Improvements in modern Science derived from the East. 13 



the same pursuits, have established the foundation of a department 

 in philology, on which future students will look hack with grati- 

 tude, and future grammarians and philosophers erect a magnificent 

 superstructure. 



We pass, however, from the history of man to that of the globe 

 he inhabits. Here we have our attention first arrested by an im- 

 portant contribution to Physical Astronomy, effected in India by 

 the zeal, ability, and indefatigable perseverance of the late Lieut. 

 Colonel Lambton, under the munificent patronage of the East 

 India Company. This is the determination of the longest con- 

 tinuous arc of the meridian yet measured on the surface of the 

 earth ; extending from Cape Comorin, the southern extremity of 

 Hindustan, through twelve degrees of north latitude, to near the 

 city of Ellichpore in the province of Berar. It has been further 

 prosecuted beyond N. Lat. 20% is still in progress under the 

 direction of Captain Everest, and will probably be completed to 

 an uninterrupted portion of more than twenty degrees. The re- 

 cent investigations and experiments to determine the figure of the 

 earth have shewn this measurement to possess a greater value with 

 regard to that subject, than was ever contemplated, perhaps, when 

 the undertaking was commenced ; although the application of the 

 Pendulum in determining the ellipticity of the meridian, had not 

 then been made to any important extent, and the measurement of 

 terrestrial degrees was considered the principal means of solving 

 the problem. For " experience has fully shewn, that no result 

 of decisive character is to be expected from the repetition or 

 comparison of measurements in the middle latitudes ; and that it 

 is only from operations carried on in portions of the meridian 

 widely separated from each other, that such an event can be re- 

 garded as of probable accomplishment."* And from the com- 

 parison of the tropical extremity of a meridional arc in the 

 northern hemisphere, which has thus been determined in India, 

 with the measurement proposed to be effected within the Arctic 

 Circle, a conclusion may be expected, equally satisfactory with 

 that which has resulted from carrying into effect, under the con- 



♦ Sabine's Experiments to determine the Figure of the Earth by means of the 

 Penduhim, p. 360. 



