The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

CHAP. VIII. [ 30]

To take the Plot of a Field upon your Plain Table at two Stations taken within the same Field, with∣out tedious travelling about it, by measuring only the Stationary distance. [ 40]

IT may so happen that the plotting of a Field must be according to these following Direct∣ions; yet make as little use thereof as may be, in regard of the acutness of the Angles, which is more lyable to Error than any of the former ways, though grounded upon a firm Geometrical Principle.

[illustration]

[ 50]

Let A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, be the Figure of [ 60] a Field, and let the two Stations within the same be O and Q.

Having placed your Instrument at O, for your first Station, the Needle hanging directly over the Meridian-Line of the Card, you must 1^st. Di∣rect your Sights to your first Angle at A, and draw the Line O, A. Secondly Direct your Sights to B, and draw the Line O, B. Thirdly to C, and draw the Line O, C. Fourthly to D, and draw the Line O, D. Fifthly, to E, and draw the Line O, E. Sixthly to F, and draw the Line O, F. Seventhly to G, and draw the Line O G, and Eightly direct your Sights to H, and draw the Line O, A.

This done, direct your Sights to your second Station at Q, and draw the Line O, Q, upon your Table; then with your Chain measure out your Stationary distance O, Q, 40 Perches; and re∣moving your Instrument to Q. (the Needle over the Meridian Line of the Card) make observation as before at O. that is, direct your Sights first to A, drawing the Line Q, A, and so proceed to the rest as aforesaid.

By the Figure you may see where the correspon∣dent Lines at each Station intersect; as first the Lines O, A, and Q, A, intersect, or cross each other at A. Secondly, The Lines O, B, and Q, B, cross at B. Thirdly, The Lines O, C, and Q, C, cross at C. Fourthly, The Lines O, D, and Q, D, cross at D. Fifthly, The Lines O, E, and Q, E, cross at E. Sixth∣ly The Lines O, F, and Q, F, intersect at F. Seventh∣ly, The Lines O, G, and Q G, cross at G, and Eightly, The Lines O, H, and Q, H, cross each other at H.

Therefore if from these Points of intersection you draw Lines from one to the other, you have upon your Paper the exact proportion of your Field, to wit the Lines AB, BC, CD, &c.

And by this kind of plotting, you will find a quick dispatch, as not obliged to observe De∣grees cut, or to measure any Distances, except only between you Stations; but by reason of the acuteness of the Angles, (without exact draw∣ing of your Lines, and observing the precise Points of intersection) you may run into gross Absurdities, and Mistakes.