6. Experiences de l'effet du vent a l'egard du thee mometre. Id. 1710, p. 5 4 4.
7. Reflexions sur les observations du barometre qui ont etc faite sur les montagnes du Puy-de-Dome, du Mont-d'Or, et du Canigou. Id. 1740. Hist. 79.
8. Methode de se semi'. des Miroirs concaves, de me tal ou de verre pour tenir les metaux en fusion, &c. Id. 1747, p. 25.
Our author was employed, along with Maraldi and De la Hire the Younger, in completing the measuremem of a degree of the meridian, which had been begun by Pi card, and continued by Dominique Cassini ; and he finish ed this work in the year 1718. The latitudes observed in several points, in art extent of more than six degrees, slimed an inequality in these degrees ; and M. Cassini maintained, that the degrees of the same meridian dimi nished towards the poles, and consequently that the earth was a prolate spheroid. This so contrary to the Newtonian theory of gravity, induced the French govern ment to measure a degree at the equator and near the poles, the result of which overturned the opinion of our author.
In the year 170•, Cassini had been appointed master of accounts, and he discharged the duties of this office with such activity and zeal, that, in 1716, he was one of the small number of magistrates who were chosen to compose the Chamber of Justice.
While our author was on the road to his country house al Thury, he was unfortunately overturned, and, having become instantly paralytic, he died of his wound on the 15th April 1756.
Cassini was large and well made, and had a very inte resting physiognomy. Distinguished by piety and bene licence, he was one of those persons who obtain that uni versal esteem to which they were justly entitled. In 1710, Cassini married ad cm oi sell e Dticharmoi, the daughter of the Countess of Sissonne, 1w whom he had six chil dren, one of whom died when young. II is two daughters were well married, and his three sons rose to eminence in their respective professions. (o)