[ 74 - ] 
For the better undemanding of that chapter, it is 
proper to know, that the chief refults of the prece- 
dent inquiries are thefe theorems : 
1 . Suppofing the earth in its former {late com - 
pofed of feveral fluids of different denfities, and fet- 
tled all in equilibrium by the laws of gravity and- 
centrifugal forces, the furfaces feparating the different 
mediums will always affedt the form of a curve ; 
which is fo near to the ellipfis, that it may be fup- 
pofed fo, without any error of the leaff moment. 
2. That, in the cafe of the denfer fluids being 
nearer to the center, as hydroftatics require, the fphe- 
roid will always be lefs flat than in the homogeneous 
one, and vice verfa. 
3. And as to the diminution of the gravity from 
the pole to the equator, it will always follow the 
oppoflte rule ; viz. if the fpheroid be denfer towards 
the center, the gravity will decreafe in a lefs ratio 
than in the homogeneous fpheroid, and vice verfa. 
4. That if S reprefent the fraction found out for 
the difference of diameters, — S will exprefs the 
total diminution of the gravity from the pole to the 
equator, not only in the cafe of the fpheroid fuppofed 
originally fluid, but in any fuppofition of variation 
for the denfities and proportion of the diameters of 
the beds, provided they be elliptical. 
Thefe premifed, let us proceed to the faid laff 
chapter of the theory of the earth’s figure ; in which 
the principles laid down in the preceding chapters are 
compared with the obfervations. 
