The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-28 00:00:00

THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH,

articularly in Australia, and he soon discovered
that dessication, so very observable there, was too
extensive and permanent to be explained by Occur-
rences of an irregular nature. Remembering also
that similar appearances had been observed in other
parts of the world, for which no satisfactory cause
was assigned, he had collected the observations of
travellers in regard to various countries, and en-
deavoured, by the evidence they afforded in the fail-
ing of the water systems, to establish the theory of
a general and continuous decline of the humidity
supported by the atmosphere,
.and.then to discover
in the operation of some law of our terrestrial sys-
teni the cause of dessication in both land and
atmosphere. After quoting largely from the works
of various travellers and writers (among the latest of
whom was Dr. Livingstone), and giving interesting
descriptions of dried-up rivers and desolated tracts of
country in Australia, Africa, Mexico, and Peru,which
had formerly been inhabited by. man, Mr. Wilson
proceeded to give his own theory as to the cause of
this desiccation, contending that the upheaval of
the land, the waste by irrigation, and the destruc-
tion of forests, all of which had been put forward
as the cause, were insufficient to account for what
had been described. He remarked that the amount
of aqueous vapours that east be borne, by the atmo-
sphere at any time mustlbe in proportion to the
mass of the atmosphere itself, from which -it fol.-
Jowed t4inta reduction in, mass of the atmo-
sphere would produce a corresponding decline in the
amountof hydrous vapours absorbed and supported.
If, therefore, a physical operation involving a waste
of the atmosphere could be discovered, it might be
concluded that at least one cause had been found
for its declining humidity, and a decline of tem-
perature was another cause. Agreeably with
these conditions it was learnt that a vast amount of
the atmosphere, and of the ocean likewise, had be-
come solidified. The rocks, in the history of their
own formation, bore witness to the tendency to this
transmutation in the character of both. The ele-
ments of water were hydrogen and oxygen, and
the atmosphere was composed of oxygen, nitro-
gen, and carbonic acid, in which hydrous vapours
mingled in varying quantities, all of which had
entered largely into the formation of rocks and
minerals. The coal plants hadabsorbed largely all
the elements of air and water, but particularly of
carbon, of which coal contains on an average from
80 to 90 per cent. Carbon united with oxygen
formed carbonic acid, which, combined with lime
and solidified, formed more than two-fifths of all
limestone rocks. Oxygen was said to form half of
what is known of the material of the globe. Be-
sides existing in air and water, it formed a part of
most earthy substances, and of nearly all the pro-
ductions of the animal and vegetable kingdom.
The solvent power of water was very great, and
acted particularly on the calcareous and alkaline
elements of stone, especially when it held carbonic
acid in solution, which was abundantly supplied to
almost every large river by springs, and was col-
lected by rain from the atmosphere. The oxygen
of the atmosphere was also gradually absorbed by
all animal and vegetable productions and by almost
all mineral masses exposed to the open air.
Hence the equilibrium of the elements of rocks
was destroyed and. finally reduced into powder ,And
rendered fit for soils. From such facts as he had
adduced, and others, Mr. Wilson concluded that
there was a gradual solidifying of the aqueous
vapours, and consequently of water, on the face of
this terrestrial world, which he inferred was ap-
proaching a state in which it will be impossible for
man to continue an inhabitant. Yet, he added, we
should feel satisfied with the prospect that the
term of our occupation is not yet half expired.
Races preceded us in the chain of existence, and
there was no reason to suppose that others would
not follow. Indeed, some of those that are destined
to succeed seem to be already in existence, and
have their home in the icy sea, where they enjoy a
climate which exceeds man's endurance. Various
considerations lead to the conclusion that the fit-
ness of the earth for man may extend to a periol
much longer than that in which it has been occu-
pied by him, nor will that term end till after the
Polar bear, the walrus, and the narwal have be-
come inhabitants of the tropics.
Sir R. MURCHISON said that whatever was
thought of Mr. Wilson's theory his facts were very
good. (Hear.) It was certainly not a very plea-
sant idea to think that our race was to go out of
existence—that it was to die through thirst. (Hear,
hear, and laughter.) Geologists would be disposed
not at all to agree with Mr. Wilson in disavowing
the influence of the elevation of land in causing
some of the effects alluded to ; but they certainly
believed that the quantity of water now "misting
was very much what it was when the world began.
(Applause.)
This morning the proceedings in section E (Geo-
graphy and Ethnology), were commenced by Lieut.-
Colonel James, R.E. the superintendent of the
Ordnance Survey, delivering a brief address " On
his Geometrical Projection of Two-thirds of the
Surface of the Earth."
Dr. NORTON SHAW next read a communication
which had been received by. Sir R. Murchison from
Mr. Asa Whitney, of New York, " On the Forma-
tion of a Railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Ocean, through the British Possessions of North
America." The writer stated that he had for a
number of years exerted himself to induce the
Government of the United States to construct a
railway to the Pacific through their own posses-
sions, but, as there was now no probability of their
doing so, he desired to urge the English Govern-
ment to avail themselves of the territory which
they possess in North America to undertake the
work, being convinced that it would be attended
with very great advantages, and would give Eng-
land a control over the commerce with all Asia.
