In order to call in queftion the conclufions drawn from
the obfervations of Kraflilnikoff, Monfieur de Vaugondy
pretends that the inftruments and pendulums, which he
made ufe of at Kamtchatka, were much damaged by the
length of the journey ; and that the perfon who was
fetit to repair them was an unskilful workman. But
this opinion feems to have been advanced without fuf-
£cient foundation. Indeed Kraflilnikoff* himfelf allows
that his pendulum occafionally ftopt, even when
neceflary to afcertain the true time of the obferyation.
He admits therefore that the obfervations which he took
under thefe difad vantages (when he could not corredt
them by preceding or fubfequent obfervations o f the fun
or ftars) are not to be depended upon, and has accordingly
diftinguifhed them by an afterisk ; there are however
a number of others, which were not liable to any
exception of this kind; and the obfervations already
mentioned in this number are compiifed under this clafs.
If the arguments which have been already produced
Ihould not appear fufficiently fatisfadtory, we have the
further teftimony of Mr. Muller, who was in thofe parts
at the fame time with Kraflilnikoff, and who is the only
competent judge of this matter now alive. For that re-
* Nov. Com. Pet. III. p. 444.
4 fpedtable
fpedtable author has given me the. moft pofitive affur-
ances, that the inftruments were not damaged in fuch a
manner as to effedt the accuracy of the obfervations when
in the hands of a skilful obferve'r.
That the'longitude of Kamtchatka is laid down with
fufficient accuracy by the Ruflian geographers, will appear
by comparing it with the longitude of Yakutsk ; for
as'the latter has been, clearly eftablifhed by a variety of
obfervations, taken at different times and by different
peffons, if there is any error in placing Kamtchatka fo
far to the Eaft, it will be found in the longitude between
Yakutsk and Bolcheresk. A fhort coraparifon therefore
of fome of the different obfervations made at Yakutsk,
will help to fettle the longitude of Kamtchatka, and
will ftill farther confirm the charadter of a skilful ob-
feryer, , which has been given to Kraflilnikoff.
Kraflilnikoff in returning from Kamtchatka öbferved
at Yakutsk feveral eclipfes of the fatellites of Jupiter,
of which the following, are mentioned by him as, the
moft exadt. .
1744,' . Old Style. I l
*Feb. 7. Imm. x.Sat. 11 18 35 fomewhat doubtful.
22. Imm. i i . Sat. 10 31 11
29. Imm. i i . Sat. 13 6 54
Mar. I. Imm. 1. Sat. 11 2.3 o
Apr. 9. Em. 1. Sat. 12 23 50
all exadt.
* Nov. Comm. Petr. T. Ill, p. 460.
N n The
Accuracy
the Ruin.
Geograpl;