II. 



FRENCH GEODESY.* 



Every one understands what an interest we have in 

 knowing the shape and the dimensions of our globe, 

 but some people would perhaps be astonished at the 

 precision that is sought for. Is this a useless luxury ? 

 What is the use of the efforts geodesists devote to it ? 



If a Member of Parliament were asked this question, 

 I imagine he would answer : " I am led to think that 

 Geodesy is one of the most useful of sciences, for it is 

 one of those that cost us most money." I shall 

 attempt to give a somewhat more precise answer. 



The great works of art, those of peace as well as 

 those of war, cannot be undertaken without long 

 studies, which save many gropings, miscalculations, 

 and useless expense. These studies cannot be made 

 without a good map. But a map is nothing but a 

 fanciful picture, of no value whatever if we try to 

 construct it without basing it upon a solid framework. 

 As well might we try to make a human body stand 

 upright with the skeleton removed. 



Now this framework is obtained by geodetic meas- 



* Throughout this chapter the author is speaking of the work of his 

 own countrymen. In the translation such words as "we" and "our" 

 have been avoided, as far as possible ; but where they occur, they must 

 be understood to refer to Fiance and not to England. 



