The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1677-1756
Italian astronomer who fervently supported René Descartes' prediction that Earth is a prolate spheroid—elongated polar axis—against Isaac Newton's prediction that it is an oblate spheroid—bulging equator and flattened poles. Cassini adopted the Cartesian view after participating in his father's extension of the Paris meridian (1700-01). Results from this and other geodesic work seemed to support Descartes' hypothesis. Expeditions to Peru (1734-44) and Lapland (1736) later settled the debate decisively in favor of Newton.