CeO a eee eee pk ee eae 
5 or geal = 
re ee 
Essay on the Figure of the Earth. i 
educing and comparing with each other, each of the eight 
he 
all the others. It is thence inferred that the meridians of the 
earth are not equal to each other, and thence that the equator » 
and the parallels are not circles, so that it is generally impos- 
sible to draw a great circle on the earth’s surface anywhere. 
Meridians different in form and length really indicate different 
polar compressions, a non-agreement of the results found, prov- 
ing nothing against the accuracy of the measures. 
Now since all meridians must converge at the poles they must 
all have in common one and the same diameter, viz., the small- 
est (the axis of rotation) which can be obtained from each of 
the large ares referred to. . 
he three greatest measured ares are— 
the Russo-Scandinavian....... waves zz 25° 20’ 085, 
. Ty 6 i545 Cde 2 a neaee wes == 21 21 16 6, 
OR 6 bs ere. wenn napees = 12 22 12 +4, 
Whilst all the others, including those not used by the writer, are 
ess than 5° in extent. 
By dividing each of these three ares into two equal parts and 
comparing one part with the other and also each part with the 
Whole, the writer obtains the following mean values: 
Semi-major axis {| Semi-minoraxis 
(toises). (toises). 
From the Russian.......++-++ 82726103 | 8261428-7 
oro AAG. oo. eee , as. 3272650°9 3261547°4 
—& © French .....sceeee+ 82784482 | 3260364:7 
In the first two, the differences are unimportant, but the last 
? 
Shows a greater deviation. Schubert remarks that this latter 
deviation can be got rid of by changing the latitude of Carcas- 
y changing r 
Sonne, the selected point of division of the French are, by 196, 
Which may not exceed the limits of uncertainty. He considers 
: ne, the ‘ 
Weight of that of India, In this manner he deduces the semi- 
Minor axis: 
8261467°9 toises. 
SECOND SERIES, Vor, XXX, No. 88.—JULY, 1860. 
tf 
