That Geography doth merit the Title of Science in several Respects , and that the knowledge thereof is attended both with Pleasure and Profit , is so universally granted by all who make any considerable Progress therein , that to enter upon a Probation of it , would be every whit as superfluous , as if one should go about to evince that the Sun is risen at Noon-day . It derives its compound Name from the two Greek Primitives of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Terra , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , scribo vel describo , and differeth from Cosmography , [ quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. Mundi Descriptio ] as a part doth from the whole ; as also from Chorography and Topography [ quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. Regionis ac Loci Descriptio ] as the Whole from its Parts . By a true Description of the Exterior Part of the Globe of the Earth , we understand purely an Account of the Situation , Extent , Divisions , and Subdivisions , of all remarkable Countries on the Surface of the said Globe , together with the Names of their Cities and Chief Towns , and that accordingly as those Countries are already projected to our Hands upon particular Geographical Maps , and not an actual Survey or Mensuration of them , which the Science of Geography presupposeth , and which properly belongs to Geodaesia , or the Art of Surveying Land . In giving such a Description of Countries ( as aforesaid ) doth the Science of Geography properly consist ; as for other Narratives relating either to Countries themselves , or their Inhabitants , and which commonly swell up Geographical Tracts , we reckon them ( though the more pleasant part of this Study ) rather the Fringes of Geography , than its real or essential Parts . In the foregoing Definition we intirely restrict the Science of Geography to the exterior Part or Surface of the Earthly Globe , and that as it 's compos'd of Land and Water , as its sole constituent Parts , designing thereby to distinguish it from Natural Philosophy , which ( in its curious and pleasant Enquiries ) reacheth not only the said Surface in all its constituent Parts , but also the whole Globe of the Earth , with the whole Body of the Atmosphere surrounding the same , yea , and even the outmost imaginable Expanse of the Firmament it self . We again restrict that Science mainly to one Part of the aforesaid Surface ( viz. the Dry Land ) thereby to distinguish it from Hydrography , which particularly treateth of the other , namely Water . The Object therefore of Geography in a large Sense , is the whole Surface of the Ball of the Earth consisting of Land and Water as its sole constituent Parts , or ( in a strict and more proper Sense ) only One of those Parts , to wit , the Firm Land . For the more distinctly viewing of which Parts , and the better comprehending of the Science of Modern Geography in the true Fundamentals thereof , we shall begin with that Artificial Representation of the Earthly Ball , commonly call'd the Terraqueous Globe .

That this Globe is term'd Terraqueous from Terra and Aqua , ( the two constituent Parts of its Surface ) or Terrestrial to distinguish it from the Coelestial ; or finally , the Artificial Globe as a differencing Mark from the Natural or Real Globe of the Earth , are all so notoriously known , that the least Illustration were wholly superfluous . We reckon it also superfluous , to show that there is a true Resemblance in Figure , between the Artificial and Natural Globe , or that the Body of the Earth is truly Spherical : This being now beyond all dispute , and never ( at least very rarely ) call'd in question , except it be only by Women and Children But here note , That in the following Treatise , we intirely restrict our selves to this Globe , so that wheresoever the Name of Globe is indefinitely mention'd , we are never to understand the Coelestial . Note , also that wheresoever we are upon the Surface of the Natural Globe , that the Point in the Heavens exactly Vertical to us , is term'd our Zenith , and that Point diametrically opposite thereto , is stil'd our Nadir , which are two corrupted Arabian Terms in Astronomy , importing what is here asserted of them . The first observables that present themselves to our view in treating of the Globe , are its Axis and Poles .

It s term'd Axis from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , quod circa illam agatur Terra . As this Axis in the Natural Globe , is an imaginary Line , so in Artificial Globes its a real one , it being a streight piece of Iron , or solid Wood , passing through the middle of the Globe , as the Axle-tree of a Wheel .

It 's so call'd from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Terminans vel siniens , quia nostrum terminat prospectum , it being the outmost bounds or limits of our Sight , when situated in any Plain , or at Sea . This Circle is twofold , viz. The Sensible , and the Rational Horizon : The Sensible is that already describ'd , bounding the outmost prospect of the Eye , when viewing the Heavens round from any part of the Surface of the Earth ; but the other is purely form'd in the Mind , and supposeth the Eye to be placed in the very Center of the Earth , beholding the intire Upper Hemisphere of the Firmament : The Circle terminating such a prospect is reckon'd the true Rational Horizon , which is duly represented by that broad woodden Circle , usually fitted for all Globes . Upon which are inscrib'd several other Circles , particularly those two containing the Names of the Months , and Number of their Days , according to the Julian and Gregorian Account ; as also that other divided into the Thirty two Points of the Compass .

