The natural history of animals containing the anatomical description of several creatures dissected, by the Royal academy of sciences at Paris ... / Done into English by a fellow of the Royal society [Alexander Pitfield] ; to which is added an account of the Measure of a degree of a great circle of the earth, published by the members of the same Academy : English'd by R.W. [i.e. Richard Waller].

  • Académie des sciences (France)
Date:
1702
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The natural history of animals containing the anatomical description of several creatures dissected, by the Royal academy of sciences at Paris ... / Done into English by a fellow of the Royal society [Alexander Pitfield] ; to which is added an account of the Measure of a degree of a great circle of the earth, published by the members of the same Academy : English'd by R.W. [i.e. Richard Waller]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    365/378 (page 31)
    --—————----ft_J . not very far from the true meafure of a degree; though one may come to a yet greater precifenefs, by meafuring with the fame care and with like Inftrumentsa diftance much greater than that of Malvoifine and Amiens.. We will fix notwithstanding upon the round Sum of 5*7060 Toyfes for a degree of a great Circle of the Earth. 'Tis here principally, that the meafure taken from Pendulums, ought to be imployed, which we have fuppofed * univerfal, or at * Artic leaft invariable for every place; and which is to the Parisian Toyfe, * 4 as 88z to 864, becaufe following this proportion, the degree fhall be of 5595*9 univerfal Toyfes, of which every one contains two lengths of a pendulum of Seconds of mean time, fo that there wants but 41 of thefe Toyfes upon a whole degree to make up the Round Number of 56000, And by confequence the degree to be of 28 Univerfal Miles, fuch as we have determined them. To the end that Grangers may participate of this work, without being obliged to have recourfe to the length of a Pendulum of Se¬ conds, we fhall give the length of a degree, exprelled according to the particular Meafures of which we could gain the knowledg. Suppofing then The Paris Foot , of 1440 parts. The Rhein or Leyden Foot 1390. ' The London Foot ■ —- 1350. The Boulogne Foot 1686. \ The Brafe of Florence 2580. . ' .:,rr . /. .... . ' A Degree of a Great Circle of the Earth, according to the Meafures of divers places will contain Toyfes of the Caftle of Paris Pafes of Boulogne Verges of Rhein of 12 foot each Parifian Leagnes of 2000 Toyfes Midling Leagues of' France of about 2282 Toyfes Marine Leagues of 2853 Toyfes Englilh Miles of 5000 Foot each Florence Miles of 3000 Braffes 57060.' 58481. 29556. 28?. 25. 20. 73v°°* The Circumference of the Earth. Of Parifian Toyfes 20541600. Of Leagues of 25 in a degree 9000. Of Marine Leagues 7200. The Diameter of the Earth. Of Par if an Toyfes 6538594. Of Leagues of 25 in a degree 28640. OP Marine Leagues. 22910*