Oliver Optic

Across India Oliver Optic

Book Excerpt: ...of it. Sandy Hook is in longitude 74°, or it is that number of degrees west of Greenwich. Aden is in 45° east longitude.""Then you find how many miles it is by multiplying the number of degrees by 69," suggested Miss Blanche."You have forgotten about knots, or sea-miles," said Louis."So I have! I should have said multiply by 60," added the young lady."That would not do it any better," replied Scott."Degrees of latitude are always the same for all practical purposes; but degrees of longitude are as--'Variable as the shade By the light quivering aspen made, '"continued the third officer, who was about to say "as a woman's mind;" but he concluded that it was not quite respectful to the lovely being before him."What a poetical sea-monster you are, Mr. Scott!" exclaimed Miss Blanche with a silvery laugh."I won't do so any more," Scott protested, and then continued his explanation. "Degrees of longitude vary from nothing at the poles, up to 69.07 statute, or 60 geographical...