It 's so call'd from Meridies vel medius dies , because the Sun coming to the Meridian of any Place , is due South , or maketh Mid-day in the said place . The Meridian here defin'd is that great brazen Circle , in which the Globe turneth round upon the two Extremities of its Axis passing through the said Circle ; but the Meridians inscrib'd on the Globe it self , are those Thirty six Semi-circles terminating in both the Poles ; besides which , we may imagine as many as we please ; only note , That one of those Meridians is always reckon'd the first ; however it 's matter of indifference , which of them we take for such .

It 's call'd Equator , because the Sun coming to this Circle , tune aequantur noctes & dies , or Equinoctial for the same reason , viz. aequalitas noctium cum diebus . By others it 's simply term'd the Line , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and that chiefly by Navigators , as being of singular use in their Operations . It 's divided into 360 degrees , which are reckon'd round the Globe , beginning at the first Meridian , and proceeding Eastward .

It 's so call'd from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ( Animal ) because it 's adorn'd with Twelve Asterisms , ( commonly term'd the Twelve Signs ) being most of them Representations of divers Animals . The Names and Characters of which Signs are these following ,

Aries . Taurus . Gemini . Cancer . Leo. Virgo . ♈ ♉ ♊ ♋ ♌ ♍ Libra . Scorpio . Sagittarius . Capricornus . Aquarius . Pisces . ♎ ♏ ♐ ♑ ♒ ♓

Of all Circles inscrib'd on either of the Globes , this alone admits of Latitude , and is divided in the middle by a Concentrick Circle , term'd the Ecliptick , which properly is that Circle set upon the Globe comprehending the Characters of the Twelve Signs above-mentioned , each of which Signs is 1/12 part of that Circle , and contains 30 degrees .

They 're term'd Tropicks from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ( verto ) because the Sun in his Annual Course arriving at one of those Circles , doth return towards the other . They derive their respective Denominations of Cancer and Capricorn from touching the Zodiack at the two Signs of that Name , and each of them is distant from the Equator , exactly 23 degr. 1/2.

They 're term'd Polar , because of their Vicinity to the Poles . That Circle nearest the North , is call'd the Arctick ; and the other , next to the South Pole , the Antarctick Polar Circle , and that for the same reason already given , ( Def. 4. ) when treating of the Poles themselves .

These are the eight necessary Circles above-mention'd ; but to compleat the Furniture of the Globe , there remain as yet three Particulars , viz. the Horary Circle , the Quadrant of Altitude , and Semi-Circle of Position .

Upon this Circle are inscrib'd the Twenty four Hours of the Natural Day at equal distance from one another ; the Twelfth for Mid-day being in the upper part towards the Zenith , and the other Twelfth for Midnight in the lower towards the Horizon ; so that the Hours before Noon are in the Eastern , and those for the Afternoon in the Western Semi-Circle : As for an Index to this Horary Circle , the same is fixt upon the end of the Axis , and turneth round with the Globe . The Use of this Circle and Index will sufficiently appear in many pleasant Problems hereafter mention'd .

Upon this Semi-Circle are inscrib'd 180 Degrees , exactly the same with those upon the Equinoctial . We may term it a double Quadrant of Altitude in some respect , and it s of considerable Use in several delightful Problems .

To these I might add the Mariners Compass , that most necessary Instrument , commonly us'd by Navigators , which being duly toucht with the Load-stone , and horizontally fixt upon the Pedestal of the Globe , is frequently needful for the right Solution of several Problems .

The necessary Circles of the Globe being Eight ( as aforesaid ) ; Of them , and some others , hereafter mention'd are form'd the Latitude and Longitude of Places , as also Zones and Climates .

No Term is more frequently us'd in Geography than that of Latitude , which is twofold , viz. North and South . In reckoning of the Northern Latitude , you are to begin at the Equinoctial Line , and proceed to the Arctick ; and the Southern from the Equinoctial to the Antarctick Pole , still numbring the Degrees of Latitude , either upon the brazen or first Meridian . The many Circles inscrib'd on the Globe , at the distance of 10 Degrees from one another , and parallel to the Equator , are term'd Parallels of Latitude . But besides those actually inscrib'd , we are to conceive the Globe as furnisht with a vast multitude of such Circles , for every degree of Latitude , yea , and every sixtieth part of each degree is supposed to have an imaginary Parallel Circle passing through the same . But since Latitude ( as aforesaid ) is the Distance from the Equator to either of the Poles ; it from hence follows , that the greatest Latitude consisteth of 90 Degrees . Now correspondent to each of those Degrees ( or the 1/360 of a great Circle in the Heavens ) is a certain Space of the Surface of the Earth , which is every where of the same Extent in it self , but different in its number of Parts , according to the different reckoning of various Countries . To know the said different number of Parts , ( of what sort soever , whether they be Miles , Leagues , or other Measures ) corresponding to one Degree in the Heavens , is absolutely necessary for the right understanding of the true Distance of Places in different Countries ; we shall therefore illustrate the same , and that by the following Table ,