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ART. XLV. Particulars respecting the Altitudes of the Stations. The height of the station on Trevose Head, above the surface of the sea at low water, was determined in 1797, by levelling. The transit instrument was used for the purpose; and there is reason to believe the result, 274 feet, is within a very few inches of the truth.

In the Philosophical Transactions for 1797, p. 471, the height of the station on Maker Heights is said to be 402 feet; this was also found by levelling. The altitude of St. Agnes Beacon, determined from that station, is 599 feet; (see the same volume and page;) but, if the calculation be made from the base of altitude at Trevose Head, the height of that station, above the level of the sea, will be 621 feet, which gives a difference of 22 feet. It must be recollected, however, that in the first result, the computation was carried through two intermediate stations, which gave three arcs, and as many mean refractions; and, considering the extreme variableness to which refractions are liable, we are assuredly not to consider 22 feet deviation from the truth as a large quantity.

Besides St. Agnes Beacon, the altitudes of Cadon Barrow, Brown Willy, Hensbarrow, and Bodmin Down, have been determined from that of Trevose Head. Of the remaining stations, some are derived from Maker Heights, others from Dunnose: most of them are mean results, that is, each station has generally been found two ways; and, as it will serve to shew what errors proceed from irregularity of refraction, and imperfection of observation, I shall exhibit a few particulars in relation to them.

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The above will sufficiently shew, what dependence is to be placed on the heights deduced from observed angles of elevation or depression; the results are, indeed, often less consistent, and frequently unsatisfactory; but, generally, they run on a parallel with these. The data from which all the heights have been computed, accompany this article.

The measurement of the base on Sedgemoor, shewed a fall of about 7 feet, from Lugshorn Corner to Greylock's Foss-way:

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