Note 3 — PLATO — ON THE EARTH’S ROTATION.

“To pack itself, or to be packed, round the axis: that is, upon the axis from all sides. We must not be misled by the present tense: for the forces, which compose and hold together the structure of the universe, are conceived as continuously in active operation. The Earth packs itself, or is packed, on to the axis — makes or forms a ball round the axis: which corresponds fully to that other usage of the word, in the sense of wrapping up or swathing round. Here too there is a superadded something blended with the idea, which conducts us to turning, winding, and thus to revolving: but this is every where nothing more than an accessory notion, suggested by the circumstances of the case. The word has only the meaning, to pack, to fasten — the senses, to wind, to revolve, are altogether foreign to it, and can only be superadded as accessory ideas, in certain particular instances, by the special nature of the case.”