The Molten Sea

In 1835, Captain J. B. Jervis, of the Bombay Engineers, published at Calcutta an essay, entitled *Records of Ancient Science*, in which he endeavours to reconcile the discrepancy between the 1 Kings, vii. 23. 26. and the 2 Chron. iv. 2. 5. by proving that a vessel of oblate spheroidal form—of 30 cubits in the periphery, and 10 cubits in the major axis—would (according to the acknowledged relation of the bath to the cubit) hold exactly 2,000 baths liquid measure, and 3,000 baths when filled and heaped up conically with wheat (as specified in Ezekiel, xlv. 11.). I do not possess any means of cri…