The PRESIDENT said, he should be much de-
lighted to see such a project carried into execution,
but he thought it very probable that public men
might entertain serious objections to it at the pre-
sent time. There might be considerable inter-
national difficulties in the way ; for instance, it
might be found impossible to construct the line with-
out deviating a little into the territory of the United
States, and it was very desirable that any mixed
interest should be avoided.- (Hear.) He could say
nothing further upon the subject than this, that it
would ;,be his duty to communicate the paper to
Lord Derby, and he hoped it would receive his
lordship's earnest consideration. (Hear, hear.) If it
should be possible that the colonial Government of
Canada, aided by the Home Government, could en-
tertain the project, the object of Mr. Asa Whitney
would be fully answered. He (the chairman)
feared—and he believed this was the opinion of
most English people—that the Government could
not do anything in the matter, and the scheme
seemed too gigantic for any joint-stock company to
undertake. He certainly hoped, for the interest of
Europe and the nations of the world generally, that
something, somehow or other, should be done sooner
or later to realise the project. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. R. MONCKTON MILNES, M.P., said, the de-
velopment of British Columbia and the adjoining
island (Vancouver's Island) would certainly give to
such a project as had been described a prospect of
reality which otherwise would have been very
visionary. He thought it most probable, if such a
scheme was to be realised in British territory, it
should begin at that point at which one would
naturally suppose it should have ended, namely, on
the Vancouver's Island side, and not on the Halifax
side.
General CHESNEY then read a paper " On the
Extension of our Communication by means of Elec-
tric Wires," and a discussion afterwards arose, in
the course of which Sir Henry Rawlinson expressed
his belief that within the next 12 months there
would be perfect telegraphic communication be-
tween England and India.
It being now three o'clock the discussion on these
ethnological subjects was, after a few observations
from Admiral Fitzroy and Sir IL Rawlinson, post-
poned till this day.
The sittings of the sections will conclude this
day (Tuesday), and the closing meeting of the Asso-
ciation will be held to-morrow (Wednesday). This
evening Professor Owen will give a discourse in
the Town-hall " On the Fossil Quadrupeds of Aus-
tralia."

VALENTIA, SEPT. 24.
Since my last communication no improvement
has taken place in the electrical condition of the
Atlantic cable, nor indeed until within the last few
days have any operations or experiments (beyond
those the results of which have already been com-
municated) been undertaken to ascertain the nature
of the leakage in the cable, or the possibility of
working through it in its present condition. Up to
yesterday everything remained in state quo. During
each alternate hour the regular succession of signals
previously alluded to are despatched, and during
the intervals the galvanometers of Professor Thom-
son are watched for some indications of currents
from the other side; but these, unfortunately, are
seldom seen at all, and still more rarely can these
slight deflections be depended on as currents from
Newfoundland. However, there is still this much
cause for satisfaction that the fault does not get
worse at any time, while it occasionally for a time
improves, considerable and distinct " reversals"
from Newfoundland being discernible. The opinion
prevalent among many here that the principal fault
in the cable is comparatively near shore daily gains
ground, and, though Professor Thomson's opinion is
directly opposed to such a supposition, I cannot
help thinking that there really is more in it than
was at first supposed. For the reasons given in my
last letter there is, no doubt, ft fault existing in the
cable iiper( the bank which divides the.shore watei•
(vim the depths of the Atlantic,- about 220 mileS-
from the -Irish coast; but this fault, without the
existence of several minor faults nearer shore would
not account for the total interruption of the currents
sent from either termini. All that Professor,
Thomson, Mr. Henley, or Mr. Varley can say re-
specting the fault is that it gives a resistance to
the electric current equal to 300 miles 'of the
cable. But it does not therefore follow that
the interruption is 300 miles away ; for,
by passing the current through a few
yards of fine wire, or a basin of salt water, the very
same amount of resistance can be produced. Though
the distant fault may tend to interrupt the small
portion of the electric , current which passes the
nearer faults, yet, if these more accessible ones were
repaired, it is the opinion of many here competent
to judge of the matter that the supposed loss of in-
sulation out at sea.would not materially affect the
working of the line. The more recent advices from
Newfoundland decidedly tend to strengthen the
opinion that the main interruption is close to this
place. Mr. Cyrus Field, in writing from America,
says that " no messages have been received from
Ireland since the Ist inst., though the insulation of
the cable remains perfect." Now, according to the
experiments of Prof. Thomson and others, it has
been ascertained that a loss of insulation 300 miles
from either shore would affect the currents sent
from both ends equally, whereas if the defect were
close to either shore the loss of insulation would
only be apparent at the terminus nearest to it. A
very similar defect to the present occurred a short
time ago in one of the North Sea cables. Mr. Varley
and other scientific gentlemen tested the cable, and
pronounced the defect to be 170 miles off. The
