[ 75 ? 3 
Solution of an eafy Queftion into a long Proccfs of 
Algebra or Fluxions, when the plain Rule of Propor- 
tion would juftly anfwer the fame. 
It is obje&ed. That, in furveying by the Plotting- 
Table, the fhrinking or fwelling of the Papers, are a 
great Inconvenicncy. 
In Anfwer to this, it may be faid, The fame Incon- 
veniency attends the furveying by any other Inftru- 
ment, fo foon as it is plotted ; for both Velumn and 
Paper will fhrink and fwell in the Houle on the Al- 
teration of Weather (as well as all Bodies) ; for a Line 
of 48 Chains, plotted by a Scale of 3.2 per Inch, in 
a hazy Morning, in a clear Afternoon the fame Day, 
meafured but 4 7 and an half : And there are various 
Shrinkings and Swellings, according to the Weather, 
and Difference of Paper, &c. 
In the Plotring-Table this Inconveniency is in a 
great meafure remedied. For in what State foever 
of the Weather you put Lines on the Chart, the 
Holders give Marks on the Chart as it then flood ; if 
it was moifl and fwelled up in the middle Part, you 
may, when you either caft up or meafure Lines, by 
laying it on a damp Floor, put it in the fame Condi- 
tion as ic was when you plotted' the Lines. If you 
plotted in dry hot Weather, and are cafling up in 
damp or moifl, a little heating by tho Fire will reduce 
it to the fame State again. Another Remedy I have 
long ufed is, to plot and meafure by Scales of the 
fame Paper, which will fhrink or fwell in proportion 
as your Map does. 
But it will be well to obferve here, that the Shrink- 
ing and Swelling alters the Lines only, and not at all 
the Angles: For, let a Polygon be never fo much 
uni- 
