From The Land Of Muscovy, A Ship
May Sail Eastwards To Tartary, At The Farthest Extremity Of Which China Is
Situated.
It is reported that there is a wall above 200 leagues in length,
between Tartary and China, in about lat.
50 deg. N.
From all the preceding discoveries, it may be concluded, that, as the
whole earth is 360 degrees, and the ancient writers allow 17-1/2 leagues
for every degree, the entire circuit of the earth would thus be 6300
leagues; but as, in my opinion, each degree is exactly seventeen leagues,
the circuit will then be only 6120 leagues. However this may be, the whole
circuit of the globe has been discovered and sailed over, from east to
west, even almost as it is encompassed and visited by the sun in its
diurnal course. It is quite otherwise, however, in respect to the northern,
and southern parts of the earth. For, towards the north pole, there has
only been discovered hitherto to the latitude of 77 deg. or 78 deg., which make an
extent of 1347 leagues; and between the equinoctial and the south pole,
there has only been discovered to the latitude of 52 deg. or 53 deg. south, or to
the Straits of Magellan; which amounts to no more than 960 leagues. Now,
adding these two together, their sum is just 2257 leagues: And, deducting
this sum from 6300 leagues, there still remains to be discovered, in the
north and south, 4043 leagues.
[1] Ferdinand was hereditary king of Arragon; but, by marrying Isabella,
queen of Castile, had united the several monarchies of Spain, under
one government.
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