Chapter XIV.

Of Figures.

A figure is the exterior¹ appearance, the circumscription², and the boundary of a body.

The Pythagoreans say that the bodies of the four elements are spherical³, fire being in the supremest place only excepted, whose figure is conical.

1 exterior   

adj.外部的，外在的；表面的

参考例句：

• The seed has a hard exterior covering.这种子外壳很硬。
• We are painting the exterior wall of the house.我们正在给房子的外墙涂漆。

2 circumscription   

n.界限；限界

参考例句：

3 spherical   

adj.球形的；球面的

参考例句：

• The Earth is a nearly spherical planet.地球是一个近似球体的行星。
• Many engineers shy away from spherical projection methods.许多工程师对球面投影法有畏难情绪。