ee Dr. Hurton’s Proje far a 
if afta di confructing fines, tangents, aati yn to eae 
parts of ibe radius. 
1. The arbitrary divifion of the quadrant of the circle into 
equal parts by 60ths, which has been delivered down to us from 
the ancients, and gradually extended by fimilar fub-divifions 
by the moderns, among various ufes, ferves for trigonometrical 
and other mathematical operations, by adapting to thofe divi- 
fions of the arc, certain lines expreffed in equal parts of the 
radius, as chords, fines, tangents, &c. But among all the im- 
provements in this ufeful branch of fcience, I have long withed 
to fee a fet of tables of fines, tangents, fecants, &c. con 
ftru€ted to the arcs of the quadrant as divided into the like 
equal parts of the radius as thofé lines themfelves. In this 
natural way, the arcs would not be exprefled by divifions of 
6oths, in degrees, minutes, &c., but by the common decimal 
feale of numbers; and the real lengths of the arcs, expreffed i in 
fuch common numbers, would then ftand oppofite their refpective 
fines, tangents, &c. The ufes of fuch an alteration would 
be many and great, and are too obvious and important to need 
pointing out or enforcing. I have therefore had fora long 
time a great defire to commence this arduous tafk; but conti- 
nual interruptions have hitherto prevented me from making any 
confiderable progrefs in fo defirable an undertaking. But I am 
not without hopes that fome future occafion may prove more 
propitious to my ardent wifhes. It is not, however, to be ex- 
pected, that this work can be accomplifhed by the labours of 
one perfon only ; it will require rather the united endeavours 
of many. I fhall therefore explain a few particulars relative to 
my project of this work, with a view to obtain from others, 
who 
