According to Mott's translation of Newton's Principia, book 3, page 243, the equatorial diameter of the earth is 7964 English miles, and the polar diameter 7929, for as 230:229::7964:7929 miles, the polar axis.
Cassini, who adopted Picard's measure of a degree, makes the diameter of the earth 7967 statute miles; others have estimated it at 7917, and some at 7910 miles. But the estimate which is now esteemed most correct, I believe, is, that the equatorial diameter is 7977 English miles, and the polar diameter 7940. From this we may ascertain the solid contents of the earth. The axis of the earth then assumed to be 7940 and 7977 miles respectively, the area of the generating eclipse is (7940 × 7977 × 0,7854=) 49745178,252: and its area multiplied by two thirds of the longer axis, gives the solidity equal to (49745178,252 × 2/3 × 7977=) 264544857944,136 cubic miles.
[4] Physical World, p. 42.—Adam's Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 206; Philadelphia, 1807.
[5] "Dr. Herschel has observed a faint illumination in the unlighted part of the planet Venus, which he ascribes to some phosphoric quality of its atmosphere." Editor's note to Adams' Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 204, Philadelphia, 1807.
Quere—Might not such an appearance be accounted for as rationally, by supposing the rays of the sun to shine or be reflected, through one of her polar openings, and fall on the verge of the sphere at the opposite polar opening?
[6] Hearne's Journal, pp. 357, 368.
[7] Hearne's Journal, pp. 364, 365.
[8] Hearne's Journal, p. 442.
[9] Hearne's Journal, p. 442, 443, 444, 445, 446.
[10] Ibid, p. 445.