CHAP. 64. (64.)—OF THE FORM OF THE EARTH.
Every one agrees that it has the most perfect figure [Note].
We always speak of the ball of the earth, and we admit it
to be a globe bounded by the poles. It has not indeed the
form of an absolute sphere, from the number of lofty mountains and flat plains; but if the termination of the lines be
bounded by a curve [Note], this would compose a perfect sphere.
And this we learn from arguments drawn from the nature of
things, although not from the same considerations which we
made use of with respect to the heavens. For in these the
hollow convexity everywhere bends on itself, and leans upon
the earth as its centre. Whereas the earth rises up solid
and dense, like something that swells up and is protruded
outwards. The heavens bend towards the centre, while the
earth goes from the centre, the continual rolling of the
heavens about it forcing its immense globe into the form of
a sphere [Note].
