[ 8-i ] 
on the homogeneity, which is only a mere fuppo- 
fition j and as he has himfelf fufpcCted, in his fecond. 
and third edition, that the internal parts of the earth 
might be denfer than thofe towards the fuperficies, I 
do not fee how I oppofe myfelf that illuftrious philo- 
fopher, when I affurne the fame hypothefis, as he 
does. As I fhall ufe all poffible endeavour to under- 
ftand F. Frifius’s meaning, I hazard this conjecture. 
Seeing that I thought favourably enough of the exaCt- 
nefs to be obtained in aftronomy, when obfervations 
have been already made in great numbers, and with 
all poffible care, to fuppofe them fit to let us know, 
whether the diameters are in a greater or a lefs ratio 
than 230 to 231 ; and being informed afterwards, 
that the operation made in Peru led thofe, who have 
made ufe of it, to imagine the fpheroid flatter than the 
Homogeneous, he concludes, that I cannot help think- 
ing like them, and accordingly indulges himfelf in ex- 
pofing, how much I over-rate the validity of obferva- 
tions, and how little I know the fubmifiion due to a 
propofition of Sir Ifaac ; which, I muff fay, by the 
bye, that great man has never himfelf given as im- 
poflible to be oppofed by experience. But yet I would 
afk of F. Frifius, wherefore he will guefs at my fen- 
timents, whilft I have not given room to know them 
on that point ? How can he know, whether, fincc 
the examination of all the meafures, I have not found 
anyway to reconcile them with the theory ? Which 
I fay in no manner as a hint I intend to make any : 
corrections in thofe meafures, but merely to fhew the 
little foundation, which F. Frifius had to reprefent me 
as he has done. 
L 
However 
