[ 339 ] 
through the fun or moon, or rather one between 
both; and, confquently, the equator of the earth 
has its motion in its own plane neither accelerated 
nor retarded, but obtains a new motion, wnofe axis 
is one of its own diameters. This is the true origin, 
as well of the minuter and periodical nutations, as 
of the regular and perpetual motion of the earth’s 
axis about the pole of the ecliptic, obferved in all 
ages, on which the continual preceflion of the 
equinoxes depends. 
But, to illuflrate more fully the point in queflion, 
let P, fee fig. reprefen t the north pole of the 
celeflial equator, which fuppofe to be tranflated, in 
any certain time, from P to Q, through the fmall 
ipace P Q, upon the meridian P D, by the adtions 
of the fun and moon ; let A be the equinodlial point 
of aries, and S the fun or flar. It is evident, that, 
as the rotation of the earth round its axis is no way 
affedled, the tranflation of the celeflial pole from P 
to Qjilong the arch P Q, of the celeflial meridian 
P D, will occafion no alteration in the time of any 
given meridian of the earth coming to the fixt ce- 
leflial meridian P D, nor confequently in the time of 
the fun or flars, when lying in this meridian, ap- 
pearing to pafs the meridian of the given place ; 
contrary to what lhould follow from the method of 
computing the equation of time, ufed in the Con - 
noiffance des Mouvements Celefles ; according to 
which, as long as the equation of the equinoxes is 
any thing, the equation of time mufl be affedted 
thereby, and confequently the abfolute time of the 
fun’s palling the meridian. 
X X 2 
But, 
