E j 1 ] 
As fbon as the Meridian of $ Paris had bee u exr- 
tended from one Sea to the other, and M. CaJJtni had 
thence deduced a Confirmation of the Syftem of the 
Earths being longer at the Poles 5 I imagined a new 
Method of deciding the Queftion, by the Obfervation 
of the Degrees of the Parallel compared with thofe of 
the Meridian, 
For that Purpofe I confider'd, that as the Degrees 
of the Meridian and thofe of the Parallel, at the fame 
Elevation of the Pole, had different Relations, accord- 
ing to the different Figures afcribed to the Earth > no* 
thing more was requifite for concluding which Hypo- 
thelis was the true one, than to determine this Rela- 
tion by immediate Obfervation. 
Having fuppofed, that there had been obferved on 
the Parallel of ‘Paris , a Space nearly of the fame Mag-* 
nitude with that on the Meridian, that is, of about 1 £ 
Degrees, fince that on the Meridian is about eight 
\ Degrees 5 I found by an exaft Calculation, that 
according to the Figure which M. CaJJtni has given to 
the Earth, this Space ought to contain thirteen Mh 
nutes and half of the Parallel more than in the Hypo- 
thefis of the Earth's being fpherical ; which appear'd to 
me confiderable enough to be able to decide between: 
thefe two Hypothefes, and by a ftronger Reafon be* 
tween the Hypothefes of Mez vton and Cafftni > fee- 
ing the Difference ought to. be ftill more confiderable 
than that now fpecifkd. 
I concluded, at lead, that, independent of the Figure 
of the whole Earth, which could not be determined 
by the foie Obfervations made in Front e, without 
* making Suppofitions, and admitting Principles, which 
are ftill liable to be eontefted 5 it would be of great Confe- 
E % queiicc 
