Chapter 1

I. ASTRONOMERS AND CARTOGRAPHERS. PAGE Cassini, Picard, and La Hire--The Meridian line and the map of France--G. Delisle and D'Anville--The shape of the earth-- Maupertuis in Lapland--Condamine at the Equator . . . . . . . . 3

II. VOYAGES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

Expedition of Wood Rogers--Adventures of Alexander Selkirk-- Galapagos Island--Puerto Seguro--Return to England--Expedition of George Anson--Staten Island--Juan Fernandez--Tinian--Macao-- Taking of the vessel--Canton river--Results of the Cruise . . . 13