cable was accordingly underrun and cut at a dis-
tance of 30 miles from the shore, when it was found
that the defect was much nearer, and after a variety
of other experiments had been tried the faulty
place in the cable was discovered, not out at sea at
all, but actually in the portion of the cable buried
in the beach. The above incident, which I believe
to be substantially correct, should teach the autho-
rities of the Atlantic Telegraph Company not to
pronounce their scheme a failure until the theoreti-
cal experiments (which are but uncertain guides,
no matter how ably conducted) are verified in some
measure by practical tests. The practical tests can-
not be obtained without underrunning and cutting
the cable for some distance from the coast. This
operation will undoubtedly require fine weather to
render it certainly successful. The usual season
of fine weather, of which there has been very
little this year upon the coast, is now almost over,
and people down here already begin to look out
for the commencement of those violent storms
which render these parts of the Irish coast exciting
if not amusing places of residence during the win-
ter time. During October, which here as well as
in other parts of the United Kingdom is usually a
a fine month, much might be done towards under-
running and repairing at least some of the damaged
portion of the cable. There is certainly no time to
be lost, for every week that the cable remains at
the bottom diminishes the chances of its being raised
from the more considerable depths should it be ne-
cessary to do so. The Cork steamer, which arrived
here on Monday last, brought Mr. Henley's gigantic
magneto-electric machines, which as soon as they
were landed were put together and got into opera-
tion on the following day. The machines are a
slight modification of the magneto-electric machines
which in place of batteries are used for working
over all the telegraph lines in Ireland, though of
course on a gigantic scale, being the largest and
most powerful instruments of the kind yet con-
structed. The two permanent magnets, from which
the electric induction is obtained, are each com-
posed of 30 horse-shoe steel magnets two feet and
a half long and from four to five inches broad. The
induction coils attached to these each contain about
six miles of wire. Some idea of the power of this
instrument may be gathered from the fact that one
shock from it, if passed through the human body,
would be sufficient to destroy life. With the aid of
this instrument Mr. Henley hopes to be able to
work through the cable during some part of each
day, even if the fault should prove irreparable. The
smaller instruments of the same kind, which are
used by the Magnetic Telegraph Company, have
been found to work better over badly insulated
lines than any other description of instrument.
What is undoubtedly true of faulty overground
lines may prove so also of the Atlantic cable ; and
certainly, as far as the experiments have already
gone, Mr. Henley's instrument seems likely to
work through the line in its present condition if
anything will do it. A variety of experiments
have been tried lately, both by Professor Thomson
and Mr. Henley, to discover the relative power of
different electrical currents to pass a fault. For
this purpose the wire connected with the cable was
stripped of its gutta percha covering in one place
and the fault immersed in water. The relative
amount of electricity which passed by the fault
into the cable was accurately measuredby a delicate
an
inch long
on
galvanometer. It was found that a current of
tivah of
passing
nsin by g a ;
elec-
tricity direct from the battery cells was hardly per-
bcerpetaikbliny
trbedeuincesdalaon an nt
eiitgyht after in q
the induced current from Mr. Henley's magneto-
electric machine was slightly interrupted in passing
the same fault, but the high tension induced coil
currents, which have been used from the first in
sending messages from both sides of the ocean, were
found to be almost entirely stopped by it. These
experiments, besides showing the kind of electricity
best adapted for working through the cable in its
present defective state, also show most conclusively
that one defect in the insulation, however great,
would not be sufficient to interrupt the communica-
tion ; so that there must be several faulty places in
the line. That some if not the majority, of these
places are close to the land there can be very little
doubt. The soundings from Valentia for about 60
miles to sea show a rocky and irregular bottom,
which, indeed, the precipitous cliffs which line the
[ADVERNISMIENT.]—HoIIoway's Ointment.—The most coast, and the numerous lofty islands which sur-
soothing, cooling, searching, and healing application hi- round it in all directions, would show without the
therto discovered. The properties of the unguents used
use of the sea lead. Over these submarine hills and
by the people of the East have for ages past had the praise
of all who have witnessed their miraculous effects ; but, valleys avery strong current sweeps, to resist which
notwithstanding their great excellence, their curative it would require a cable at least three times as thick
powers are not so manifest, their admirers not so numerous,
their virtues not so widely celebrated as those of Holloway's as the one now in use. The small piece of the At-
extraordinary ointment. It is known, used, and appreciated lantic cable which connects Valentia Island with the
in every part of the globe. It cures all eruptions, wounds,
sores, ulcers, and tumours. It gives motion to stiff joints, mainland, a distance of about an English mile, is
restores the despairing to health and the enjoyments of repeatedly being cut and injured by the tide drift-
ife, when all its pleasures seemto have mashed from lug it
across the rocky bottom, and it is quite pos-
forayer.