Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-14

fact that the more the problem of the
formation of the earth is studied by
savants. the more is the belief that the
earth is not round credited This may
seem like a ridiculous statement but
such authorities as Professor "A. Fowler
one of the leading members OF the Royai
Astronomical Society, is firmly of this
belief, and he represents host OF others
of equal prominence.
The longest arc at present known Is -
degrees and S2 minutes in length. The
southern termination Of this arc, which
means one Of those lines you see drawn
I'm a semi-crcle on a map, Is Stare
Nekrassowka, in latitude 10 degrees ~
minutes. and 2 $40 seconds. This terml-
nation is marked by a pyramid OF cast
iron which rests on cube seven feet
wide bearing an inscription showing what
the monument really Is. The norther-
most limit Of this arc Is at Hammerfest'
i'm Norway Another monument Is there.
The column and pedestal art of granite,
and at the top, on a bronze base, Is Il
terrestrial globe of copper, bearing the
following inscription: THE northern ter
mination Of the arc of meridian OF %
degrees 20 minutes from the Arctic ocean
to the river Danube, through Norway
Sweden, and Russia. which, according TO
the orders of his Majesty, King oscar Il"
and tho Emperors alexander u and
Nicholas l.. and by uninterrupted labors
from 1916 to 1852. was measured by the
geometers OF the three nations"
When the present arc was completed, IL
was celebrated as the conclusion of the
4 III of
ried TO completion. Therefore, how much
greater is the present plan, for 1t con-
templates the measurement of an arc OF
,o5 degrees. To the non-scientihc, or,
mind, the measure
mont of arcs of meridian may not perhaps
seem much Of task If 1t were true
,bot the earth was really entlrey
snherical in shape, the lay opinion would
not be so far from the fact, because an
n would be necessary TO do would De
90 ,oeasure one great arc, and the other
orcs could be determined from THIS, De-
cause If the earth were round or spherl-
cal the arcs must differ in symmetrical
nroportions, just as ball. perfectly
round. grows slightly smaller from the
centre outward.
AS a matter of fact the scientists VINO
engage in measuring the arcs found lhat
degree
orce nroved that II was necessary TO
measure a number of degrees of meridian
In various parts Of the world, so as to
0nd the order and precise size ana shape
of an arc. 1t is necessary Tor these cal
culations 10 be absolutely accurate. III
thew are Inaccurate, If the measure
ment of the degrees that constitute the
arc Is in any way faulty 1t practically
DESTROYS the value of the science OF naVi-
cation. a.,,r,.
ont his course each day upon OASIS OF
| longitude and latitude which In turn de-
pends upon the arcs Of meridian now
| if the measurement Of that arc be IN any
way wrong, the course OF the vessel VIII
srr accordingly. and it takes but trifiing
variation 10 so steer a ship that she Will
| str,ka n charted obstruction. Every
survey that is made to make the arcs of
meridian more accurate simply renders
| the liability of ships meeting with dis
! aster inst so much less in corresponding
degree.
The first operation under the new plan
| viii dapend primarily upon the measure
| ment of a base line some miles in length,
upon the most level stretch OF land avail
| ahle base line is a point of beginning.
rhe LAYING down of n base line is the
| most tedious and delicate process, for even
| AZ the line he seven or eight miles long.
II must be as straight as possible. and
| us length must be ascertained almost 10
| the merest inch. one Of the greatest diff
| nculties to be faced Is the difference in
| the length of the mea surfing rods used by
| the surveyors, because changes OF tenn
! porature. as q rule, made the rods longer
or shorter--not much, TO be sure, but the
| sliyhtest difference in a matter OF this
sort makes eventually a very great DIFF
| ference.
The present measuring rod in use Is
| calculated to overcome this annoyance
10 n certain degree. 1t is formed Of a
! bar of brass firmly Joined at Its centre
! tn one OF ircn Pivoted at the ends are