La figure de la terre, déterminée par les observations de Messieurs de Maupertuis, Clairaut, Camus, Le Monnier, de l'Académie Royale des Sciences, & de M. l'abbé Outhier [...], accompagnés de M. Celsius [...] faites par ordre du Roy au cercle polaire. Nouvelle édition [...].

8vo: xxiv-[4]-208 pp.; 1 pl. (ms. notes on endpapers and throughout).

Contemp. calf, gilt spine with raised bands, red polished edges (sl. rubbed, lower endband missing).

2nd ed. (1st 1738) of the French Geodesic Mission to Lapland to determine the shape of the earth. P.L. Maupertuis (1698-1759) confirmed Newton's prediction that the earth was oblate, thus contradicting Jacques Cassini's statement regarding the earth's prolate shape. Engr. ill.: 1 map representing the arc of the meridian measured and many in-texts.
Ref. Cp. Polak n. 6540 (1st ed.). - Honeyman 2174-2175 (id.).
Prov. Mod. bookpl.