6 DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY. 
most striking proofs is that furnished by an eclipse of thf 
moon, which takes place in consequence of the earth coming 
between the sun and the moon, and causing the circula! 
shadow of the earth to be thrown on the latter body, 
4. If the earth, instead of being round in all directions, was merelt 
a circular flat body like the top of a round table, the shadow throwr 
from it on the moon would at one time or other present the appearanc‘ 
of an oval, of‘ a straight line, or some other figure different from thö 
which it has always been found to assume, 
5. Sailing round the world is another proof of its globula’ 
form. Itis well known that navigators, by leaving any se« 
port, Philadelphia for instance, and sailing as nearly east 07 
west from it as the form of the diflerent continents will per 
mit, may go round the world and return to the place they lef 
in a direction opposite to that from which they started. 
6. To sail round the. world is called cireumnavigating it, and wa: 
first accomplished by Magellan, @ Portuguese navigator, more thar 
three hundred years ago. It was for a long time considered a gres 
undertaking, but it has been of late years so often performed, that it ? 
10ot now thought to be an enterprise of any importance, 
4 
7. When a ship comes from sea towards the land, we firs! 
vet sight of the tops of the masts and rigging; as she advan 
ces nearer, the lower parts are seen; and at last the hull, 0’ 
body of‘ the vessel, comes distinctly into view. If the earth 
were not spherical, the hull would be the first part scen. 
8. A person sailing to the southern parts of the earth, perceives tha' 
‘he sun appcars morc and more to come directly over him at noon, whicl 
at lengih actually happens; and after he has passed the Equator, th‘ 
sun begins to appear to the northward, and will. go further and fürthr 
in that direction as he advances south, 
9. Now stars will also come into view in the southern horizon, while 
those in the northern parts will gradually disappear. These circur 
stances could not possibly happen if the earth were u Mat body, wheres“ 
every direction ? 4. If the earth was a circular flat body, what appear 
ance would its shadow present?. 5. What is another proof of it 
globular form? Iiow must navigators sail to go round the world.‘ 
6. What is it called? Who was the first that did it? What was }| 
for a long time considered? 7, What do we first get sight of when ® 
3hin comes from sea? What at last comes distinctly into view? 8, Wha‘ 
w'll a person sailing to the soulh perceive? After he has passed tb“ 
Fgu:tor what will begin to appear? 9 What will come into view