated in our report, 
it appears then, that the new measure- 
ment of the meridian in Spain confirms 
and gives additional certainty to the me- 
tre, by rendering it almost independent 
of the flattening of the earth, This are 
being joined to the meridian of France, 
presents an are of nearly 14 grades, lying 
at an equal distance from the equator 
and the pole; and in the diferent points 
of which the latitudes, the azimuths, and 
the variations of gravity have been ob- 
served ; and which, on account of its 
length, its situation, and the exactness 
of the means employed, may be just- 
ly pronounced the most perfect opera- 
tion of the kind that ever was executed. 
The observations for the first part, as 
is already known, were made by MM. 
Mechain and Delambre; and for the 
Spanish part, by MM. Biot and Arago, 
in conjunction with MM. Chaix, and 
Rodriguez, the Spanish commissioners, 
NEW PATENTS LATELY ENROLLED. 
EES 
MR. EDWARD COLEMAN’S, (VETERINARY 
COLLEGE,). for. certain Improvements 
in the Construetion and Application 
of a Horse-shoe. 
O the Patentee, the British public 
fh ade under very considerable obli- - 
gations for the improvements which he 
has introduced in the veterinary art. 
‘There are persons who are found to ob- 
1 
ject to the sums annually voted by par- 
liament for the support of the institution, 
at the head ef which Mr. Coleman stands: 
but these we may venture to affirm, are 
not acquainted with the advantages ac- 
cruing to individuals; and particularly 
to the public in regard to thé cavalry, 
from the money so expended. The va- 
rious works of Mr, Coleman shew 
that ~ | 
