of the Earth ly means of Occultations of the fixed Stars. 415 



1",5 within the moon's disc, and the duration only 3'. 14"; being 

 a difference of 46" in the result of the two hypotheses. If the 

 moon were 20" high, the difference would be only 42". If how- 

 ever the observation were made in latitude 70", and the moon at 

 10" high, the difference would be much greater: since, on the 

 supposition of the compression = -j^, the duration would be 

 2'. 30'' 5 whereas, on the supposition of the compression = -j-J-g- 

 the star would not undergo any occultation at all, but would 

 merely touch the moon's disc. Nearly similar results might be 

 obtained, under particular circumstances, in lower latitudes ; as 

 may be seen from an inspection of the Tables. And it will thus 

 be evident that a very small difference in the ellipticity of the 

 earth, may, under some very favourable circumstances, be ren- 

 dered sensible to observation. 



It is unnecessary however to dwell further upon this subject at 

 present: a fair experiment does not appear to have ever yet been 

 made of the ingenious mode proposed iDy the illustrious author of 

 the Memoir, for determining the true figure of the earth. It 

 seems to nie to be highly deserving of encouragement: and my 

 object will be fully answered if any practical good should result 

 from the public attention which I may have excited in its favour. 



F.B. 

 Table I. 



Table 



